APOLLO BEACH, Fla. – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is on the scene of a sailboat fire in Apollo Beach. According to officials, at 4:46 PM, the emergency dispatch center received 911 calls from individuals reporting a 45-foot sailboat on fire. First arriving units found a…
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Appeals Court Weighs Case That Shields Florida Gov. DeSantis’ Admin From Releasing Records
In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the state’s public records laws, an appeals court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to a judge’s ruling that “executive privilege” shields Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration from releasing records. The appeal stems from a public records…
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Trump, Jack Smith’s Classified Documents Case In Florida Delayed Indefinitely
Judge Aileen Cannon has indefinitely postponed the trial date in the case involving former President Donald Trump’s classified documents in Florida. “The Court also determines that finalization of a trial date at this juncture — before resolution of the myriad and interconnected pre-trial and CIPA…
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Florida Gov. DeSantis Says ‘No Plans’ For Special Session
Amid widespread speculation about lawmakers possibly returning to Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he has “no plans” to call a special session but would back stricter immigration measures from the Republican-controlled Legislature. “I have no plans to call a special session. You know, I’ve…
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Henderson Hammock Charter School Teacher, Security Officer Arrested In Case Of Molested Student
TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Henderson Hammock Charter School teacher for inappropriate conduct against a student. According to investigators, on May 6, 2024, detectives arrested Johnathan Sheppard, 38, for inappropriately touching a student and for sending inappropriate text messages…
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Florida Sen. Rubio And New York Sen. Gillibrand Intro Bill For Human Trafficking Survivors
Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation that affects countless individuals worldwide, with the United States being no exception. Despite the nation’s efforts to combat this scourge, a troubling reality persists: many victims of human trafficking are themselves criminalized and prosecuted for offenses they…
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Inmate Death Investigation In Hillsborough County Underway
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an inmate. On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, detention staff at the Falkenburg Road Jail conducted a well-being check on Levitacus Cymande Riggins, 50, at which time he was found unresponsive. Deputies…
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Florida Man Kills A Husband And Wife In Their Front Yard Over Basketball Hoop
A community in Florida was rocked by a devastating tragedy on Saturday evening. What began as a seemingly innocuous argument between neighbors over a basketball hoop and property lines escalated into a shocking double homicide, leaving the local residents and authorities alike grappling with the…
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Florida Agriculture
It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week — Innovative Technology To Evaluate Forest Damage Helps With Rapid Response Post-Storm
With Hurricane Preparedness Week kicking off today, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers are preparing for hurricane season with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment that will help them determine how extensively forests are damaged during individual hurricanes. When hurricanes careen through Florida, they…
780 Wildfires Have Burned 18,740 Acres In Florida So Far In 2024
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are highlighting the dangers of wildfire arson during Arson Awareness Week, May 5-11, 2024, reminding Floridians how they can help report suspicious fire activity in Florida’s wildlands and forests. “It only takes a spark…
Politics
Appeals Court Weighs Case That Shields Florida Gov. DeSantis’ Admin From Releasing Records
In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the state’s public records laws, an appeals court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to a judge’s ruling that “executive privilege” shields Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration from releasing records. The appeal stems from a public records…
Job News
Jobless Rate In Florida Inches Up
Matching its highest level in two years, Florida’s unemployment rate has ticked up to 3.2 percent after holding steady for three consecutive months at 3.1 percent. The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday estimated 353,000 Floridians were out of work and actively seeking employment in…
Lottery
Georgia Woman Wins Whopping $2 Million On Florida Lottery Monopoly Scratch-Off Game
The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Lavoncis Armstrong, 64, of Riverdale, Georgia, claimed a $2 million top prize from the $10 MONOPOLY DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Armstrong chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,597,848.00. Armstrong purchased…
Florida Lottery Announces New Lineup Of Games For Grouper And Grouper Super Sampler
The Florida Lottery revealed Tuesday an enhanced series of games accompanying every GROUPER® and GROUPER® Super Sampler package play purchase. With these new games, players now have increased opportunities to win big while spending less! Unlock incredible value with each GROUPER package play, receiving $6…
Cold Case
Missing, Endangered 76-Year-Old Woman Located Safe
TAMPA, Fla. – 76-year-old Felicita Soto-Arocho has been located safely and reunited with her family, according to Tampa Police Department. Tampa Police were searching for 76-year-old Felicite Soto-Aroccho. Police say she was last seen wearing a green T-shirt with a multi-colored flowered print and tan…
Florida Agriculture
It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week — Innovative Technology To Evaluate Forest Damage Helps With Rapid Response Post-Storm
With Hurricane Preparedness Week kicking off today, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers are preparing for hurricane season with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment that will help them determine how extensively forests are damaged during individual hurricanes. When hurricanes careen through Florida, they…
780 Wildfires Have Burned 18,740 Acres In Florida So Far In 2024
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are highlighting the dangers of wildfire arson during Arson Awareness Week, May 5-11, 2024, reminding Floridians how they can help report suspicious fire activity in Florida’s wildlands and forests. “It only takes a spark…
This Mother’s Day, Consider Giving Mom The Experience Of UF/IFAS Extension
Pondering a gift for Mother’s Day? Does she enjoy nature or gardening? How about healthy lifestyles? Why not consider a unique experience gift this year? Through Extension, UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) offers a wide array of programs, including demonstration gardens,…