Young father shot and killed while protecting his baby in Miami Beach restaurant

A 21-year-old father on vacation in South Florida was eating dinner with his family at a South Beach restaurant when a man came in and pointed a gun at his 1-year-old son. When the dad stood between the gunman and his baby and said, "He's only a boy," the suspect shot him multiple times. The man later told police he did it because he was "high on mushrooms."

Florida woman hospitalized with COVID-19 comes home to find husband dead of COVID-19

A Central Florida woman fought for her life in the hospital, survived, and thought she'd seen the worst of COVID -- until she went home and made a shocking discovery.

Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates

The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.

Tampa pediatric nurse, mother of 3, dies from COVID-19

Nikki Bass' life revolved around children; her three girls -- Ally, Sierra and Hannah – and the children she treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She wasn't vaccinated and contracted COVID-19 as pediatric cases surged in her hospital. Now, at 38, she's gone and her family is left to pick up the pieces.

Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications

Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.

Decorated Polk County deputy dies from COVID-19

A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.

Rep. Matt Gaetz elopes to California, marries girlfriend

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida eloped to Southern California, marrying his girlfriend Ginger Luckey on Saturday in a small ceremony on Catalina Island.

Ease your mask mandates or pay up, Fla. Board of Education warns districts

Florida’s commissioner of education says he’ll withhold the salaries of school board members in two districts found to be in violation of the governor’s executive order banning mask mandates, but the Biden administration says the districts can draw on federal funds.

Judge won’t dismiss parents' lawsuit over Florida governor's school mask-mandate ban

A Leon County judge on Thursday denied a motion from the state asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by parents, including several in Tampa Bay, that claims Gov. Ron DeSantis' order banning school mask mandates is unconstitutional.

2 orphaned manatees being nursed at SeaWorld Orlando

Life without a mom isn’t easy. These calves have a lot of growing to do before they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

DeSantis' top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.

20 bus drivers quit during first week of school in one Florida county

Many of Florida’s largest school districts are finding it difficult because of the pandemic to hire enough bus drivers, with some using managers and other stop-gap measures to get students to class as the new school year begins.

Police say woman on Zoom call fatally shot by toddler

A woman on a Zoom call is believed to have been fatally shot by a toddler who found a loaded handgun, which was left unsecured, police say.

Polk sheriff: Murder suspect, wife illegally towed vehicles belonging to 'poor, hardworking' residents

The owners of a Mulberry towing company – a husband and wife – are facing charges after illegally towing vehicles from a mobile home park, according to Polk County detectives. One of those owners was previously charged with murder.