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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tampa man released from jail 31 years after misidentification leads to wrongful conviction
Tony Hopps was released from prison after 31 years behind bars when an investigation uncovered new evidence showing he was wrongfully convicted.
Tony Hopps was released from prison after 31 years behind bars when an investigation uncovered new evidence showing he was wrongfully convicted.
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.
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.
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.
Orlando asks residents to limit water consumption due to COVID-19 impacts
The City of Orlando is asking residents to reduce water consumption due to COVID-19.
The City of Orlando is asking residents to reduce water consumption due to COVID-19.
'Min wage = mediocre person': Florida deli's hiring sign sparks backlash
The photo received over 75,000 reactions and thousands of retweets.
The photo received over 75,000 reactions and thousands of retweets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tim Tebow cut from Jacksonville Jaguars after preseason loss, marking end of NFL comeback attempt
Tim Tebow has been cut from the Jacksonville Jaguars after their first preseason game, ending his attempted comeback in the NFL as a tight end.
Tim Tebow has been cut from the Jacksonville Jaguars after their first preseason game, ending his attempted comeback in the NFL as a tight end.
'There's blood everywhere': 911 calls released after woman is killed by toddler on Zoom call
Police said that the woman died after her toddler was handling a loaded gun and shot her during a Zoom call.
Police said that the woman died after her toddler was handling a loaded gun and shot her during a Zoom call.
VIDEO: Alligator stops traffic while casually crossing busy Orlando road
The video racked up over 200,000 views.
The video racked up over 200,000 views.
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.
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.
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.



















