Navy employee critically injured in Florida shark attack
#SharkAttack #FloridaNewsA Navy base employee in Florida was critically injured by a shark while swimming during a lunch break near a marina. The victim suffered severe arm injuries and underwent surgery. Authorities are investigating the attack, which occurred at Naval Support Activity Panama City. read more
Florida pastor arrested for neglecting five children
#ChildNeglect #FloridaNewsFlorida pastor Gwendolyn Rolle faces five felony counts for allegedly forcing five foster kids to use a bucket as a toilet, bathe with a garden hose, and eat ramen while her biological daughter ate KFC. read more
Florida to Execute Killer Who Set Neighbor on Fire
#CapitalPunishment #FloridaNewsFlorida man Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, is set for execution for the 1990 murder of neighbor Marlys Sather. He burglarized her home, assaulted her, and set her on fire. This marks Florida's fifth execution in 2026. read more
DUI Suspect Tries Gift Card as ID
#DrunkDriving #FloridaNewsA Florida woman, 52, was arrested for drunk driving after going the wrong way. When pulled over, she mistakenly presented a Barnes & Noble gift card instead of her driver's license to the deputy. She failed a field sobriety test. read more
Hero Saves Double Murder Suspect from Ocean
#FloridaNews #CrimeUpdateA Florida woman rescued a struggling swimmer, later identified as double murder suspect Jesse Ellis. Unaware of his alleged crimes, she helped him ashore. Ellis remains at large, with police warning the public not to approach him. read more
Ex-Meteorologist Sued Over Rival Weather Business
#MediaLawsuit #FloridaNewsFlorida's WINK News sues ex-meteorologist Matt Devitt for $100,000, alleging he built a competing weather business using company resources and recruited colleagues while employed. The lawsuit disputes his claim that his firing was unexpected. read more
Vice Mayor Slain; Husband Faces Murder Charge
#DomesticViolence #FloridaNewsCoral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen was found dead at home. Her husband is charged with premeditated murder in a domestic violence case. She was the city's first Black and Haitian American female commissioner and an environmental scientist. read more
Panicked Cocaine Toss Foils Florida Drug Deal
#DrugBust #FloridaNewsA panicked customer threw a bag of cocaine at a suspected dealer's face as police arrived in Daytona Beach. Officers arrested three individuals, recovering 831 grams of cocaine, cash, and firearms. read more
Trump Airport, Towering Library Unveiled in Florida
#Trump #FloridaNewsA Florida airport is cleared to be renamed for former President Donald Trump. Separately, Trump revealed digital renderings for a planned Miami skyscraper that will house his presidential library, featuring a dramatic tower and signature branding. read more
Florida Election Volunteer Stole Training Key
#ElectionSecurity #FloridaNewsA Florida election volunteer was arrested for stealing an encrypted voter terminal key during training. The key accessed only training databases. The suspect, who expressed anti-Trump views online, was found with the key and other equipment at his home. read more
Siblings Charged in Florida Base Bomb Plot
#FloridaNews #NationalSecuritySiblings Alen and Ann Mary Zheng were charged after an explosive device was found outside Florida's MacDill Air Force Base on March 16. He faces explosive charges; she is accused of witness tampering and being an accessory. read more
Floridas Rocket Man Sparks Bomb Squad Scare
#RocketMan #FloridaNewsA Florida man was stopped after drivers reported missiles on his truck. Authorities, dubbing him "," called the bomb squad. The devices were determined to be safe plastic models for events. The driver was advised on proper transport. read more
Florida Cousin Marriage Ban Fails
#FloridaNews #MarriageLawsA bill to ban marriage between first cousins in Florida failed to pass the state Senate, leaving it legal. The state is one of 16 without such restrictions. The legislation stalled as lawmakers ran out of time. read more
Grim Reaper Patches Worn at Florida Immigrant Camp
#ImmigrationDetention #FloridaNewsGuards at Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigrant detention facility reportedly wear unauthorized Grim Reaper patches. The hastily built camp faces lawsuits over poor conditions and environmental violations. A federal order to shut it down was overturned, with ongoing legal battles. read more
Deputy Fired for Stalking Woman After TV Set Meeting
#PoliceMisconduct #FloridaNewsA Florida deputy was fired and arrested for using police databases to track a woman he met on a TV set, then pulling her over in an unauthorized stop. He admitted to improperly accessing her information. read more
Florida Firefighters Rescue Python Trapped in Car Dashboard
#AnimalRescue #FloridaNewsA Florida woman sought firefighters' help after her pet python chased a rat into her car's dashboard. The Coral Springs crew successfully extracted the snake from under the driver's seat, calling it a "slithery situation." read more
#DeathPenalty #FloridaNews
Florida executed Billy Leon Kearse for the 1991 murder of Officer Danny Parrish. He became the state's third execution this year. Kearse seized Parrish's gun during a traffic stop struggle, firing 14 times. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal. read more
Taco Seasoning Scheme Steals $40K in Cards
#RetailCrime #FloridaNewsA Florida man faces up to 90 years for allegedly using cheap taco seasoning packets to conceal and steal over $40,000 in trading cards from Target self-checkouts. He is charged with organized retail theft and money laundering. read more
Florida Man Survives Days Trapped in Quicksand
#RescueMission #FloridaNewsA Florida man missing since Valentine's Day was rescued after days trapped in shoulder-deep quicksand at a sand plant. Emergency crews worked for hours in freezing conditions to free him before he was airlifted to a trauma center in critical condition. read more
Florida Executes Inmate in 1986 Murder Case
#CapitalPunishment #FloridaNewsFlorida executed Melvin Trotter, 65, for the 1986 murder of a grocery store owner. It was the state's second execution this year, following a record 19 in 2025 under Governor DeSantis. Appeals citing age and protocol were denied. read more
Florida Executes 65-Year-Old for 1986 Murder
#DeathPenalty #FloridaNewsFlorida executed 65-year-old Melvin Trotter for a 1986 murder. His attorneys argued his age should exempt him. This is Florida's second execution this year, following a record 19 in 2025 under Governor DeSantis. read more
Florida Pizzeria Pulls Viral Iguana Pizza
#FloridaNews #FoodRegulationA Florida pizzeria halts sales of its viral iguana-meat pizza due to regulatory concerns. The "Everglades Pizza" became popular after iguanas were stunned by a cold snap. Health Department complaints forced the pause as licensing issues are resolved. read more
Jet Hits Deer on Takeoff, Makes Emergency Landing
#AviationIncident #FloridaNewsA private jet struck multiple deer during takeoff from a Florida airport, forcing an emergency landing. The Cessna Citation, carrying seven passengers, landed safely with no injuries. The pilot reported hitting four or five animals on the nose gear and wings. read more
Heroic Dive Saves Mom and Unborn Baby from Sinking Car
#HeroicRescue #FloridaNewsA Florida man rescued a pregnant woman from her sinking car in a frigid pond. Sheldy Apollon, experiencing dizziness, accidentally drove into the water. Logan Hayes dove in, pulling her to safety hours before she gave birth via emergency C-section. read more
Florida Executes Inmate, Continues Record Death Penalty Push
#CapitalPunishment #FloridaNewsRonald Palmer Heath, 64, was executed in Florida for the 1989 murder of a traveling salesman. This is Florida's first execution in 2026, following a record 19 last year under Governor DeSantis. Two more executions are scheduled. read more
Floridians Eat Invasive Iguanas in Viral Trend
#InvasiveSpecies #FloridaNewsA Florida man's viral TikTok shows him making tacos from a frozen iguana, dubbing it "Chicken of the Trees." While killing invasive iguanas is legal, selling their meat is not, as a pizza shop's iguana pie is for demonstration only. read more
Florida Executes First Inmate of 2026 in 1989 Murder
#DeathPenalty #FloridaNewsFlorida's first 2026 execution is scheduled for Ronald Heath, convicted of the 1989 murder of traveling salesman Michael Sheridan during a robbery. This follows a state-record 19 executions in 2025 under Governor DeSantis. Two more executions are set for February and March. read more
Longtime AP Editor Robert Hobbs Remembered for Mentorship and Dedication
#LarryHobbs #FloridaNewsRobert Larry Hobbs, an Associated Press editor who guided Florida news coverage for over three decades, passed away at 83. Known for his calm demeanor and institutional memory, he played a crucial role in major news events. read more