Florida posted one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country last month, according to a newly released report from property data analytics firm ATTOM. The state ranked second nationally for foreclosure filings in May 2025, with one in every 2,536 housing units impacted. The report, released Tuesday, highlights a troubling trend for several Florida…
Last night the Florida State Parks announced the passing of Lu the hippopotamus, a cherished resident of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for more than six decades. The post stated that Lu, who recently celebrated his 65th birthday, was more than just a longtime inhabitant of the park — he was a living…
Can we save the Florida manatee before it’s too late? Well, according to the most current data from 2023, the Florida manatee population numbers around 8,800, but hundreds of them die off of Florida’s coasts every year with around another hundred ending up at rescues like Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership. Despite a gradual decrease in annual…
As Florida heats up this summer, there’s no better way to cool down than by dipping into the Sunshine State’s famous clear blue springs. With year-round temperatures averaging a refreshing 72°F, these natural swimming holes are a go-to for locals and tourists looking to beat the heat — and they’re especially perfect for summer 2025….
Legislation aimed at protecting animals during emergencies is now in the hands of Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill, known as “Trooper’s Law” (CS/SB 150), passed unanimously in both chambers of the Florida Legislature and was officially presented to the Governor on May 23, 2025. If signed into law — or allowed to pass without the…
When the television series Yellowstone first aired, it captivated viewers with its drama, scenery, and cowboy grit—but for those paying attention, it was more than just a hit show. It was a warning. A warning that Floridians—especially as car washes quietly popped up on every street corner—should have taken to heart. (Seriously, who is approving…
Flooding for coastal areas in Florida is likely to get worse, according to data from the past year. The data, provided by the National Sea Level Explorer, a government website, reveals that Florida’s sea levels have increased by 7 inches from the 1970s to the present day, highlighting the ongoing impact of climate change on…
Residents who think they can legally harvest berries from their own backyards may want to think again. Under Florida law, picking the olive-shaped fruit known as saw palmetto berries without proper authorization can result in significant fines and even criminal charges. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), officers respond to numerous…
When most people think of Florida, the images that come to mind usually include swaying palm trees, white sandy beaches, and endless sunshine. And while those visions are certainly part of the picture, they don’t tell the whole story. Beyond the paradise-like Instagram photos, there’s another side to the Sunshine State that most tourists —…
Following a recent fatal alligator attack in the Tiger Creek area of eastern Polk County, local law enforcement and wildlife officials are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution near the water. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Sergeant Michael Hill were recently photographed holding a newly installed warning sign intended to alert the public…
With year-round sunshine, a booming tourism industry, and a growing network of indie creatives, Florida is quietly becoming a haven for actors and filmmakers looking to break into the industry — without the sky-high costs and competition of Hollywood. Orlando native Dalton Burdette, 28, is part of that movement. A filmmaker who writes, directs, and produces…
On January 21, Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26, of Sebring, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States, a crime that led to a deadly boat sinking off the coast of Florida. Court documents and testimony revealed that Dominguez-Nieves, who entered the U.S. illegally, played a central role in a human smuggling…
A major collaborative effort between the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Animal Control Officers and Citrus County Animal Services has resulted in the rescue of 90 dogs from a Hernando home. Describing the living conditions as “deplorable” and “severe,” Animal Control Officers (ACO) were alerted to the situation following a routine check of the property. The…
A Florida man has less than a month to live, if court proceedings go as planned. The Florida Supreme Court has set a rapid timeline for proceedings in the case of James D. Ford, whose death sentence is under review as his execution date approaches. Ford, convicted in 1999 for a brutal double homicide in Charlotte County, Florida,…
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has officially announced that she will be stepping down from her current role to pursue a seat in the United States Senate, marking a significant career transition after years of shaping state policy and leading legal battles on behalf of Floridians. In a heartfelt statement, Moody reflected on the pride and honor…
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is speaking out following President Donald Trump’s recent decision to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) on his first day back in office, a move that comes after more than a year of frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of the issue. In a passionate post shared on social media platform X…
Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has announced that detectives are seeking tips from the public in the hopes that they may lead to the arrest of a Florida woman who pooped on the floor of a local Family Dollar and her male partner in crime who stole from the store during the…
Consumers across the U.S., including those in the state of Florida, are being urged to check their freezers after Bestway Sandwiches Inc., a company based in Valencia, California, announced a recall of approximately 24,870 pounds of their frozen chicken and cheese taquitos. Sold by a popular affordable grocer nationwide, the recall was initiated due to…
An 11-year-old Deltona boy was arrested by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) last Friday and is currently being charged with a second-degree felony for making a false report of a bomb on the bus. According to VSO, on Friday, January 10, 2025, 11-year-old Aiden Brown decided to yell out that another student on the bus had a bomb…
A local Florida family is dealing with a tragic loss tonight following a fatal attack from a pair of dogs that took the life of their 8-year-old boy north of DeLand. According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO), a witness called 911 to report the attack on Monday, January 13, 2025, just before 5 pm. While…
Collaborating detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) have arrested a 58-year-old man suspected to be involved in an extensive fraud operation. According to the January 11, 2025, press release, throughout the course of their investigation, HCSO and SCSO discovered that 58-year-old Isaac Allen was in possession of hundreds of…
After a decade-long investigation conducted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit (HCSO), detectives have officially arrested and charged three individuals in connection with the murder of a 23-year-old from Tampa.Back in March of 2014, deputies found the 23-year-old, Damien Bowie, fatally shot at the Avesto Del Rio Apartments in Tampa, located at 5013 E…
Four individuals have been indicted in connection with a large-scale conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering, involving more than $128 million in criminal proceeds. U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of the indictment on January 14, 2025, which charges Daniel Liburdi, 35, of Miami, Joseph Scotto, 44, of Bay Shore, NY, Gregory Walker,…
A new bill introduced in the Florida House of Representatives today aims to revise the state’s regulations on the size of wine containers that can be sold to consumers. The bill, which amends Section 564.05 of the Florida Statutes, seeks to adjust exceptions to the current maximum allowable capacity for individual wine containers. Under the proposed legislation,…
A new bill introduced today by Senator Lauren Polsky is aiming to strengthen Florida’s firearms laws with a series of proposed amendments to the state’s statutes. The bill, which addresses issues related to firearms, bump-fire stocks, and sentencing guidelines, seeks to redefine key terms and impose stricter penalties for firearm-related offenses. One of the primary changes outlined in…
