Teen planned to kill jogger, keep victim's body in closet 'to play with,' deputies say

A Florida teenager has been arrested after deputies said he concocted a scheme to kill a man and keep possession of his body in a closet "to fulfill his sexual fantasies.”

Video shows Cleveland Browns player Malik McDowell's arrest in Florida

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell was arrested in Florida on Monday after allegedly exposing himself near a learning center and violently attacking an officer, according to a report and police records. 

FHP: Sebring woman charged with DUI in wrong-way crash that killed man, 4-year-old

A 45-year-old Sebring woman hit a car head-on, killing the man who was driving and a 4-year-old girl, according to FHP. A female passenger and two other children in the car were also seriously injured.

Man leads Orange County deputies to body after slashing, carjacking another victim, officials say

Alexander Acs, 33, was booked into the Orange County Jail on Monday on a first degree murder charge and is expected to have attempted murder and robbery/carjacking charges added as well.

‘Where turning 5 is a pleasure’: Lakeland boy celebrates birthday with Publix-themed party

A Lakeland family pulled out all the stops for their son's 5th birthday party. He loves Publix and no detail was left out for his Publix-themed party, which included creating a store inside their home with a kid-sized scale, aprons, debit cards, and shopping carts for the little ones.

Artist auctions lipstick painting of Betty White to benefit Humane Society of Tampa Bay

On what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday, Sarasota-based artist Alexis 'Lipstick Lex' Fraser started auctioning off a portrait of the actress that was painted using only lipstick.

Diana Ross, Khalid headline Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras 2022 concerts

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras returns next month and the resort promises “star-studded live concerts, a spectacular Mardi Gras parade, and savory cuisine inspired by diverse flavors from around the world.”

Winter makes final return home as CMA staff release ashes into Gulf of Mexico

Passing an urn made of Himalayan Sea salt one to the next, staff from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium said their final goodbyes as the cremated remains of Winter the dolphin were released into the Gulf of Mexico Thursday morning. 

Brandon woman arrested for giving car keys to intoxicated friend who caused deadly I-4 crash, deputies say

Polk County investigators made a second arrest stemming from a deadly DUI crash in November, saying nine minutes before the collision, a Brandon woman handed the driver car keys knowing she was intoxicated, they said.

Florida, eh? Why snowbirds in Canada love heading south

For years, the Sunshine State has been a prime destination for Canadians seeking to escape the North’s cold winter months — and, in doing so, they make a significant impact on the local culture and economy.

Hernando deputies search for person who cinched zip-tie around dog's neck

Disturbing photos show the moments before and after Hernando County Animal Services removed a large white zip tie found tightly fastened around a dog's neck. Animal services found him after multiple Brooksville residents called to report what they saw. 

Miami couple accused of kidnapping, torturing man for 3 days

Police in Miami say the couple kidnapped a man, then chained him and tortured him for three days in their apartment. At one point, investigators said the suspects forced the victim to drink a mixture of rum and bleach. When a good Samaritan found him, they initially thought he had been shot or stabbed.

Convicted sex offender rapes disabled woman in Sarasota parking lot, deputies say

A convicted sex offender is accused of raping a non-verbal woman with autism in a Sarasota parking lot while her mother was inside a store, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. 

Florida abortion laws: GOP's proposed bill would ban abortions after 15 weeks

Most abortions would be banned in Florida after 15 weeks of pregnancy under bills filed Tuesday by Republicans on the first day of the state’s annual legislative session.

Teen who received life-saving transplant reacts to medical breakthroughs using pig organs

A human donor saved the life of 15-year-old Wilfre Mercedes. Today, after doctors successfully transplanted a pig's heart into a human patient, Mercedes is hopeful thousands of others on transplant waiting lists can go on living, just like he did.