Attorney: Parkland school shooter was a ‘damaged person’

The lead attorney for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz told the jury in his penalty trial Monday they have witnessed “things that will haunt them for the rest of their lives,” but they now need to learn what led him to massacre 17 people four years ago before they can decide whether he is sentenced […]

Fauci says he’s stepping down in December for ‘next chapter’ of career

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s preeminent infectious disease expert who has served under seven presidents, said Monday that he will step down from his post in December to pursue the “next chapter” of his career. “I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of […]

5 killed in wrong-way crash on South Florida’s Palmetto Expressway

A man driving the wrong way on a busy South Florida highway early Saturday crashed into another car, killing all five women in the other vehicle, authorities said. The man was airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. His condition wasn’t immediately known. “Our crews had to use […]

Tampa Electric gets $500K fine, probation for deadly blast

Tampa Electric has been fined $500,000 and placed on three years of probation for a 2017 deadly explosion at a coal-fired power plant that killed five workers. The U.S. Justice Department said in a news release Friday that Tampa Electric Co. also must adhere to a new safety compliance plan. The fine is the maximum […]

DeSantis

Non-prosecution of low-level offenses dropped in Tampa

The practice by a Florida prosecutor, who was suspended from his job by Gov. Ron DeSantis, of not prosecuting suspended licenses, disorderly conduct and other low-level misdemeanors has been dropped by his successor. Susan Lopez who was appointed as state attorney for the Tampa area after DeSantis removed Andrew Warren from office told her staff […]

Defense in school shooter’s trial set to present its case

The prosecution spent three weeks telling jurors how Nikolas Cruz murdered 14 students and three staff members at a Florida high school four years ago. Now his attorneys will get their chance to present why they believe he did it, hoping to get him sentenced to life without parole instead of death. Melisa McNeill, Cruz’s […]

ex-Miami congressman

New claims against ex-Miami congressman hired by Venezuela

A former Miami congressman who signed a $50 million consulting contract with Venezuela’s socialist government not only did no apparent work, but also channeled a large chunk of the money to a yacht company on behalf of a fugitive billionaire, according to new allegations in a civil suit. The accusations against former Congressman David Rivera […]

firefighter

Firefighter fired for anti-police note after officer killed

A South Florida firefighter has been fired after anti-police comments he made in a group message following the fatal shooting of a police officer were posted to social media. Miami Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban said Friday that a Miami firefighter was responsible for the posts that were circulated following Monday’s shooting of Det. Cesar Echaverry, […]

Landlords try to stop rent control initiative in Florida

Ballots haven’t even been printed yet, but already a group of landlords and real estate agents in Florida want to stop voters from deciding on a measure that would implement rent control for a year in the theme park hub that has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. The Florida Apartment […]

Crist Pitches His Chances of Beating DeSantis

On a muggy afternoon about an hour’s drive from the state Capitol, roughly three-dozen supporters fought off the heat and insects as Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist made his pitch this week before Tuesday’s primary election. Crist, a St. Petersburg congressman, squeezed in the visit to Madison County between campaign stops in Jacksonville and Tallahassee […]