Student journalism from the University of South Florida's Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications
In this news brief: St. Pete mayor Rick Kriseman announces a new plan to name a library after President Barack Obama; statewide vigils are being held tonight to honor the victims of the Parkland shooting; 26 unlicensed contractors are arrested in Operation Drop the Hammer; the Tampa Downtown Partnership wants you to leave your car at home this week.
In this news brief: an attempted kidnapping leads to increased police presence in a St. Petersburg neighborhood; Hillsborough County detectives need your help identifying two home invasion suspects; the founder of the 1-800-ASK-Gary hotline is arrested for DUI; it’s opening day for the Florida State Fair.
In this news brief: Manatee County police are investigating a shooting that killed a man and woman; A man driving a scooter is killed in a crash; A cold snap kills 35 manatees in Florida last month; Julian B Lane Riverfront park will open on May thirteenth; Two St. Petersburg officers are moving up the ranks.
In this news brief: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has a unique way of encouraging new readers.
In this news brief: The suspect in the Seminole Heights murders is being held without bail; a homeowner shoots an intruder in Clearwater; there is a projected Christmas tree shortage; Santa’s elves and the Polk Museum of Art will help with your holiday shopping.
In this news brief: Tampa police respond to another deadly shooting in Seminole Heights; Zephyrhills police are investigating multiple gunshots fired at an officer’s cruiser and home; a skydiver is killed when his parachute fails to open; USF students visit Tallahassee for Day at the Capitol.
In this environment brief: a test used to find oil in the Gulf of Mexico could harm wildlife; a USF professor and one of her students help save one of the largest reefs in the world.
In this news brief: Hillsborough County deputies are looking for a man who shot and robbed a woman; a house fire sends two people to the hospital; firemen from around the state come together to train in real-life situations; the University of South Florida is honoring veterans.
In this news brief: Sarasota police arrest 15 people in a major undercover drug investigation; in a new phone scam, callers are claiming to be law enforcement; a Tampa man convicted of murder is scheduled to die by lethal injection; Hillsborough County students protest teachers’ wages at several Hillsborough County schools.
Eight people are arrested and charged with construction fraud in a three-month criminal investigation. Florida’s largest health insurance company is taking a major step in combating the opioid crisis. Gas prices jump 10 cents overnight. This spike comes after 47 straight days of falling prices. The historic Tampa theater is closing its doors for renovation.
In this news brief: five Sarasota schools are forced to go on lockdown; an officer-involved shooting in Clearwater ends with one man dead; an early morning motel fire in Clearwater forces 50 people to evacuate; three suspected human traffickers in Tampa are arrested as part of a nationwide investigation; TECO’s streetcars are turning 15 years old.
In this news brief: A father is charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of his son; a 54-year-old man is after a 14-year-old-gave birth to his daughter; a man is arrested and charged for setting his house on fire; baseball players with special needs will soon have a field of their own; companies around Tampa are painting the town pink.
In this military brief: the Code Vet program in Hillsborough County helps veterans bring their homes up to code enforcement standards; MacDill Air Force Base is bringing in new digitally-controlled air tankers; a local charity founded by fourth graders provides care packages to soldiers.
In the news brief: The fire that damaged an elementary school is ruled an accident; A car crash forces Tampa police to close a major intersection; Hillsborough county is working to speed up Irma storm debris removal; Bradenton is under a boil water notice; Bay area families took to the streets today in celebration of National Walk To School Day.
In this news brief: A Zephyrhills teen makes a death threat over social media; The Howard Frankland Bridge is getting a major upgrade; Florida Blue and Walgreen’s are giving away free flu shots; The Tampa Bay Rays have the lowest fan attendance in the MLB; The YMCA in downtown Tampa gets a major upgrade.
In this military brief: K-9 Partners for Patriots is a nonprofit organization that uses dog training courses to help veterans get back into civilian life.
In this news brief: crews in Pasco County are getting closer to containing four Pasco County wildfires; Pasco Sheriff’s Office is looking for two masked thieves who robbed a Wesley Chapel 7-11; a USF St. Petersburg historian is charged with child pornography; wildlife officials are asking parents to avoid buying ducks for Easter baskets; local tax service agencies like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt will have extended business hours this weekend to help you file your taxes.
In this health brief: a local health center is using ice cream to help with the cost of expensive medical treatments.
In this news brief: firefighters in Hernando County are still fighting a brush fire; a water shortage warning is in effect for South Florida; a man is in custody after he was found sleeping on a church roof; parents can now bring their obsolete car seats to Target; tax returns are due tomorrow and is bringing deals along with it.
In this news brief: several Bay Area post offices are open late today so people can make tonight’s tax day deadline; two people are injured after a boat catches on fire in Coquina Key; heavy fires inside a New Tampa Jersey Mike’s damage three neighboring businesses; an overnight house fire in Wimauma sends one person to the hospital; Tampa International Airport releases more plans for its billion-dollar renovations; the first and second rounds of March Madness are returning to Tampa in 2020.