Lakeland FL

TAMPA, Fla. - A new Barbie doll is making headlines for inclusiveness, and two women from the Tampa Bay area are helping lead the conversation. Mattel this week introduced an "Autistic Barbie," the latest addition to the company’s diversity-focused lineup. To mark the release, the toy maker spotlighted Madison...

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland man found himself in handcuffs Tuesday after detectives say he turned his employer’s credit card into a personal spending account. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) arrested 37-year-old Steven Douglas Carter at his home on Kinsman Way, closing the book on a fraud investigation that...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Wednesday marks the second day of Florida’s 2026 regular legislative session, and lawmakers are turning their focus to Florida’s growing teacher shortage. What we know:. Today, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 320, a wide-ranging education package that includes...

PLANT CITY, Fla. — You may notice more produce stands around Hillsborough County. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) says more people are showing an interest in growing their own food and are winding up with plenty to sell, too. Francisco Manzano prides...

LITHIA, Fla. - Residents living near Boyette Road in Lithia say what they call a sports complex operating on land zoned "agricultural rural" is changing the character of their community. What we know:. Homeowners say increased noise, bright lights and activity are impacting both their quality of life and nearby...

The Sarasota Police Department recently arrested three people on multiple charges ranging from illegal weapons to sexual assault of a minor. On Jan. 8, the SPD’s SWAT, Community Action Team and Strategic Investigations Unit executed a search and arrest warrant at a home at 1579 28th St. The warrants...

If you’ve walked through downtown Lakeland lately and spotted a new cornhole setup tucked beneath the oak trees in Munn Park, you’re not alone — and you didn’t miss an announcement. Munn Park got the new game last month, installed quietly by the city’s Parks, Recreation...

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A patrol by a Winter Haven police officer early Tuesday morning spiraled from a traffic infraction into a pursuit, a foot chase, and the eventual capture of a man wanted by federal marshals. The incident began at approximately 2:52 a.m. on January 13, 2026. An...

BARTOW, Fla. — The Florida Education Association (FEA) is calling it a “retention crisis at a breaking point,” after reviewing the number of teacher and instructional staff vacancies at schools across the state. FEA reviewed county-by-county vacancy data as of January, and with 412 vacancies, it lists...

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Lakeland hotel operator has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve federal allegations that it discriminated against an employee due to a disability, creating an environment that ultimately forced the worker to resign. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the settlement on Tuesday...