Lakeland FL

BRANDON, Fla. — True second chances don't come often. Andrew Emerton got his second chance at 26-years-old. Last year, when playing video games with friends, he went into sudden cardiac arrest. “One of them called 911 immediately and the other one started administering lifesaving CPR,” said Emerton. “And I...

Have you been contemplating pet adoption, or simply love perusing adorable pets? A myriad of delightful pets are available for adoption at various animal shelters in the vicinity of lakeland..

One Tampa Bay mother is sharing the story of her son's deadly overdose, in hopes of raising awareness ahead of National Drug Take Back Day. Kylie Jones reports.

Florida Polytechnic University and Lakeland-based cybersecurity company Sittadel are teaming up to launch a student-powered Security Operations Center (SOC) on Florida Poly’s campus. Sittadel was founded in 2019 by Trafenia Flynn Salzman, 35, and Joshua Sitta, 39, along with a team of cybersecurity directors and...

The City of Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) received two awards at the 2025 Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Annual Conference in October. The CRA was recognized for its Park Avenue & Market Plaza Redesign Project in the Capital Projects/Infrastructure for a Small City category, and for its...

If you’re searching for ways to give back, the Catalyst’s Impact Connector is here to help. Each week, we feature five organizations in the Tampa Bay area that need your input, whether that’s time, talent, items, funding or simply awareness. We’re certain you’ll find something here that matches your interests and...

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk State College is launching a new initiative aimed at getting more students into the agriculture industry. It starts next spring, but students are already signing up. Penny Watson has been fishing since she was a little girl, and while it brings her peace, it...

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reports the following traffic impacts associated with the I-75 Widening Project from the Tampa Bypass Canal to Fowler Avenue. All work is weather dependent and subject to change. I-75 from the Tampa Bypass Canal to Fowler Avenue. Lane (shoulder) closures: 24 hours per...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — University of South Florida scientists are studying how contaminants like flushed or thrown away pharmaceuticals impact Tampa Bay, hoping to mitigate future environmental damage. As part of the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project, USF scientists placed 17 racks around Tampa Bay for barnacles to grow...

HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Haines City Police Department said on Sunday it’s investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place sometime overnight. It happened near the intersection of Avenue I and North 12th Street in Polk County, and a large police presence could be seen in the area well into the...