WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Girl walks with new feet

  June 18, 2013 8:22 PM

  TAMPA, FLORIDA- A toddler who lost her feet when her father accidentally backed over her with a riding lawn mower took her first steps with new prosthetic legs. Ireland Nugent has had seven surgeries since the accident in April and was confined to a wheelchair. She was fitted with her... more »

• Popular weekend beach getaways closed due to dangerous current

  June 10, 2013 10:53 PM

  GULF SHORES- Popular beach hangouts for people around the capital region are closed to swimmers after five people drowned. One person was from Louisiana. Double red flags were posted Monday along the shoreline, closing beaches in Gulf Shores and parts of Florida. "This includes all beaches from... more »

• Forecasters say Andrea will make wet slog in SE, East

  June 6, 2013 5:24 PM

  MIAMI - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Andrea has made landfall with winds of about 65 mph but the storm isn't likely to reach hurricane force. And while it won't have destructive winds, it does pose a threat from isolated flooding and storm surge before it loses steam over the next... more »

• Llama busts loose in Fla., subdued with taser

  June 2, 2013 12:24 PM

  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - When Scooter the llama busted out of his penned-in yard in Tallahassee, Florida, it took three county sheriff's deputies and a taser gun to get him back in again. Leon County Lt. Tony Drzewiecki said Sunday that the 6-foot-llama outran him and his colleagues for a while,... more »

• Florida city wonders who won the lottery jackpot

  June 2, 2013 12:16 PM

  ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - It's been two weeks since residents of Zephyrhills, Fla., learned that a $590 million Powerball ticket was sold inside their city limits. No one expected the winner to come forward immediately. After all, they reasoned, the person might need a few days to absorb the shock, or... more »

• Basketball-sized hairball

  May 22, 2013 7:52 PM

  CLEARWATER, FLORIDA- A tiger in Florida couldn't hack-up a basketball-sized hairball and it took veterinary surgeons to remove it. Ty the 17-year-old tiger underwent the procedure in Clearwater near Tampa after he wouldn't eat for nearly two weeks. Ty is cared for by Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and workers brought... more »

• Small Fla. city wonders who won Powerball jackpot

  May 19, 2013 10:15 AM

  ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a winning Powerball ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million. On Sunday, Zephyrhills residents wondered who the winner of Powerball's highest jackpot in history might be. The ticket-holder hadn't... more »

• Jags fans petition Obama to make team add Tebow

  May 6, 2013 8:38 PM

  JACKSONVILLE, Fl. - Dear Mr. President, please order the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign Tim Tebow. That was the gist of a petition started by some Jaguars fans Monday, hoping President Barack Obama makes their team bring the popular quarterback to Jacksonville for a happy homecoming. It received a few hundred... more »

• Nola named SEC Pitcher of the Week after LSU wins

  May 6, 2013 11:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The SEC named LSU sophomore right-hander Aaron Nola as the conference's Pitcher of the Week today. Nola threw his fourth consecutive complete game Friday and had his second shutout of the season against No. 19 Florida. He held the Gators to no runs and four singles... more »

• LSU claims SEC series win with 5-0 victory vs Florida

  May 3, 2013 10:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU Tigers(42-6) bounced back, after losing their first weekend series of the season, with a series win in a 5-0 blanking of #19 Florida Friday night. Aaron Nola propelled the Tigers with his fifth straight complete game win. Nola only struck out three but allowed... more »

• LSU Tiger baseball beats Florida Gators 3-2 in game one of series

  May 2, 2013 9:48 PM

  The LSU Tiger baseball team won game one of their SEC series against the Florida Gators 3-2 on Friday night in Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning as catcher Ty Ross flied to center with the bases loaded... more »

• One person dead in bus crash outside N.O.

  May 2, 2013 11:54 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - One person died in a wreck involving a charter bus and a car on Interstate 10 in a marshy area of eastern New Orleans, according to authorities. The Thursday morning accident prompted the closure of I-10's westbound lanes. Police have not released details on the accident or... more »

• Florida's Crawford to start Thursday vs LSU Play Video

  May 1, 2013 9:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan tells WBRZ Sports that right hand pitcher Jonathan Crawford(ankle injury) will get the start vs LSU Thursday night for the series opener. The Gator ace passed a quick test on his ankle during the first portion of Florida's practice Wednesday night... more »

• No bond for US couple accused of kidnapping kids

  April 11, 2013 9:28 AM

  TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida parents charged with kidnapping their boys after losing custody and fleeing to Cuba by sailboat have been ordered to remain in jail without bond. Joshua and Sharyn Hakken made their first appearance before a Tampa judge Thursday morning. They'll face a judge during a pretrial... more »

• Florida DL coach Bryant Young abruptly resigns

  April 10, 2013 4:24 PM

  GAINESVILLE, Fl. - Florida defensive line coach Bryant Young has resigned to "pursue more time with my family." A four-time Pro Bowler who played 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Young joined coach Will Muschamp's staff in 2011 after one year at San Jose State and another at Notre... more »

• Couple accused of kidnapping kids in jail

  April 10, 2013 6:43 AM

  TAMPA, Fla. - The couple accused of kidnapping their two young sons and fleeing by boat to Cuba has been booked into a Florida jail after being handed over to U.S. authorities. According to a website for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Joshua Michael Hakken and his wife Sharyn are... more »

• Cuba to turn over Florida couple and children

  April 9, 2013 4:18 PM

  HAVANA - Cuba says it will turn over to the United States a Florida couple who allegedly kidnapped their own children from the mother's parents and fled by boat to Havana. Foreign Ministry official Johana Tablada told The Associated Press in a written statement that Cuba had informed U.S. authorities... more »

• Report: kidnapped boys, parents in Cuba

  April 8, 2013 7:18 PM

  TAMPA- Two boys, kidnapped from a home in Florida last week, have been spotted in Cuba, according to media reports from Tampa . Their father, Joshua Hakken, allegedly took the boys from their maternal grandparents home on Wednesday. Hakken and his wife lost custody of the children following... more »

• Alerts issued in two states for kidnapped kids

  April 3, 2013 7:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State Police issued an advisory for two kids believed to have been kidnapped by at least one of their parents earlier Wednesday. Chase Hakken, 2, and Cole Hakken, 4, were snatched from their grandmother Wednesday morning at a home in Tampa, Florida. The grandmother was tied up... more »

• UCF cancels classes after death, explosive found

  March 18, 2013 8:05 AM

  ORLANDO, Fla. - A dorm on the University of Central Florida campus in Orlando has been emptied after explosive devices were discovered by authorities investigating a death. Officers responding to an alarm found a man dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police told local... more »

• Small plane crashes at S. Fla. parking lot; 3 die

  March 15, 2013 5:10 PM

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A small plane crashed into a parking lot near a South Florida airport, killing all three people onboard and burning about a dozen cars. Fort Lauderdale fire officials said no one on the ground was hurt in the Friday afternoon crash near that city's executive airport.... more »

• LSU exits SEC men's basketball tournament with 80-58 loss to Florida

  March 15, 2013 2:30 PM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Erik Murphy scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds to help the 13th-ranked Florida Gators elimnate the LSU Tigers from the SEC men's basketball tournament. Ninth-seeded LSU (19-12) tried to keep up with the rested Gators but looked a step slow with too... more »

• Private funeral for Mindy McCready

  February 22, 2013 11:15 AM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country star Mindy McCready's funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday in her hometown of Fort Myers, Fla. The funeral will be private. A memorial organized by friends and the music community is tentatively scheduled for March 6 at Cathedral of the Incarnation. McCready committed suicide Sunday at... more »

• Fla. judge: No trial delay in Trayvon Martin case

  February 5, 2013 9:04 AM

  SANFORD, Fla.- A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has denied a defense request to delay the trial. George Zimmerman's attorneys presented a motion Tuesday asking Judge Debra Nelson to push the trial from mid-June back to November. They... more »

• Police: Fla. man arrested after pocket-dialing 911

  February 1, 2013 10:47 AM

  ORANGE CITY, Fla. - A conversation with two passengers landed a Florida tow truck driver in jail after his cellphone pocket-dialed 911 and dispatchers listened in. Authorities say 19-year-old Matthew Dollarhide of Orange City was surprised when a Volusia County Sheriff's deputy pulled him over on Tuesday and asked why... more »

• Great white shark moves back to northeast

  January 31, 2013 11:11 AM

  CHARLESTON, S.C. - The great white shark known as Mary Lee is headed north again after spending a number of weeks this winter along the Southeast coast. The 3,500-pound shark was off Long Island, N.Y, on Thursday. Earlier, Mary Lee traveled as far south as Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Shark researcher... more »

• Police: Shots fired, rapper Ross crashes Rolls

  January 28, 2013 11:33 AM

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- Police in South Florida say rapper Rick Ross crashed his Rolls Royce into a building after hearing shots fired nearby. Fort Lauderdale police say Ross and a female companion reported hearing multiple shots fired in their direction at around 5:00 a.m. Monday. Police say Ross lost control... more »

• Fla. man bites off girlfriend's thumb during fight

  January 18, 2013 1:04 PM

  PALM BAY, Fla. - Police in Florida say a man bit off his girlfriend's left thumb during a fight while he was driving her to work. Florida Today reports that hospital officials called police after the woman arrived for treatment Wednesday. Palm Bay police spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez says 35-year-old Ricardo... more »

• Florida A&M University hires anti-hazing chief

  January 18, 2013 10:32 AM

  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida A&M University has hired alumnus Bryan F. Smith as its anti-hazing administrator. Interim university President Larry Robinson said Friday that Smith's job will be ensuring that initiatives adopted after the hazing death of a band member are implemented. Drum major Robert Champion died in 2011 after... more »

• LSU Tigers face Florida Saturday

  January 11, 2013 11:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The LSU men's basketball team draws a tough foe for its opening home Southeastern Conference game as it plays host to the nationally-ranked Florida Gators Saturday. Florida enters the game ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press poll and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll... more »

• Alabama gets set for Irish offensive attack

  January 4, 2013 10:48 AM

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Alabama assistant coach Kirby Smart runs the stingiest defense in the country when it comes to yards allowed, but as he looks at Notre Dame, he sees plenty of reasons for concern. The second-ranked Crimson Tide play the No. 1 Fighting Irish on Monday in the... more »

• Downtown grocery to open in May Play Video

  January 3, 2013 5:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Investors plan to open a grocery store in downtown Baton Rouge, at the corner of Third Street and Florida Blvd., later this spring. A grocery store is one of the key retail needs identified in a recent Downtown Development District report. The group of investors say the... more »

• Irish and Tide roll into Sunshine State

  January 3, 2013 10:41 AM

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Top-ranked Notre Dame and No. 2 Alabama are in Florida and continuing preparations for Monday night's BCS championship game. Both teams arrived in Fort Lauderdale yesterday afternoon for a matchup that was set more than a month ago. It's a return home for Crimson... more »

• Gators take on Cardinals

  January 2, 2013 11:07 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The lone college football game of the day is the Sugar Bowl pitting fourth-ranked Florida against No. 22 Louisville. The 11-1 Gators are making their 40th bowl appearance after a regular-season loss to Georgia cost them a shot at a national championship. They are seeking their school-record... more »

• Murray's 5 TDs lift Georgia by Nebraska in Cap One

  January 1, 2013 4:05 PM

  ORLANDO, Fla. - Aaron Murray threw five touchdown passes to set a Georgia bowl record, including two in the fourth quarter, as the sixth-ranked Bulldogs beat No. 23 Nebraska 45-31 in the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday. Murray shook off a pair of first-half interceptions, including one returned for a... more »

• No. 21 Northwestern ends drought in Gator Bowl

  January 1, 2013 2:54 PM

  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Behind huge interceptions early and late, No. 21 Northwestern beat Mississippi State 34-20 in the Gator Bowl on Tuesday and snapped college football's longest postseason losing streak. The Wildcats (10-3) won their first bowl game since 1949, snapping a nine-game losing streak that was tied for the... more »

• Taxiing plane clips parked jet at Fla. airport

  January 1, 2013 11:16 AM

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Authorities say no one was injured when two airplanes got into a sort of fender-bender at a Florida airport. The Broward Sheriff's Office says a taxiing Spirit Airlines Airbus A-320 clipped a US Airways Airbus A-320. The US Airways jet was parked Monday night in a... more »

• Teen gets 11 years prison in Fla. burning attack

  December 20, 2012 2:44 PM

  FORT LAUDERDALE- The alleged ringleader of a 2009 attack in which his South Florida middle school classmate was doused with alcohol and set on fire has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Bent was sentenced Thursday for an aggravated battery conviction. Two other teenagers are already serving... more »

• Air Force sends mystery mini-shuttle back to space

  December 11, 2012 12:39 PM

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A top-secret mini-space shuttle has blasted off from Cape Canaveral. The Air Force launched the unmanned spacecraft Tuesday aboard an Atlas V rocket. It's the second flight for this original X-37B spaceplane. It circled the planet for seven months in 2010. A second X-37B spacecraft spent... more »

• Judge denies bond motions in Trayvon Martin case

  December 11, 2012 10:25 AM

  SANFORD, Fla. - A Florida judge has denied defense requests to end 24-hour GPS monitoring of George Zimmerman while he is out on bond in the fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Judge Debra Nelson denied bond requests from Zimmerman's defense team Tuesday. Besides dropping the monitoring, the... more »

• Fla. man sues ex-Elmo puppeteer, claims sex abuse

  December 10, 2012 2:41 PM

  MIAMI - Another Florida man is suing the former Elmo puppeteer who resigned amid sex abuse allegations, claiming the voice actor befriended him in Miami and promised to be a father figure before flying him to New York to have sex with him. The alleged victim is now the fourth... more »

• Court date set for NH couple in burned boy case

  November 29, 2012 12:44 PM

  ORLANDO, Fla. - A New Hampshire couple arrested for allegedly beating and burning the woman's 3-year-old son are due to appear in a Florida courtroom Friday morning unless they waive extradition. U.S. Deputy Marshal Jeffrey White says New Hampshire law enforcement officials are en route to Florida to escort the... more »

• Florida gave Muschamp extension before season

  November 27, 2012 11:03 AM

  GAINESVILLE, Fla. - No. 5 Florida didn't wait to give coach Will Muschamp a contract extension. The Gators (11-1) gave him one before the season. President Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley met in August and agreed to extend Muschamp's contract for a year, through 2017. The Gainesville Sun... more »

• Romney campaign challenges criticism by automakers

  October 31, 2012 12:31 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is challenging criticism from U.S. automakers over campaign ads that claim General Motors and Chrysler are adding jobs in China at the expense of Ohio. Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said Wednesday, quote: "Their comments don't refute anything in our ad." Romney ads on... more »

• Biden calls Romney auto ad an 'outrageous lie'

  October 31, 2012 12:29 PM

  SARASOTA, Fla. - Vice President Joe Biden is calling advertising released by Republican Mitt Romney "an outrageous lie" for asserting that automakers General Motors and Chrysler are adding jobs in China at the expense of workers in Ohio. Biden says in Florida that Romney is "trying to scare the living... more »

• Obama vows to protect women's health care rights

  October 25, 2012 1:32 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - A new Associated Press-GfK poll suggests Mitt Romney has erased President Barack Obama's advantage among women. Obama has been renewing his pitch to female voters today. In the midst of a marathon, cross-country campaign trip, he made a veiled reference to Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock's comment... more »

• Obama, Romney tour debate site

  October 22, 2012 5:07 PM

  BOCA RATON, Fla. - President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have toured the site of tonight's debate in the battleground state of Florida. The 90-minute faceoff at Lynn University in Boca Raton will focus on foreign policy. Moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS says the questions he'll put before the candidates... more »

• Nightmare election scenarios worry both parties

  October 18, 2012 2:32 PM

  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Democrats and Republicans alike are fretting over what might go seriously wrong before, during - or just after - the Nov. 6 presidential election. Both parties have amassed lawyers and volunteers to watch polling places and appeal to local election officials if problems arise. Campaign... more »

• 4th victim found in Fla. garage collapse

  October 15, 2012 4:21 PM

  MIAMI - Authorities have found the body of a fourth victim in the rubble of a parking garage that partially collapsed last week at a Florida college. Miami-Dade County police said Monday the man's body is deep in the unstable rubble and may take several days to remove. Investigators believe... more »

• Giant eyeball on Fla. beach may be from swordfish

  October 15, 2012 10:39 AM

  MIAMI - State experts say a giant eyeball that washed up on a Florida beach last week likely came from a swordfish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Monday they based their conclusion on the eyeball's color, size and structure, along with the presence of bone around... more »

• Biology prof says eyeball may belong to big squid

  October 12, 2012 10:32 AM

  MIAMI - Word that a giant eyeball washed up on a South Florida has created a buzz on the Internet and in the marine biology community. An assistant biology professor at Florida International University in Miami on Friday said the blue eyeball may have come from a deep sea squid... more »

• Obama mocks Romney, says rival is hiding his views

  October 11, 2012 5:28 PM

  CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Mocking his Republican rival, President Barack Obama says Mitt Romney once described himself as "severely conservative." But these days, Obama says Romney is trying to convince voters he was, in Obama's words, "severely kidding." Obama says Romney is trying to mask his past stances on tax... more »

• Man dies after live roach-eating contest in Florida

  October 9, 2012 12:47 PM

  DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - Authorities say the winner of a roach-eating contest in South Florida died shortly after downing dozens of the live bugs as well as worms. The grand prize in Friday night's contest was a live python. The Broward County sheriff's office says in a news release that... more »

• Police: Cop impersonator demanded free fast food

  October 8, 2012 12:31 PM

  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Authorities in Florida say a man flashed a fake gun and badge and demanded free fast food at a McDonald's drive-thru. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies say Joseph Pineda told employees Friday that he deserved free food, had just come from a sting and didn't have his... more »

• No. 4 LSU, No. 10 Florida have something to prove

  October 5, 2012 10:14 AM

  GAINESVILLE - No one needs to remind Florida what happened the last two years. No one needs to remind LSU what happened the last two weeks. Those vivid and somewhat painful memories give the 10th-ranked Gators and fourth-ranked Tigers something to prove when they meet in The Swamp on Saturday.... more »

• Police in north Fla. rescue puppy buried alive

  September 28, 2012 10:22 AM

  WILLISTON, Fla. - Police officers found a puppy buried alive near a pit in north Florida. Williston Police Chief Dennis Strow told The Gainesville Sun that officers were disposing of evidence per a court order Thursday when they heard whimpering sounds. Once they found the source of the sound, they... more »

• Woman's arm ripped off in alligator attack

  September 26, 2012 7:34 PM

  An elderly woman in Florida had her arm ripped off in an alligator attack in a canal and is in critical condition. It's not clear how 84-year-old Carol Hough of Leesburg ended up in the canal that runs behind her mobile home. Her neighbor says she saw hough flailing in... more »

• More signs of balance between SEC East and West

  September 26, 2012 4:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The blazing starts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are raising doubts about preseason assumptions that the West is best in the Southeastern Conference. No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 LSU, the leaders of the West Division, also remain the league's top teams in the national rankings.... more »

• Police: Drunken man on horse arrested after chase

  September 26, 2012 12:34 PM

  BUNNELL, Fla. - A man who police say was drunk while riding his horse through a northeast Florida town is now in jail after a police chase. Flagler County jail records show 29-year-old Charles Cowart was arrested Monday. He's being held on $7,000 bond on charges that include disorderly conduct,... more »

• Drunken horseman chase

  September 25, 2012 7:31 PM

  A man accused of riding a horse while he was drunk led police on a half hour chase through a town in Florida. Charles Cowart was arrested and is in jail on $7,000 bond on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and cruelty to animals. Police say they responded to... more »

• New polls suggest Romney behind in Ohio, Florida

  September 25, 2012 3:13 PM

  DAYTON, Ohio - As Mitt Romney joins running mate Paul Ryan in Ohio for two days of campaigning, a new poll suggests the Republican ticket has some ground to make up. A Washington Post poll out today shows President Barack Obama leading Romney 52 to 44 percent among likely Ohio... more »

• Space shuttle Endeavour heads west to new mission

  September 19, 2012 7:34 AM

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Endeavour has lifted off on its final journey. NASA's youngest shuttle left Kennedy Space Center at sunrise today on the first leg of its flight to California. It's bolted to the top of a jumbo jet. Hundreds gathered at the runway to... more »

• Egypt to try 7 Copts, US pastor over Prophet film

  September 18, 2012 12:42 PM

  CAIRO - Egypt's general prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for seven Egyptian Coptic Christians and a Florida-based American pastor and referred them to trial on charges linked to an anti-Islam film that has sparked riots across the Muslim world. The prosecutor's office says the seven men and one woman, all... more »

• Fla. man charged over organs found in storage unit

  September 10, 2012 12:45 PM

  PENSACOLA, Fla. - A former medical examiner has been arrested on charges of keeping human remains in a rented storage unit in the Florida Panhandle. Dr. Michael Berkland was arrested Friday on charges of improper storage of hazardous waste, keeping a public nuisance and driving with a suspended license. He... more »

• Republicans gavel open convention

  August 27, 2012 1:17 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - Republicans have gaveled open their convention that will culminate with the nomination of Mitt Romney to be president. Party Chairman Reince Priebus banged the gavel on an abbreviated Monday session as the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac forced the GOP to cram four days of speeches and... more »

• Isaac could pack watery double punch for Gulf Coast

  August 27, 2012 11:06 AM

  KEY WEST - Isaac could pack a watery double punch for the Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service warns if it hits during high tide, Isaac could push floodwaters as deep as 12 feet onto shore in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and up to 6 feet in the Florida Panhandle.... more »

• Isaac stalling elected officials' GOP travel plans

  August 27, 2012 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Republican elected officials are scrapping or delaying Florida travel plans for the GOP's national convention. Some who had arrived in Tampa quickly turned around and headed home to wait for Tropical Storm Isaac. Gov. Bobby Jindal hasn't officially canceled his plans to speak at the convention,... more »

• Jindal may skip GOP convention because of Isaac

  August 26, 2012 4:53 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says he's considering skipping his speaking engagement at Republican National Convention because of Tropical Storm Isaac. Jindal said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that he wouldn't leave his state while it's threatened by the storm. Around the time he spoke, a hurricane... more »

• Red Cross, others push storm preps ahead of Isaac

  August 24, 2012 3:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Several agencies urged people in the Baton Rouge area to get prepared this weekend in case Tropical Storm Isaac targets southern Louisiana. Earlier today the Red Cross flew several volunteers out to Florida to help set up shelters. Isaac is currently projected to affect that state's... more »

• Romney could be nominated early in convention week

  August 24, 2012 8:39 AM

  WASHINGTON - Republican delegates will begin the roll call vote to officially nominate Mitt Romney for president on Monday at the national convention in Tampa, which could allow Romney to accept the GOP nomination earlier in the week than has occurred at previous conventions. Republican officials on Thursday said... more »

• Tropical Storm Isaac expected to become hurricane

  August 23, 2012 2:46 PM

  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Forecasters say there's still a lot of uncertainty about the path that Tropical Storm Isaac will take. It's expected to head toward Florida as a hurricane by Monday, but the National Hurricane Center says some forecast models show it could go further west into the... more »

• Tropical Storm Isaac forms; Fla. may be in track

  August 21, 2012 6:01 PM

  MIAMI - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Isaac has formed in the Atlantic with a track that could possibly take it toward Florida where the Republican National Convention will be held next week. Storm warnings have been issued Tuesday across a swath of islands in the Caribbean including Martinique, Guadeloupe and... more »

• Jaguars to play home games in London

  August 21, 2012 10:28 AM

  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A person familiar with the situation says the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to play multiple home games in London beginning in 2013. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL and the team are waiting to announce the deal Tuesday in Jacksonville. New... more »

• Road closed after fuel truck flips at gas station

  August 20, 2012 5:17 PM

  WALKER - Police shut down a portion of Florida Blvd. in Walker after an 18-wheeler turned over at a gas station this afternoon. Walker Police said it happened at the Best Stop across from Sunland Fabricators, near the corner of Florida and N. Corbin Rd. (LA 449). Police... more »

• Fla. police look for thieves who took 500 canaries

  August 15, 2012 12:22 PM

  MIAMI - Police are looking for two people they say stole more than 500 canaries from the home of an 87-year-old Florida man. Police say the men entered Manuel Sanchez's home on May 27 and took the birds. The next day, they sold the birds to at least three pet... more »

• Ron Palillo, of 'Welcome Back, Kotter,' dies at 63

  August 14, 2012 1:00 PM

  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The actor best known as the nerdy high-school student Arnold Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter," has died in Florida. Ron Palillo was 63. Palillo's friend, Karen Poindexter, says Palillo died early Tuesday in Palm Beach Gardens of an apparent heart attack. Palillo was forever remembered... more »

• Zimmerman will seek 'stand your ground' hearing

  August 9, 2012 8:33 AM

  SANFORD, Fla. - Attorneys for the neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the death of an unarmed teen say they'll seek a "stand your ground" hearing that could lead to criminal charges being dismissed. A statement posted Thursday on the website for George Zimmerman's legal team says evidence released by... more »

• Woman's excuse for police chase: "I was topless."

  August 6, 2012 12:45 PM

  MARIOM COUNTY FLORIDA - Police may hear a lot of creative excuses from people hoping to avoid speeding tickets. Mandy Ramsey says she didn't stop for Marion County police because she was topless! Police say the 35-year-old ran a stop sign and crashed into a tree when a... more »

• Jindal heading to Florida for Romney event

  July 27, 2012 4:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is campaigning for Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney in Florida this weekend. The Romney campaign says Jindal will be in Coral Springs on Saturday to meet Romney supporters at the candidate's campaign office. The Louisiana governor is often mentioned as a potential vice presidential... more »

• Puppeteer charged with child porn and kidnapping

  July 27, 2012 12:26 PM

  PINELLAS CO. - An alleged threat to children who entertained kids as a puppeteer is now behind bars in western Florida. Tampa-area officers arrested 57-year-old Ronald William Brown last week. Court documents allege he had graphic discussions online about abusing, kidnapping, killing, and eating children. The complaint... more »

• Jeb Bush wants Romney to choose Rubio for VP

  July 25, 2012 5:03 PM

  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he thinks Sen. Marco Rubio is ready to be vice president and that he has shared those thoughts with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney has said the first-term senator from Florida is among those he is considering to be his... more »

• Woman claims Geoge Zimmerman molested her

  July 16, 2012 7:20 PM

  A woman in Florida claims George Zimmerman, charged with killing teen Trayvon Martin, molested her when she was a child. The unidentified woman told investigators the abuse began when she was six and Zimmerman was 8, but its unclear what their relationship is. She says they would see each other... more »

• Lifeguard fired for rescue

  July 4, 2012 7:48 PM

  A lifeguard in Hallandale Beach, Florida was fired for assisting a drowning man because he left a section of beach his company is paid to patrol. Tomas Lopez was on duty when a beach goer asked for his help. Lopez says he ran to a man struggling in the water... more »

• Trayvon Martin shooter asks judge for bond - again

  June 29, 2012 6:04 AM

  ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida judge will weigh several factors in deciding whether to set a second bond for the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot Trayvon Martin. The judge today will consider if George Zimmerman is a flight risk or a threat to the community. Most importantly, Zimmerman... more »

• Tests find only marijuana in face-chewer's system

  June 27, 2012 4:09 PM

  MIAMI - A Florida medical examiner says only marijuana was found in the system of a Florida man shot while chewing another man's face. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's released the toxicology results Tuesday on 31-year-old Rudy Eugene. Lab results found marijuana in his system, but not any other street... more »

• Obama offers storm assistance to Florida governor

  June 26, 2012 10:21 AM

  ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - President Barack Obama has assured Florida Gov. Rick Scott that his state will have "no unmet needs" as it responds to extreme weather and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama expressed his condolences for the loss of life, as... more »

• Debby soaks Fla.; gov declares statewide emergency

  June 25, 2012 12:53 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - Florida Gov. Rick Scott is declaring a statewide emergency because of Tropical Storm Debby. Debby has drenched the state and caused flooding in some neighborhoods. It has also spawned tornadoes. At least one person was killed in Florida in a tornado and officials are searching for a... more »

• Debby's slow march through Gulf drenches Florida

  June 25, 2012 7:35 AM

  MIAMI - The National Hurricane Center is changing the tropical storm warning area along the Gulf coast as Debby meanders near Florida. Debby is drenching the state with rain and has caused flooding. The tropical storm warning area shifted farther south Monday to encompass much of Florida's Gulf coast. Debby... more »

• Watching the Gulf of Mexico

  June 21, 2012 10:09 PM

  I'm closely watching the large area of low pressure ( Invest 96L ) near the Northern Yucatan Peninsula. It is showing better signs of organization, and could form into a tropical depression in the next day or so. It is SLOWLY moving to the north and that trend will continue... more »

• 'Swamp People' cast member arrested in Fla.

  June 21, 2012 3:02 PM

  ORLANDO - Authorities in Florida arrested one of the stars from the popular reality TV show 'Swamp People' after a domestic incident. Sheriff's deputies in Orange County arrested Joe LaFont, known as "Trapper Joe", Wednesday morning according to the celebrity website TMZ.com. According to the report, LaFont and... more »

• Florida to carry out health law if upheld by court

  June 20, 2012 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON - Florida's Republican governor - one of the staunchest opponents of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul - says his state will carry out the law if the Supreme Court upholds it. Gov. Rick Scott told reporters Wednesday "if it is the law of the land, then we are... more »

• Woman doused in gas and set Afire

  June 11, 2012 7:54 PM

  A woman in West Palm Beach, Florida has severe burns after being doused with gasoline and set afire in a dispute with her son's father. Police say the woman was at a 7-Eleven store waiting in her car for her ex who was dropping off her four-year-old. Police say Roosevelt... more »

• Florida punches its ticket to Omaha

  June 11, 2012 9:41 AM

  GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Daniel Pigott homered to open the 10th inning, an opposite-field shot that barely cleared the fence, and Florida held on to beat North Carolina State 9-8 on Sunday and advance to the College World Series for the third consecutive season. Pigott's eighth homer of the season was... more »

• Family of 6 killed in plane crash in Fla. swamp

  June 8, 2012 2:56 AM

  LAKE WALES, Fla. - Authorities say a Kansas businessman, his wife and their four children were killed when their small plane crashed into a swampy area of central Florida. The Polk County Sheriff's office says the plane went down Thursday in Tiger Creek Preserve. A news release says 45-year-old Ronald... more »

• After gory incidents, online 'zombie' talk grows

  June 4, 2012 12:36 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - A recent spate of gruesome incidents has fueled talk online and elsewhere about a "zombie apocalypse." The horrifying incidents, including the case of a Florida man who chewed off part of another man's face, are anything but funny. But America seems fascinated: The Daily Beast has assembled... more »

• High school students failing standardized test

  May 18, 2012 2:12 PM

  TALLAHASSEE - Florida tenth-graders did not fare well on the new version of the state's standardized test. The Florida Department of Education says half of all tenth-grade students failed the reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test or F-CAT. A little more than half of ninth-grade students... more »