WFLA Articles: February 17, 2022

From basketball to bobsled: First-time Olympian Sylvia Hoffman’s journey to Beijing Coast Guard suspends cruise ship passenger search Florida Commission says FPL rate hike was in ‘public interest’ Women’s skating event ends in anguish, anger First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visiting Tampa as part of ‘Cancer Moonshot’ initiative Britney Spears gives Florida Congressman Crist shoutout on Instagram I-39 re-opens after massive back-up Ex-Georgia official used fake pregnant stomach in paid leave scheme, DA says St. Pete Tenant’s Union holds protest against rising rent prices Foggy Friday: Why fog forms across Tampa Bay Miami Beach firefighters rescue dog who fell into bay What happens next for Kamila Valieva? Clearwater aquarium voyeurism investigation: Why were no charges filed? FDA warns against using some infant formulas after hospitalizations, death Plot thickens in Tampa area bounty hunter case with more arrests and more charges 2-time Olympic gold medalist hosts top-tier college softball tournament Tampa City Council questions choice for next Chief of Police World-record high-dive holder bringing show to Florida State Fair Florida Senate passes budget that wouldn’t punish school districts over student mask mandates 19 Austin police officers indicted in protest probe, sources say US lawmakers seek ways to help struggling IRS amid tax season California adopts nation’s first ‘endemic’ virus policy 4 medical professionals signed more than a third of mask exemption forms submitted to Sarasota schools last fall Biffle trying to race into Daytona 500 after absence Great Lakes restoration projects getting $1B from feds Motorcyclist injured after crash on Gandy Bridge Where does USA rank in the medal count? Louisiana teacher admits to feeding students sperm-laced cupcakes, report says Lawmakers divided over when to impose sanctions on Russia $415 million in student debt forgiven; find out if you’ll benefit ‘Dancing for a Difference’: Tampa Bay non-profit helps make performing arts accessible to all kids Two Tampa Bay area players claim $1M from ‘Gold Rush’ scratch-off How much does it cost to buy an Olympic gold medal? Florida DNA testing solves cold cases, exonerates the innocent Fun Fitness | DanceBody Workout Masterchef Latinos Featured on Bloom with Gayle Guyardo Judge rules Trump, children must testify in New York investigation New Covid Antibody Test Doesn’t Require Blood Test Relationship Maintenance Florida teen arrested for 5th road-rage shooting 2 days after jail release Multi-Tasking Kitchen Tools What to watch: Eileen Gu goes for halfpipe gold Suicide Numbers Are Up | How You Can Help Judge rules 4-year-old Florida boy with autism allowed to fly without wearing mask Police: Florida officer thought handgun was stun gun when naked man was shot, seriously wounded Man reported missing from Polk County found in Pennsylvania Team USA set to play for curling bronze Beijing Winter Olympics: Headlines for Thursday, Feb. 17 Vincent Zhou talks COVID, Olympic isolation Matthew Stafford, wife to cover expenses for photographer who fell off stage, reports say Amber Alert arrests: 4-year-old Tampa boy kidnapped while foster parent was held at knifepoint, police say Daytona 500 gets first Black race director Mom decapitates 6-year-old son, claims devil was attacking her, police say Tennessee mom accused of luring 9 teen boys for sex US Olympic chief: Withholding medals ‘unfair’ Trump-era program to build low-income housing stifled by price surges 1 woman dead, 1 hospitalized after attack at Florida animal rescue, reports say ‘Every indication’ Russia prepared to attack Ukraine, Biden says Pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle on Dale Mabry Highway, FHP says Fire erupts at famed Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan Breakthrough Medical Treatment for E.D. – No Pills, No injections Brazen carjacker attacks men while trying to steal semi on I-75 in Hillsborough County: FHP Genomics: A Revolution in Health Care Former Tampa Bay deputy ‘only probable suspect’ in 1983 cold case killing of girl, 11 Heart Healthy One Pan Wonder Recipe Black History Month Recognizes Black Health and Wellness 5 Ways Dogs Help Your Health Toxic Positivity Think Like An Olympian Eileen Gu top seed in ski halfpipe qualifying Chilling video: Toddler escapes Clearwater day care, walks into traffic Ludington native producing women’s hockey gold medal game ‘My Mom, Your Dad’: the new show where single parents are set up on dates… by their children! Adventure meets conservation in ‘Mysterious Creatures’ Interview: Jessie Diggins on making US Olympic history Florida mask mandate schools face $200 million penalty under budget bill 5 Tips to Lower Healthcare Costs Legal Things Parents Should Know Beer Bourbon and BBQ Fest 2022 Pinellas man gave underage girls vape pens for sex acts, to sniff their feet, deputies say Wife gets surprise proposal from husband, more romantic than the first time February Finds – Makeup Essentials PGA TOUR Superstore opens in Tampa As Valieva collapses, Shcherbakova wins figure skating gold Eliza Coupe on playing a hilarious and definitely not typical mom in ‘Pivoting’ School counselor alerts parents they can opt kids out of Black History Month lessons Daytona 500 drivers return to in-person media day, 300 media members attend Curtis Reeves trial: Judge says enough evidence to go on with court proceedings All eyes again on Valieva in women’s Olympic figure skating Coast Guard offloads $1.06B worth of cocaine, marijuana at Port Everglades Team USA heartbroken over Olympic loss to Canada City council considers repeal of Tampa noise ordinance Adorable Tampa girls dress up as iconic figures for Black History Month Parts shortage shadows Daytona Sarasota teacher gets creative with Black history lessons Conservative dating app ‘The Right Stuff’ to launch in summer Alaska Airlines announces $49 flight subscription service Man survives 75-foot fall from landing at aerial tramway in California, suffers no major injuries Many who died by suicide may have had an undiagnosed case of autism, study reveals Dog or coyote? DNA confirms species of mysterious animal USA’s Brittany Bowe captures bronze in 1000m Uber reveals way to see how many bad ratings you have First graders come to the aid of teacher having medical emergency US comes up short in Olympic Women’s Hockey final vs. Canada Girl, 5, has not been seen since return to biological family Mikaela Shiffrin crashes again, will leave Olympics without an individual medal Team USA invites ‘Mr. The Rock’ to try curling MAX DEFENDER 8 FORECAST: Record breaking warmth today, slightly cooler for the weekend Black skiers struggle to reach Olympic dreams Florida House passes 15-week abortion ban