WFLA Articles: December 14, 2023

Report: Husband of missing Florida mom arrested in Homeland Security investigation Family hopes to see safety improvements after teenager killed going to school New York cold case rape suspect arrested in Florida, officials say How to spot artificial intelligence-generated content Hepatitis epidemic hits Hawaii harder than other states The average long-term US mortgage rate dips below 7% to its lowest level since early August Southwest’s plus-sized passenger policy debated on social media Reports: Tampa Bay Rays trade pitcher Tyler Glasnow, outfielder to Dodgers Ultra-rare Nikes worth $10K found in donation bin at shelter Southwest’s plus-sized passenger policy debated on social media Tampa Police Department hosts annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ GOP voters like Trump because he won’t compromise: Pew poll McCarthy’s exit interview: Gaetz, Trump and Mike Johnson Trevor Noah to host the 2024 Grammy Awards for fourth year in a row ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ star Andre Braugher’s cause of death released: reports Luke Combs’ tumbler lawsuit ignites conversation about copyright issues: What boutique sellers should know Motion denied for accused wrong-way Skyway Bridge driver Memphis school officials make ‘After School Satan Club’ decision Missing Hernando County man with dementia found safe Hernando deputies seek answers after medical student found dead in woods over a decade ago Disabled and low income Tampa veterans among 54,000 in ‘unacceptable’ travel pay backlog Calls grow for Israel to scale back its aggressive military strategy Box truck driver arrested for DUI in Pasco County: FHP House departs without reaching deal on Ukraine aid Dems push for better gun violence prevention 11 years after Sandy Hook Senators say diabetes and obesity epidemics are harming health of millions of Americans and costing billions of dollars Florida’s home-hardening grant program: How homeowners can lower their premium GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin slams Matt Gaetz: ‘Living off your daddy’s money’ Elon Musk plans to open university in Austin: Report Water bead warning: Why major retailers are pulling popular toy Could commercial flights take off in Lakeland again? Boy, 13, charged after allegedly planning mass shooting in a synagogue Florida man wins $5M top lottery prize from restaurant scratch-off ticket McCarthy reflects on ouster in farewell speech: ‘I would do it all again’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ star’s cause of death released, report says Jeffries: Government will shut down unless House GOP yields on demands House passes defense spending bill Plant City man receives 4 life sentences for committing ‘horrific acts’ against a minor Dolly Parton announces she’s opening a new restaurant in Florida. Here’s where Food for the Soul: Why food is so comforting Cold season is here: Why it’s important to keep track of symptoms Take a look inside doomsday city built at former Army base The Salvation Army Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Senate to return next week in hopes of pre-Christmas border deal Mom wrongly jailed for 20 years over deaths of her 4 children has convictions overturned Casey Anthony’s attorney spent over $1M defending her 5 hospitalized in early-morning crash involving 3 semis on Florida’s turnpike WTH: Today Show’s Joy Bauer shares festive, Christmas delights Dance Theatre of Tampa putting on 24th season of “The Nutcracker” Jeff’s Climate Classroom: Climate Tipping Points threaten ‘irreversible changes’ After 125 years, family on Anna Maria Island still making candy canes by hand—and you can get in on the fun Congress approves bill barring any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO LIST: Severe weather cancels holiday events across Tampa Bay Powerball jackpot jumps to $535M, no big winners in Wednesday’s drawing McCarthy gives farewell speech on House floor ‘Like a gift’: Oprah Winfrey says she uses weight-loss medication Hispanic leaders on border talks: It’s a trap YouTuber MrBeast loses ‘DEEZ NUTS’ lawsuit against Florida company FDA recalls cases of Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta from three southern states Giuliani awaits verdict as defamation suit comes to a close Spring Hill sex offender ‘took over’ girl’s Snapchat, sent photos to her friends: HCSO WATCH: Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomes 16 critically endangered, cold-stunned turtles How schools fought chronic absenteeism over the past year Reports of stolen guns up slightly in Tampa area, many sold to criminals Lawmakers call for gun safety measures Pinellas County teacher surprised by military son at school in sweet homecoming All of your favorite Christmas tales come together in one Wesley Chapel Theater Group play Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta recalled in Florida, 2 other states over potential contamination Police officer saves girl’s life, becomes part of her family: ‘I’ll be there for her graduation and wedding’ Semi-truck collision scrambles traffic after ‘lots of eggs’ spill onto highway New Adventure Island attraction coming in 2024 7 elementary students sickened by gummies eaten from fentanyl-laced bag Team Burton enters ‘The Great Christmas Light Fight’ ‘See you next year’: Indian Rocks Beach cancels Christmas Boat Parade Easy Holiday Entertaining Support Access to the Arts in Tampa Bay Dining Out During the Holidays Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me — with some caveats Celebrate NYE with Kool & the Gang at Tampa EDITION Pure Joy this Holiday Tampa city leader opens ‘Black English Bookstore’ to honor Black history and culture 4 Questions to Deepen Your Faith | Top Tampa spiritual advisor weighs in Gasparilla Music Festival announces 2024 headliners Hands Across the Bay is changing lives in Tampa Bay Tell Alexa to ‘Thank My Driver,’ and they’ll get $5 — at no cost to you Roadside shooting: Woman found guilty of murder in case of ‘mistaken identity’  Ruskin teacher sues to block Florida law restricting pronoun use in schools Big Game Bound: Ravens head to Jacksonville with eyes on AFC’s top seed Fed keeps rates steady; Dow Jones hits record high Man arrested for vehicular homicide after 100 mph race with other driver on I-75: FHP House sends annual Defense policy bill to Biden’s desk Cats prey on hundreds of threatened, endangered species, are among ‘most problematic’ animals, study finds AI-generated anchors to debut on news network in 2024 Baseball legend Larry Doby posthumously honored with Congressional Gold Medal Man accused of molesting manatee statue, throwing gator nuggets outside bar in St. Pete Beach House authorizes impeachment inquiry Giuliani to no longer testify in Georgia election worker defamation trial Wife surprises husband with ‘Nobody Cares’ cake after his self-described ‘big accomplishment’ 15-year-old bicyclist killed in Pasco County crash Lawsuit alleges ex-Harvard Medical School professor secretly used own sperm to impregnate patient ‘Going to be a long road’: Manatees Romeo and Juliet receiving round-the-clock care at ZooTampa Google Maps update to give more control over location history QUIZ TIME: How well do you know your Holiday 🎄 movies? JonBenét Ramsey’s father: Make murder of children a federal crime Double duties: Stopping crime and shopping time Tampa Bay Rays name change idea fails in St. Pete City council Doritos rolls out nacho cheese-flavored liquor 3 Florida highways among the most hated roads in America, report says Mattel to follow ‘Barbie’ with American Girl doll live-action movie Apple to address security vulnerability with new iOS setting Giuliani expected to testify in $43M Georgia election worker defamation case Trump immunity request puts Supreme Court in crosshairs House conservatives mount last-ditch push to sink defense authorization bill  Negotiators report progress but no solutions on border talks Biden criticism of Israel hints at deeper tensions Earliest version of Mickey Mouse, along with Minnie, Tigger to become public domain in 2024 Gusty and cloudy today, downpours Saturday