WFLA Articles: January 3, 2023

McCarthy floats path to Speakership with lower vote threshold Gaetz sends letter to Architect of the Capitol asking why McCarthy is occupying Speaker’s office McCarthy says Trump reiterated his support for Speakership bid Mega Millions: Tuesday’s winning numbers for the $785 million jackpot U.S. 301 widening project still in process, frustrating some calling for faster change Couple killed while crossing Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach GOP Rep. Nancy Mace blasts ‘D-Lister’ Matt Gaetz over opposition to McCarthy   FDA finalizes rule expanding availability of abortion pills 4 survive after Tesla plunges off California cliff, driver arrested for attempted murder Devil’s Slide Tesla crash was intentional, driver arrested for attempted murder: CHP Fans give millions to Damar Hamlin’s toy drive for kids Trump attacks McConnell, wife over GOP ‘turmoil’ after McCarthy fails to win Speakership   Tucker Carlson: ‘Refreshing’ to see McCarthy struggle to win votes for Speaker Missouri executes transgender inmate convicted of murder Jeremy Renner shares update after critical snow plow injury while helping family member ‘Romeo & Juliet’ stars sue over 1968 film’s teen nude scene Inflatable paddleboards sold at Costco recalled due to drowning hazard WATCH: Crack forms in famous Florida bald eagle pair’s egg Brian Laundrie’s parents file lawsuit response claiming their attorney knows more than they do about Gabby Petito case Chaos reigns in House as GOP fails to pick a Speaker Local parks see vandalism ‘on a regular basis’, how Manatee County is addressing the issue Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham dead at 90 Damar Hamlin’s collapse brings back painful memories for Pinellas County mom Idaho murder suspect stopped twice by police during cross-country trip Tampa police release description of suspect in shooting at Curtis Hixon Park NFL teams change profile pictures in support of Damar Hamlin House adjourns with no Speaker Hillsborough customers of defunct pool company want accountability <strong>Polk County to evaluate pumping Ian-related flood water away from Davenport homes</strong> GOP House drama as Dems focus on priorities Speaker chaos delays swearing-in of new House members Man tried to run over Hernando County deputy with car, FHP says Dog found tied up, abandoned outside airport after it wasn’t let on plane; man arrested Man arrested after shooting 2 people who were fighting at Lakeland apartment complex: police Lawmakers call for Santos to step aside amid investigations Idaho slayings suspect agrees to extradition to face charges Looking back at medical incidents that halted game play over the years Gun seizures at Florida airports up ‘approximately’ 26% higher than 2021, TSA says 1 dies after being shot multiple times in Temple Terrace, police say McCarthy fails to secure Speakership on historic second ballot FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty to fraud Censorship, mistrial, murders: 4 big Florida & Tampa Bay court cases to watch in 2023 Top Florida judge issues warning on jury duty scam Sailboat with another 200 migrants lands in Florida Keys as ‘humanitarian crisis’ continues Airline passenger claims United was ‘lying’ about lost luggage after AirTag showed it at ‘mystery’ building Metal detectors removed from outside the House chamber ‘I just want justice’: Lakeland residents hold town hall after officer seen on video punching man What we know about XBB.1.5, the dominant COVID variant in the US How long could Speaker battle drag on? 1856 offers a stark example Fake teen doctor, now 25, sentenced to prison for new scam Jillian Michaels is Keeping it Real in 2023 McCarthy blocked from Speakership as House moves to second ballot NFL announces update on Bills-Bengals game, Week 18 schedule NFL says Bills-Bengals game won’t resume this week, no changes to Week 18 schedule Sebring man ejected from ATV on New Year’s Day drowns in drainage ditch Woman becomes Florida’s first $1 million lottery winner of 2023 Defiant McCarthy vows to fight to the end Damar Hamlin’s family breaks silence after his on-field collapse 2 cruise ships rescue more migrants off Florida coast VIDEO: Man attacked by shark on New Year’s Day 70 miles off Florida coast McCarthy fails in marathon votes for speaker, not giving up Prosecutors in Brazil reopening criminal fraud case against George Santos ‘Turn all your hangers one way’ and other genius decluttering tips from expert Matt Paxton US Virgin Islands fires attorney general in Epstein cases Crenshaw says hard-line McCarthy opponents ‘are enemies now’ Florida woman struck, killed by SUV following rollover crash Parents sue school district over daughter’s ‘pornographic’ assignment Damar Hamlin’s family breaks silence after his scary on-field collapse Bucs players, fans show support for Bills’ Damar Hamlin after he collapsed during Monday’s game Tampa man helps set house on fire with 21 people inside, deputies say LIVE COVERAGE: House votes on whether to make McCarthy Speaker Bishop, Boebert vow ‘no’ votes on McCarthy Rivian EDV: Why Amazon is big on these electric vans WATCH: Stolen car falls 21 feet off road, crashes into house Sesame becomes 9th major food allergen in US Feeling lucky? These are the most drawn numbers for Mega Millions Ski resort employee dies after being knocked from chairlift by fallen tree Polk County burglars called 911 for help moving stolen items, deputies say Federal corrections officer arrested on battery at Davenport party, deputies say Marcy Kaptur becomes longest-serving woman in congressional history on Tuesday Mega Millions prize climbs to $785 million, is 6th largest in US history National park closed following arrival of 300 migrants Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack? Tech CEO arrested, accused of peeping in Panera Bread women’s restroom Who is Buffalo Bills’ defensive back Damar Hamlin? House Speaker election explained: What to know Bengals’ Tee Higgins shares message to Damar Hamlin following Monday night’s game Pro rally racer Ken Block dies in snowmobile accident Al Roker returning to Today Show after long absence ‘Absolute miracle’: 2 children, 2 adults alive after Tesla plunges off California cliff Poor hydration may be linked to early aging and chronic disease, a 25-year study finds What happened to Damar Hamlin? Run for Fun: What to know before signing up for a race Father of University of Idaho victim says he wants to face the suspect Florida couple reunites message in bottle with owner 39 years after it was thrown into St. John’s River EXPLAINER: What happened to Damar Hamlin? Inmate set to become 1st openly transgender woman executed in U.S. Sesame becomes 9th major food allergen in U.S. 2 hospitalized after crash on I-75 in Bradenton Fans raise millions for Damar Hamlin’s toy drive fundraiser after collapse More kids sickened by edibles at home as legal pot grows WATCH: SpaceX launches first 2023 mission Jeremy Renner undergoes surgery after snow plow accident Mild night, rain arrives late Wednesday