WFLA Articles: May 9, 2023

Graduating seniors honored with college scholarships from City of Tampa Black History Committee Christmas Tree Shops closing 10 stores across multiple states, including Florida after bankruptcy filing 5-foot gator found in Florida stormwater pipe Kentucky governor candidate ‘honored’ to have Trump’s backing despite Carroll verdict Dog co-owned by country’s Tim McGraw wins new breed at show As hurricane season nears, Sarasota County residents continue to recover from Hurricane Ian Five takeaways from the Biden, McCarthy meeting on debt limit debate Dade City man who strangled girlfriend stabbed by child, police say Senate Republicans question Trump’s 2024 viability after sexual abuse verdict Execution set for Florida man convicted of rapes and murders Children’s author accused of murder allegedly had history of trying to poison husband Father injured while shielding 4-year-old son from gunfire in Chicago neighborhood Will the Rays leave Tropicana Field? Orlando Magic co-founder hopes to lure MLB team, Rays with $1.7 billion stadium pitch DeSantis signs bill banning TikTok in Florida schools Trump’s 2024 bid faces fresh uncertainty after E. Jean Carroll verdict Carroll says verdict is win for every woman who ‘suffered because she was not believed’ Hundreds of bedbug-infested mattresses found dumped in Alabama woods Biden says he’s considering 14th Amendment as debt ceiling option Florida lawmakers reverse Citizens flood insurance requirement for high-rise condos MTV News to shut down amid Paramount layoffs ‘It hurts us’: Pasco County businesses impacted by counterfeit money operation WATCH: Bear ‘ding dong ditches’ West Virginia home Bill banning unlicensed minors from driving golf carts heads to governor’s desk Federal prosecutors file criminal charges against George Santos Crook steals woman’s Social Security payment by diverting money Florida approves dozens of K-12 social studies books after publishers tweak material ‘Let’s go Brandon’ flag raising at school was prank, superintendent says Kansas driver in Bud Light beer can costume arrested on suspicion of DUI Tucker Carlson to launch show on Twitter after Fox News ouster Boater found guilty of vessel homicide in crash that killed jet skier near Madeira Beach McCarthy: No ‘new movement’ with Biden on debt ceiling debate ‘Unimaginable’: Groom planning wife’s funeral after newlyweds hit by suspected DUI driver FBI raids Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak’s home Hutchinson: Assault verdict another sign of Trump’s ‘indefensible behavior’ Man dressed as a Bud Light beer can arrested for DUI Redistricting plan: School board votes to close Tampa’s Just Elementary Man guilty for murdering BLM protestor killing posted ‘I am a racist’ Gator seen riding the waves in Dauphin Island READ: Jury’s verdict in Carroll’s civil case against Trump READ: Jury’s verdict in Carroll’s civil case against Trump EPA must regulate rocket fuel chemical in drinking water after Trump, Biden declined: court Florida man caught on video smashing glass cases with baseball bat at sporting goods store The art of meditative painting Trump calls E. Jean Carroll verdict ‘a disgrace’ Refreshing summer chickpea salad recipe Groom recovering at home after golf cart crash that killed bride, family says Buccaneers add to their quarterback room, sign former Rams QB John Wolford Princess Cruises to set sail from Central Florida for the first time Protecting the skin & achieving a healthy glow Plant City EMT accused of punching driver in road rage incident Feinstein set to return to Washington following months-long absence  Trump found liable for sexual battery, defamation in E. Jean Carroll trial Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards accuser $5M Universal Orlando unveils ‘thrilling summer’ ticket offer Man who caught 2 Navy ships nearly colliding ordered to take cameras down Bear roosts in tree next to Florida Red Lobster Pentagon officially renames Fort Hood to honor first 4-star Hispanic general Alien statue stolen from 102-year-old Michigan woman returned Get a free McChicken at McDonald’s for one day only How the 14th Amendment could solve the debt crisis Frontier Airlines accidentally flies Florida-bound passenger to foreign country without a passport Morgan Wallen cancels Florida concert, 6 weeks of shows to take vocal rest McCarthy shoots down short-term debt ceiling hike WATCH: 6-foot sharks circle juvenile alligator in ‘incredibly rare’ video Injuries reported in multi-vehicle fire in Panama City GOP megadonor rebuffs Senate panel request for full accounting of Clarence Thomas gifts Robert De Niro, at 79, becomes a father for the 7th time Is it illegal to take the tags off of mattresses? Summer Health: Deep-diving into prep to get swimsuit ready with ultimate confidence Summer Health: Getting swimsuit ready with ultimate confidence Brotherly love! Family pulls off epic surprise reunion for boy with Down syndrome Fetterman ‘begging’ those struggling with mental health to seek treatment Illegal gambling sting takes down locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg This Las Vegas residency will be a ‘phone-free experience’ Meet Florida’s first Merman! Mother’s Day at Gold & Diamond Source Delivery-only New York-style deli opens in Tampa Marina Pointe condos transform part of South Tampa Hispanic Caucus campaign arm formally endorses Gallego for Senate Boater finds 16 bricks of cocaine floating off Florida Keys Breast cancer screenings should begin at 40, not 50, new guidelines say Possible meteorite smashes through roof of New Jersey home: police Clearwater man hits 100-gallon blood donation milestone Joe Kapp, former Vikings, Cal QB, dies at 85 Texas shooter’s ‘RWDS’ patch linked to far-right extremists Solar summer just began: Here’s what that means Giant seaweed patch expected to hit Gulf coast beaches WATCH: Large manatee mating herd gathers in Florida state park AMC Theatres to make big change at concession stands All the best Teacher Appreciation Week freebies and deals Man found dead after shots heard in Tampa neighborhood Women On Their Way Summit is coming to Tampa Bay Growing a healthy garden in Florida’s summer heat McConnell predicts US aid will flow to Ukraine ‘for a good deal longer’  ‘It’s hissing!’: Alligator surprises women floating down Florida lazy river When will Tampa Bay’s rainy season begin? LinkedIn cutting hundreds of jobs The Weeknd wants ‘to kill’ his alter ego Senate Judiciary Committee asks GOP megadonor for full accounting of gifts to Thomas The effects of social media on mental health and relationships 5 Simple fashion tips to help you save money and look great Pro-DeSantis super PAC ramps up hiring into Super Tuesday From Alternative to Mainstream: The rise of functional medicine Pets and Disaster Prep Outdoor Living tips with HGTV Star, Matt Blashaw A New Way to Look at Taking Care of an Aging Parent: ‘Positive Caregiving” Walt Disney World making changes to reservation system, bringing back dining plans next year Man accused of shooting girl playing hide and seek in head Tiger Woods’ lawyers try to stop ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit in Florida court Florida law takes aim at teachers union that defied DeSantis ‘Misty of Chincoteague’ home saved by fans from around the country These are the best (and worst) US states for broadband access VIDEO: Large manatee mating herd gathers in Florida state park Run for Fun: Lessons Leigh learned in recent marathon After School Satan Clubs gain popularity amid legal victories Tampa organization teaches babies how to survive in the water Hillsborough County schools to move forward with district-wide boundary changes 2 dead after construction workers’ SUV hits Bartow High School student’s truck Florida substitute teacher who let 7th grader hit her vape ‘just wanted to fit in’: police Debt limit battle: How we got here First wild koalas caught and vaccinated against chlamydia Nashville hotel manager charged with aggravated burglary, assault after entering guest’s room Five potential outcomes of debt ceiling battle Tuesday marks 43 years since Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster Increasing rain chances this week