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A Florida man, 53, allegedly tried to torch his wife’s restaurant after a heated argument, wielding a lit propane tank and knives while threatening to shut it down for good. Surveillance caught him destroying the business — estimated at $13K in damage — before deputies arrived and stopped him. He also injured his sister-in-law during the chaos. Castillo is now jailed without bond, with court set f...

Polk County Public Schools is in a race against time to hire 70 new bus drivers before school starts, as retirements and rapid growth have created a critical shortage. To attract applicants, they’ve boosted starting pay to $19.46/hour plus full benefits, paired with a flexible schedule that lets drivers spend time with family during holidays and summers. The district is also offering training for...

NASA’s hunting for elite volunteers to live in isolated habitats for a year—essentially a dress rehearsal for moon and Mars missions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or green card holders, aged 30–55, under 74 inches tall, fluent in English, and ready to commit 14 months including training. Strong STEM backgrounds, military experience, and no sleep disorders or meds are required. The goal? Gather...

Costco’s under fire in a new class action lawsuit over Orgain protein powders allegedly laced with dangerous heavy metals — lead, arsenic, and cadmium — with plaintiffs claiming the retailer failed to warn customers or properly vet the products. Independent tests found lead levels in Vanilla Bean flavor far exceeding California’s safety limits, echoing concerns from Clean Label Project and Consume...

Dunedin is preparing for a potential fire assessment as Florida voters head to the polls this November to decide on property taxes. The city commission has approved hiring a consultant to explore whether a dedicated fire fee could help cover rising fire protection costs if local tax revenue drops. While no assessment is imminent, the consultant will analyze expenses, propose calculation methods, a...

Tampa Bay’s ferry service is roaring back to life with a new temporary dock approved by St. Pete City Council, set to open by September. Mobro Marine’s construction kicks off the project, while Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority expands its fleet to two boats — the Bay Breeze and the Clipper — for year-round, seven-day service. Hubbard’s Marina, under a five-year deal, will operate the ferries at...

A frantic mom in Pasco County narrowly avoided tragedy when her toddler was locked inside a scorching car — a keyless entry system that failed to detect her fob. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay neighbors rally to save sandhill cranes after multiple collisions, installing warning signs. Economists question the inflated promises of a new stadium’s billion-dollar economic impact. A man with a troubling history...

St. Petersburg is set to transform a mile of downtown railroad tracks into the new Booker Creek Trail — a $7 million public space for walking, biking, and community vibes. Businessman Mark Ferguson, owner of Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, is leading the charge by committing $6 million through long-term leases, turning his existing property into a key piece of the puzzle. This landmark deal blends pr...

A massive $4,000-home, 2,500-apartment, 35-acre water park development called Two Rivers is poised to reshape southeast Pasco County — but not without controversy. Proponents tout it as a game-changing economic engine and tourist magnet, even calling the water park “the best beach club in Tampa.” Yet, residents flooded the planning commission meeting with opposition, raising alarms over traffic, i...

St. Petersburg is poised to tackle its housing crisis by putting nine decades-old vacant city lots to the vote—potentially rezoning them for affordable and workforce housing to ease the burden on Tampa Bay’s struggling residents. With rent and basic costs soaring, and many turning to food pantries, advocates stress that new housing must be genuinely affordable for essential workers like cashiers a...

A shocking incident unfolded at a Walmart in Mulberry, Florida, where a man exposed himself to a five-year-old girl—caught on camera and reported by an employee. Authorities quickly identified David Hicks, a repeat offender with a history dating back to 1991, through a Crime Stoppers tip and surveillance match. Arrested at his Lakeland home, he now faces multiple charges including indecent exposur...

A Florida Walmart caught a shocking moment: a 62-year-old man, David Hicks, allegedly exposed himself to a five-year-old girl after tracking her mother. Arrested thanks to a Crime Stoppers tip, Hicks has a long criminal record—including past convictions for indecent exposure and child molestation across three states. His brother, professional Santa Tom Hicks, was also recently arrested in a child...

Car Crashes Into House in Polk County | Tampa News

Stephen Halford, already charged with swindling a church out of nearly $700,000, is now facing even graver accusations—he allegedly forged a judge’s signature on fake court documents and faked text messages from his lawyer to deceive a construction company into hiring him. State Attorney Suzy Lopez called it a blatant manipulation of the justice system, leading to the revocation of his bond and hi...

A 100-year-old Navy veteran in Pasco County is finally back home after a heroic community effort restored his hurricane-damaged house—complete with walker-friendly floors, safety grab bars, a new shower, and even fresh kitchen appliances. His neighbors praise his zest for life, including his fish-fillet skills, while the story highlights how neighbors and nonprofits rallied to honor a hero’s legac...

Small Plane Lands Safely on Nose | Tampa News

Manatee County’s dramatic 56% drop in overdose deaths proves that community-driven action can turn the tide on the opioid crisis—thanks to naloxone distribution, cross-sector collaboration, and personal stories that build trust and hope. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level new...

Two California sea lions, Tuna and Wahoo, have arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium—marking the first time the facility has ever housed these animals. The 250,000-gallon Pinniped Pier habitat, funded by a $6 million tourism grant, features stadium seating and is designed for interactive presentations, letting guests connect with the playful sea lions. After hurricane damage in 2024 forced clo...

A 62-year-old Lakeland man, David Hicks, is facing serious charges after allegedly exposing himself to a five-year-old girl at a Walmart in Mulberry — captured on surveillance footage that also shows him following the child and her mother. Hicks, with a long criminal history including past indecent exposure and child molestation charges dating back to 1991, refused to speak to detectives after bei...

A Davenport mother has been convicted of first-degree murder and multiple abuse charges after her four-year-old adopted son died from severe blunt force trauma. Evidence, including chilling videos of her abusing him and her teen son’s testimony about cover-ups and threats, sealed her fate. The jury heard how she hid bruises, lied to police, and even instructed her son to fabricate a story about dr...

Tampa Bay Rays are seeking nearly a billion dollars in public funding for a new ballpark and surrounding development, promising up to $75 billion in economic gains over 30 years — a claim economists fiercely dispute. They argue stadiums rarely generate true economic growth, instead shifting spending from local businesses and funneling profits away to owners and players outside the community. Despi...

Cyclosporiasis is surging across 29 states, with Michigan hit hardest—though not yet a national emergency. This parasite, usually found in developing countries and linked to fresh produce in warm months, is causing severe diarrhea, cramps, and appetite loss, but no clear food source has been identified. Standard tests miss it, labs can’t easily culture it, and ingredients like basil or cilantro co...

Lupin Pharmaceuticals is recalling over 2.5 million bottles of Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension eye drops after a foreign substance was found — classified as a Class Two recall by the FDA, meaning it could cause temporary, reversible health issues. No illnesses have been reported yet, but the FDA urges immediate discontinuation of use. Consumers should stop using the recalled product rig...

The federal government is flexing its muscle on election oversight, sending DOJ letters to all 50 states demanding they explain how they’ll prevent noncitizens from voting—or face prosecution. With federal antiterrorism grants now tied to strict election compliance, states risk losing 20% of funding if they don’t verify citizenship for voters and workers. Meanwhile, the administration hints at new...

The Justice Department is sending a chilling warning to election officials nationwide: knowingly allowing noncitizens to vote or keeping them on rolls could lead to criminal charges. With just five days to respond, states are being put on notice that federal prosecutors are ready to act—this is no bluff. The move, backed by the Civil Rights Division’s top official, marks a major escalation in fede...