17-year-old suspect shot by Haines City police after high-speed pursuit

A 17-year-old suspect was taken to the hospital after a high-speed pursuit ended with an officer-involved shooting Friday evening in Polk County, officials said.

Crash leaves semi dangling off overpass on Polk Parkway

Traffic is moving again on the Polk Parkway after a crash left a semi dangling off an overpass on Wednesday.

90-year-old former Lake Alfred commissioner now faces more than 3,000 counts of child porn

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is asking anyone who is aware of or may have witnessed inappropriate interactions with former Lake Alfred City Commissioner Charles Lake to come forward after detectives found more than 3,000 videos and images of child pornography on his electronic devices. 

Devin Stephenson picked to become second Florida Polytechnic University president

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees on Monday chose Devin Stephenson to become the school’s second president, succeeding Randy Avent who is slated to step down in July.

Florida pre-med student accused of fatally stabbing mother 70 times

A pre-med student of the University of Florida (UF) is now in the Polk County Jail, accused of fatally stabbing his mother 70 times.

University of Florida student fatally stabs own mother, sheriff says

The victim, 46-year-old Elvia Espinoza, was a second grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School in Frostproof, deputies said.

Florida man accused of assaulting firefighters after serving prison time: ‘You haven’t learned to behave’

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd doesn’t like people messing with his buddies and a man who was recently released from state prison found out what happens when you put him to the test. 

FDOT prioritizes widening congested section of I-4 between Disney, U.S. 27

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, joined by Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), announced accelerated construction schedules for several key infrastructure projects under the "Moving Florida Forward" initiative.

3-year-old among 2 killed in Lakeland shooting: Police

Two people, including a three-year-old child, were killed and another was injured in a Lakeland shooting Monday night, according to police. 

Human trafficking bust: Teacher, coaches among 228 arrested in Polk County

Nearly 230 people were arrested, and 13 potential victims were rescued during an 8-day multi-agency undercover human trafficking investigation in Polk County. 

Florida's 9th case of measles confirmed in Polk County: Health officials

The measles outbreak has made its way to Central Florida. Over the weekend, the Florida Department of Health confirmed a ninth case out of Polk County. 

Former DCF worker, husband arrested after 2 children found in ‘deplorable conditions’ at Polk County home

A now former DCF employee and her husband were arrested in Polk County on Saturday after officials discovered their home was covered in trash, feces and dog urine, according to authorities.