State attorney speaks after 3 Florida teens sentenced
All 3 suspects have been sentenced in the 2023 Ocklawaha triple-murder case. Defendants Robinson and Brewton were sentenced to life in prison. Defendant Atkins was sentenced to 40 years in prison. All three defendants were charged as adults. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer shows us what the state attorney had to say after the sentencings.
All 3 suspects have been sentenced in the 2023 Ocklawaha triple-murder case. Defendants Robinson and Brewton were sentenced to life in prison. Defendant Atkins was sentenced to 40 years in prison. All three defendants were charged as adults. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer shows us what the state attorney had to say after the sentencings.
New state-funded weight loss initiative in Florida
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced a new state-funded weight management program for residents in three Florida counties on Thursday. The program will provide residents in Hillsborough, Leon and Palm Beach counties with a free WW, formerly Weight Watchers, subscription as part of the state?s chronic disease prevention efforts. State officials said the program is available to those who have a BMI of 25 or greater, are at least 18 years old and live in one of the three eligible counties.
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced a new state-funded weight management program for residents in three Florida counties on Thursday. The program will provide residents in Hillsborough, Leon and Palm Beach counties with a free WW, formerly Weight Watchers, subscription as part of the state?s chronic disease prevention efforts. State officials said the program is available to those who have a BMI of 25 or greater, are at least 18 years old and live in one of the three eligible counties.
8 arrested in multi-million dollar fraud investigation
Eight people are facing charges in a multi-state, $8.8 million bank fraud and racketeering scheme impacting 235 people, mainly those who are elderly, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Uthmeier and Judd made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday at the Polk County Sheriff?s Office in Winter Haven. The suspects have all now been extradited and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Eight people are facing charges in a multi-state, $8.8 million bank fraud and racketeering scheme impacting 235 people, mainly those who are elderly, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Uthmeier and Judd made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday at the Polk County Sheriff?s Office in Winter Haven. The suspects have all now been extradited and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Top 4 news stories you need to know: July 22, 2025
FOX 35's LuAnne Sorrell and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from a 15-year-old from Marion County sentenced after pleading guilty to murder, a Eustis babysitter arrested for leaving a 3-month-old outside on hot asphalt alone, Governor DeSantis and the new Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia announcing DOGE audits into Florida cities and municipalities and a new Disney animation experience coming to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in 2026.
FOX 35's LuAnne Sorrell and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from a 15-year-old from Marion County sentenced after pleading guilty to murder, a Eustis babysitter arrested for leaving a 3-month-old outside on hot asphalt alone, Governor DeSantis and the new Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia announcing DOGE audits into Florida cities and municipalities and a new Disney animation experience coming to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in 2026.
Playbook Tuesday: DeSantis & Uthmeier on the offensive
This Playbook Tuesday, POLITICO reporter and Florida Playbook author Kimberly Leonard joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer via Zoom to break down the latest in Florida Politics, where Governor Ron DeSantis takes the offensive, with Blaise Ingoglia in commencing DOGE audits on Broward County and the city of Gainesville and with Attorney General James Uthmeier in going after the Miami Mayor and City Council who the State Supreme Court blocked from moving forward with delaying their elections a whole calendar year to align with the 2026 midterms.
This Playbook Tuesday, POLITICO reporter and Florida Playbook author Kimberly Leonard joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer via Zoom to break down the latest in Florida Politics, where Governor Ron DeSantis takes the offensive, with Blaise Ingoglia in commencing DOGE audits on Broward County and the city of Gainesville and with Attorney General James Uthmeier in going after the Miami Mayor and City Council who the State Supreme Court blocked from moving forward with delaying their elections a whole calendar year to align with the 2026 midterms.
Maddie Soto's mother absent from Sterns sentencing
Stephan Sterns received 21 life sentences for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-year-old Maddie Soto in Osceola County Court yesterday. He pled no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery. Lauren Cadilac, an attorney following the case, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the emotional day in the courtroom where Maddie's father spoke with his wife, and multiple members of Maddie's family gave emotional victim impact statements, often directly addressing and attacking Stephan Sterns. Maddie's mother, Jenn Soto, was not physically in the courtroom for the hearing.
Stephan Sterns received 21 life sentences for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-year-old Maddie Soto in Osceola County Court yesterday. He pled no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery. Lauren Cadilac, an attorney following the case, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the emotional day in the courtroom where Maddie's father spoke with his wife, and multiple members of Maddie's family gave emotional victim impact statements, often directly addressing and attacking Stephan Sterns. Maddie's mother, Jenn Soto, was not physically in the courtroom for the hearing.
New Disney Animation experience coming in 2026
Walt Disney World is offering a slew of new experiences, just announcing a new Disney animation experience to coming to Hollywood Studios, the grand opening of Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT today, and the new Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away Parade at Magic Kingdom. Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info and Drew Smith, Drew The Disney Dude join FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the latest and greatest at Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World is offering a slew of new experiences, just announcing a new Disney animation experience to coming to Hollywood Studios, the grand opening of Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT today, and the new Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away Parade at Magic Kingdom. Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info and Drew Smith, Drew The Disney Dude join FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the latest and greatest at Walt Disney World.
Maddie Soto case: Life in prison for Stephan Sterns
Stephan Sterns was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the sexual assault and murder of Madeline Soto, part of a plea deal that avoided two public trials and removed the death penalty as a potential penalty. Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree murder in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline and guilty to several counts of sexual abuse. A Florida judge accepted the plea deal and adjudicated Sterns guilty, before sentencing him to multiple life sentences in prison. Lauren Cadilac, attorney at Cadilac Law, joins FOX 35 News+ to talk about the plea deal.
Stephan Sterns was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the sexual assault and murder of Madeline Soto, part of a plea deal that avoided two public trials and removed the death penalty as a potential penalty. Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree murder in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline and guilty to several counts of sexual abuse. A Florida judge accepted the plea deal and adjudicated Sterns guilty, before sentencing him to multiple life sentences in prison. Lauren Cadilac, attorney at Cadilac Law, joins FOX 35 News+ to talk about the plea deal.
Microsoft rushes vulnerability fix to halt hackers
Matt Rose, CXO of Tech Rage IT, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer via Zoom to break down the global Microsoft server hack and the company rushing out a patch to close up the opening hackers were using to exploit the vulnerability in Microsoft's SharePoint collaboration software.
Matt Rose, CXO of Tech Rage IT, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer via Zoom to break down the global Microsoft server hack and the company rushing out a patch to close up the opening hackers were using to exploit the vulnerability in Microsoft's SharePoint collaboration software.
Top 4 news stories you need to know: July 21, 2025
FOX 35's John Brown & Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from Stephan Sterns being sentenced to life in prison for the murder and sexual battery of Maddie Soto, Blaise Ingoglia being sworn in as the new Florida Chief Financial Officer, a car slamming into an Orlando ice cream shop on security camera, and a Lake Mary Little Leaguer heading to Taiwan to represent Team USA.
FOX 35's John Brown & Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from Stephan Sterns being sentenced to life in prison for the murder and sexual battery of Maddie Soto, Blaise Ingoglia being sworn in as the new Florida Chief Financial Officer, a car slamming into an Orlando ice cream shop on security camera, and a Lake Mary Little Leaguer heading to Taiwan to represent Team USA.
Why did Stephan Sterns wait to plead guilty?
This afternoon, Stephan Sterns, the man accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old Maddie Soto is expected to plead guilty in Osceola County court. His trial for sexual battery was scheduled to begin tomorrow with jury selection and the murder trial was scheduled for later this year. Both of those cases could be resolved this afternoon. Criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to analyze the potential reasoning behind Sterns' defense team pushing for a guilty plea, what we can expect in court today and why the plea hearing would come less than 24 hours before jury selection was scheduled to begin.
This afternoon, Stephan Sterns, the man accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old Maddie Soto is expected to plead guilty in Osceola County court. His trial for sexual battery was scheduled to begin tomorrow with jury selection and the murder trial was scheduled for later this year. Both of those cases could be resolved this afternoon. Criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to analyze the potential reasoning behind Sterns' defense team pushing for a guilty plea, what we can expect in court today and why the plea hearing would come less than 24 hours before jury selection was scheduled to begin.
Stephan Sterns sentenced to life in prison
FOX 35's Randi Hildreth joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom just outside of the Osceola County courtroom where Stephan Sterns was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and sexual abuse of Maddie Soto.
FOX 35's Randi Hildreth joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom just outside of the Osceola County courtroom where Stephan Sterns was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and sexual abuse of Maddie Soto.
Top 4 stories you need to know: July 18
FOX 35's LuAnne Sorrell and Garrett Wymer break down four big stories in the FOX 35 newsroom on Friday, July 18, 2025, including three Los Angeles County deputies killed in an accidental explosion, a Brevard County murder suspect's defense team trying to get the death penalty taken off the table, new ramps opening this weekend to ease congestion on I-4 in Orlando's tourist district, and the hottest weekend of the year ahead.
FOX 35's LuAnne Sorrell and Garrett Wymer break down four big stories in the FOX 35 newsroom on Friday, July 18, 2025, including three Los Angeles County deputies killed in an accidental explosion, a Brevard County murder suspect's defense team trying to get the death penalty taken off the table, new ramps opening this weekend to ease congestion on I-4 in Orlando's tourist district, and the hottest weekend of the year ahead.
New Halloween Horror Nights entertainment revealed
Tharin White, lead publisher of EYNTK.info, talked with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer about new Halloween Horror Nights entertainment announced, and construction getting underway as Rip Ride Rockit prepares to close for good.
Tharin White, lead publisher of EYNTK.info, talked with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer about new Halloween Horror Nights entertainment announced, and construction getting underway as Rip Ride Rockit prepares to close for good.
Fla. Supreme Court upholds current redistricting map
UCF History Professor Dr. John Sacher joined FOX 35 News+ to talk about what the Florida Supreme Court's decision in a key redistricting case means and how it fits into larger conversations about redistricting and gerrymandering across the country.
UCF History Professor Dr. John Sacher joined FOX 35 News+ to talk about what the Florida Supreme Court's decision in a key redistricting case means and how it fits into larger conversations about redistricting and gerrymandering across the country.
Top 4 news stories you need to know: July 17, 2025
FOX 35's John Brown and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from the ACLU suing the Trump administration over legal issues at Alligator Alcatraz, a DeLand father charged after his 2-year-old was found alone outside, 50 Florida cities joining 'Good Trouble' protests in honor of John Lewis, and Magical Dining returning for its 20th anniversary.
FOX 35's John Brown and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from the ACLU suing the Trump administration over legal issues at Alligator Alcatraz, a DeLand father charged after his 2-year-old was found alone outside, 50 Florida cities joining 'Good Trouble' protests in honor of John Lewis, and Magical Dining returning for its 20th anniversary.
Legal questions surround 'Alligator Alcatraz'
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has officially filed a class-action lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration over lack of access to legal counsel and violations of due process for people detained at Florida?s "Alligator Alcatraz." The immigration detention facility opened earlier this month in the Florida Everglades. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer speaks with Magdalena Cuprys, an immigration attorney representing four detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, about some of the legal questions surrounding the detention center.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has officially filed a class-action lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration over lack of access to legal counsel and violations of due process for people detained at Florida?s "Alligator Alcatraz." The immigration detention facility opened earlier this month in the Florida Everglades. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer speaks with Magdalena Cuprys, an immigration attorney representing four detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, about some of the legal questions surrounding the detention center.
'Good Trouble Lives On' across Florida, U.S.
"Good Trouble Lives On" protests will be taking place across the country on Thursday, including in Central Florida. Nearly 50 Florida cities are expected to host the national day of action protests in response to "the attacks on our civil and human rights" by Donald Trump's administration. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer speaks with Michael Kniat, media liaison for the Brevard Progressives, about the protests.
"Good Trouble Lives On" protests will be taking place across the country on Thursday, including in Central Florida. Nearly 50 Florida cities are expected to host the national day of action protests in response to "the attacks on our civil and human rights" by Donald Trump's administration. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer speaks with Michael Kniat, media liaison for the Brevard Progressives, about the protests.
Top 4 news stories you need to know: July 16, 2025
FOX 35's Garrett Wymer and Marlisa Goldsmith break down the top news stories of the day, from Governor Ron DeSantis slighting President Donald Trump by ignoring his endorsement of State Senator Joe Gruters and instead appointing State Senator Blaise Ingoglia as Florida's next CFO, a judge setting the trial date for suspected FSU shooter Phoenix Ikner, an Ocala daycare worker accused of physically abusing infants and Florida search and rescue crews assisting in operations in Texas after the deadly flooding.
FOX 35's Garrett Wymer and Marlisa Goldsmith break down the top news stories of the day, from Governor Ron DeSantis slighting President Donald Trump by ignoring his endorsement of State Senator Joe Gruters and instead appointing State Senator Blaise Ingoglia as Florida's next CFO, a judge setting the trial date for suspected FSU shooter Phoenix Ikner, an Ocala daycare worker accused of physically abusing infants and Florida search and rescue crews assisting in operations in Texas after the deadly flooding.
Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones preview
Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the latest reveals for the new scare zones at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights, Epic Universe staying open later starting at the end of the month, a new indoor roller coaster at Legoland Florida and the controversial Walt Disney animatronic that just opened at Disneyland California.
Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the latest reveals for the new scare zones at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights, Epic Universe staying open later starting at the end of the month, a new indoor roller coaster at Legoland Florida and the controversial Walt Disney animatronic that just opened at Disneyland California.