Could Orlando and Tampa Bay form the next megaregion?
A region where boundaries between cities are no longer clear form a megaregion. Orlando to Tampa Bay has all the makings of being the next great one.
A region where boundaries between cities are no longer clear form a megaregion. Orlando to Tampa Bay has all the makings of being the next great one.
World's first 'Peppa Pig' theme park opening in February 2022 in Florida
The world's first "Peppa Pig" theme park is opening in February 2022 in Polk County.
The world's first "Peppa Pig" theme park is opening in February 2022 in Polk County.
60 international educators hired to fill teacher shortages in Polk County
Polk County Schools hired 60 teachers from all over the world to help fill vacancies they couldn't otherwise. It's part of a teacher exchange program where educators are provided housing and employed under J-1 visas.
Polk County Schools hired 60 teachers from all over the world to help fill vacancies they couldn't otherwise. It's part of a teacher exchange program where educators are provided housing and employed under J-1 visas.
Deputies: Suspect in I-4 biker gang shootout charged with murder
Deputies say they believe Ronald Donovan sparked the shootout on I-4 that left his girlfriend dead.
Deputies say they believe Ronald Donovan sparked the shootout on I-4 that left his girlfriend dead.
Winter Haven receives $9 million grant from state for road infrastructure, job growth
Governor Ron DeSantis said Winter Haven will receive more than $9 million to support “economic growth.”
Governor Ron DeSantis said Winter Haven will receive more than $9 million to support “economic growth.”
Sheriff: Woman injured in I-4 biker shootout dies; man charged with murder
Ronald Donovan is now facing a 2nd degree murder charge.
Ronald Donovan is now facing a 2nd degree murder charge.
Sheriff: Woman dies following motorcycle gang shootout on I-4; Boyfriend charged with second-degree murder
A 33-year-old woman from Brevard County has died following a motorcycle gang shootout on I-4 early Friday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A 33-year-old woman from Brevard County has died following a motorcycle gang shootout on I-4 early Friday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
'On-the-job disagreement' led to Davenport triple murder, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Monday identified the three out-of-state contractors killed over the weekend in Davenport, allegedly by an angry co-worker.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Monday identified the three out-of-state contractors killed over the weekend in Davenport, allegedly by an angry co-worker.
47-year-old Lakeland man posed as teenager to obtain nude photos of 14-year-old girl, sheriff says
Polk deputies arrested a 47-year-old Lakeland man who they said went on Snapchat and began messaging a 14-year-old girl, telling her he was 17 in order to get her to send him nude photos.
Polk deputies arrested a 47-year-old Lakeland man who they said went on Snapchat and began messaging a 14-year-old girl, telling her he was 17 in order to get her to send him nude photos.
Auburndale police arrest teenage suspect accused of killing 17-year-old
Police in Auburndale arrested a 16-year-old suspect accused of shooting and killing a teenager.
Police in Auburndale arrested a 16-year-old suspect accused of shooting and killing a teenager.
Video shows trooper's maneuver that saved deputy during I-4 chase
A Polk County sheriff's deputy can thank an FHP trooper for possibly saving his life Monday during a police chase along Interstate 4.
A Polk County sheriff's deputy can thank an FHP trooper for possibly saving his life Monday during a police chase along Interstate 4.
‘I would have never let him out of custody’: Sheriff Grady Judd's reaction to search for Brian Laundrie
Sheriff Grady Judd is not involved in the Gabby Petito case, but the Polk County sheriff speculated on how he would’ve handled Brian Laundrie within his jurisdiction. For one, he said, Brian would have been taken into custody.
Sheriff Grady Judd is not involved in the Gabby Petito case, but the Polk County sheriff speculated on how he would’ve handled Brian Laundrie within his jurisdiction. For one, he said, Brian would have been taken into custody.
15 Kathleen High School students arrested after rowdy protest
It was a rough start to the week at Kathleen High School in Lakeland. Hundreds of students protested outside the school, and as tensions escalated, law enforcement was called in to keep the calm.
It was a rough start to the week at Kathleen High School in Lakeland. Hundreds of students protested outside the school, and as tensions escalated, law enforcement was called in to keep the calm.
Polk sheriff: Lakeland man attacked deputy while being arrested for girlfriend's murder
A Lakeland man is accused of murdering his girlfriend and burying her body, then attacking a Polk deputy who tried to arrest him.
A Lakeland man is accused of murdering his girlfriend and burying her body, then attacking a Polk deputy who tried to arrest him.
Giant rattlesnake caught in Polk County
A wildlife trapper said he captured a massive rattlesnake in Polk County. A woman called Dustin Hooper with All Creatures Wildlife Control for help after she spotted the snake in her chicken coop. Hooper said the snake was nearly six feet in length and estimated it was about 10 years old.
A wildlife trapper said he captured a massive rattlesnake in Polk County. A woman called Dustin Hooper with All Creatures Wildlife Control for help after she spotted the snake in her chicken coop. Hooper said the snake was nearly six feet in length and estimated it was about 10 years old.
After just one day on the job, firefighter puts training into action
Jacob Perez had had just completed his first shift as a firefighter after graduating two days earlier. He was headed home when he came across a terrible crash but sprung into action while off duty, rendering aid until responding Clermont units arrived.
Jacob Perez had had just completed his first shift as a firefighter after graduating two days earlier. He was headed home when he came across a terrible crash but sprung into action while off duty, rendering aid until responding Clermont units arrived.
Haitian refugees staying with their families in Central Florida
Haitian-Americans say refugees have been heading to Central Florida, where many are staying with families.
Haitian-Americans say refugees have been heading to Central Florida, where many are staying with families.
Polk woman scrambles to find ECMO machine as husband fights for his life
Kassandra Figueroa is a desperate woman. She is on a mission to find something that is very scarce – an apparatus called an ECMO – to save her husband’s life.
Kassandra Figueroa is a desperate woman. She is on a mission to find something that is very scarce – an apparatus called an ECMO – to save her husband’s life.
Auburndale High teacher dies at Lakeland hospital after contracting COVID-19
An Auburndale High School science teacher has died after contracting COVID-19. D?Anthony Dorsey was just 24 years old and a life-long athlete.
An Auburndale High School science teacher has died after contracting COVID-19. D?Anthony Dorsey was just 24 years old and a life-long athlete.
Sheriff Judd: 11-year-old girl who survived shooting played dead, prayed
An 11-year-old girl is the only person to survive the shooting. Sheriff Judd said the girl told investigators she played dead and prayed. Sheriff Judd said the suspect, Bryan Riley, shot the girl several times in the legs before a deputy ran into the home to save her.
An 11-year-old girl is the only person to survive the shooting. Sheriff Judd said the girl told investigators she played dead and prayed. Sheriff Judd said the suspect, Bryan Riley, shot the girl several times in the legs before a deputy ran into the home to save her.