Florida State News

Fla. ranked 42nd in nation in per-pupil spending

Florida's per-pupil spending is among the lowest in the nation according to data compiled by the U.S. Census.

Homes next to Florida sinkhole to be demolished

The homes on either side of the Tampa area house where a sinkhole opened under a man's bedroom are being demolished.

Man goes missing while on Keys boating trip

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities in the Florida Keys are searching for a man who went missing during a boating trip.

School districts to dole out teacher pay raises

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida teachers could start receiving raises soon now that Gov. Rick Scott has signed the state budget for next year. The $74 billion budget takes effect July 1.

Veto does not deter backers of bike trail

Gov. Rick Scott's veto of money to build a bike trail across Florida from St. Petersburg to Brevard County is not deterring supporters of the project.

Killed 18-foot python is state record

(NBC News) -- A Miami man pulled an 18-foot Burmese python out of roadside brush and wrestled with it for 10 minutes before cutting its head off with a knife.

Ocala man dies when storm topples tree on car

Police say a 28-year-old Ocala man died when a large oak tree fell on his vehicle during a thunderstorm. 

18-foot-8-inch python caught in South Florida

Wildlife officials say a Burmese python nearly 19 feet long has been captured in South Florida. 

WR Johnson arrested in probation violation

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson has been arrested for a probation violation stemming from an altercation with his now ex-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada. 

Online support grows for expelled Florida student

The case started in February, but has since garnered national attention for what some media portray as a gay rights issue.

Face-chewing victim continues recovery in Miami

A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues treatment for his injuries.

Florida conducts ambitious hurricane exercise

Florida's emergency management leaders are really creating a complicated and dangerous scenario for their annual hurricane drill this year.

Waiting for word from biggest Powerball winner ever

The Florida Lottery says just like the rest of the world, it is still waiting to hear from the winner of that blockbuster $590 million Powerball jackpot.

Gov. Scott vetoes $368M in projects

Gov. Rick Scott uses his veto pen to slash $368 million from next year's state budget, including $50 million to complete a bike trail from St. Petersburg to Brevard County.

Sales tax holiday in August

Powerball win in Zephyrhills makes history

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WTSP) -- It was a single Quick Pick ticket sold on Saturday at a Publix in Zephyrhills that won the largest Powerball jackpot ever, according to Florida Lottery officials.

Jekyll breaking ground on overdue convention hotel

Developers are set to start construction on a new convention hotel for Jekyll Island after long delays that largely resulted from difficulties getting a bank loan for the $41 million project. 

Inmate who escaped from Miss. captured in Florida

Florida Highway Patrol officials say they have arrested an inmate who escaped from a Mississippi state work camp. They also arrested the woman they say helped him flee. 

Lightning strike, fire destroys Longwood home

MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- A lightning strike sparked a fire that destroyed a Marion County home Saturday. 

Coast Guard rescues 13 from sinking boat in Fla.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued 13 people after their boat sank in the waters off Clearwater.

Florida city, who among us won Powerball jackpot?

(USA Today) -- The Florida sun was shining a little bit brighter Sunday on an unidentified person who beat odds of 175 million-to-1 on a Powerball ticket worth $590.5 million, the single largest winning lottery ticket in U.S. history.

Governor signs death warrants at a pace rarely seen

Gov. Rick Scott is signing death warrants at a pace rarely seen in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.