Community News
Monday, May 18, 2026 · Lake Alfred
Afternoon Storms, Growth Strains Test Southwest Florida Infrastructure
Southwest Florida braces for daily thunderstorms and 100-degree heat this week as drainage systems strain under the weight of rapid growth.
Tampa Bay Times Shifts Resources to Florida-Focused Watchdog Reporting
The Tampa Bay Times is concentrating reporting on Florida government, business and neighborhoods as many regional outlets elsewhere have shrunk or closed.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Spectrum News 13 expands hyperlocal coverage across Central Florida
Spectrum News 13 tailors hyperlocal coverage across nine Central Florida counties, with weather updates every 10 minutes and traffic tracking focused on specific commute corridors.
Monday, May 18, 2026
NBC 6 Covers Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Broward
NBC 6 delivers local news and weather coverage to Miami-Dade, Broward and surrounding South Florida communities.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Winter Haven man arrested for DUI, driving 100 mph on revoked license
Winter Haven man Joseph Olivera, 49, arrested for driving 100 mph on a revoked license with 13 active suspensions.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Boy Scout Plants Distance Markers on Lake Conine Trail
Boy Scout Max Zellers installed distance markers along the 0.9-mile trail at Lake Conine Nature Park in April, helping runners track their pace as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Monday, May 18, 2026
3rd Street NW Closes May 26 for Project Work
Winter Haven closes 3rd Street NW starting May 26. The city has posted detour routes and parking information for affected facilities.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Winter Haven Issues Boil Water Notice After Main Break
Winter Haven issued a boil water notice for about 50 homes on Avenue P NW and Avenue R NW following a water main break May 26. The notice remains in effect pending water safety testing.
Monday, May 18, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, May 18, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, May 18, 2026