WFLA News Channel 8 is a news leader in Tampa Bay.

Tampa, FL
Is your meth contaminated with coronavirus? This Florida police dept. will test it for free bit.ly/39q4BnF
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Clearwater Beach, Florida is PACKED today despite "social distancing" recommendations. bit.ly/38RaaKV
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HEARTWARMING ❤ Hillsborough County Fire Rescue teams have saved 104 pets since Hurricane Milton hit. "This dog’s eyes say it all." STORY: bit.ly/4ezSd66
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HELLO, I'M TROOPER! The dog saved by FHP after being found tied to a fence on I-75 near Tampa during evacuations for Hurricane Milton has a fitting new name! bit.ly/3U1immg
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Florida lawmaker to ban transgender drugs, surgery for minors | @EvanDonovan reports bit.ly/38kYd5q
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WATCH: Protesters calling for gyms to reopen in Florida are doing squats and push-ups outside the Clearwater courthouse 8.wfla.com/2L9nDUQ #Florida #COVID19
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4 Disney employees arrested in Polk County human trafficking campaign, deputies say
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WARNING..... INVASION HAPPENING❗ Batten down the hatches, the pirates are coming! ☠️☠️ #Pirateson8 #Gasparilla #HeyJB @WFLAJB @WFLAAmanda @JackRoyer Watch live coverage here: bit.ly/3jd3iCI
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Reese’s selling giant 3.25-pound Peanut Butter Cup ‘pie’ for Thanksgiving bit.ly/3wPNDeV
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REST IN PEACE 💔: Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, was fatally shot by Florida deputies after they burst into the wrong apartment last week, according to his family's attorney. Here's what we know: bit.ly/3whsNcN
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#BREAKING: On first day of Pride Month, @GovRonDeSantis signs bill banning transgender females from girls' and women's sports bit.ly/3i8Q07e
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JUST IN: @GovRonDeSantis named one of @TIME 's most influential people bit.ly/3Gf2nIX
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom says there’s no chance “on God’s green earth” he’s running for president in 2024, but he wants to make clear that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running, is “weak” and “undisciplined” and “will be crushed by Donald Trump.” bit.ly/449xzEs
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'This is ridiculous': @GovRonDeSantis scolds students for wearing face masks during his @USouthFlorida visit bit.ly/3vx0DaJ
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Happy birthday Gov. Ron DeSantis! Today, the governor of the Sunshine State turns 44 years old. bit.ly/2mLBzrK
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Florida man with viral mugshot arrested again wfla.com/1611583817
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POWERFUL: Technical Sergeant Jason Covey plays "Taps" standing alone in the Culpeper National Cemetery for Memorial Day. bit.ly/2A9NdHe
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PUSHING FALSE CLAIMS? | JD Vance and Elon Musk are among the national figures who pushed claims that Haitian immigrants are abducting and eating pets in Ohio. Police say the claims are fake. Read more: bit.ly/3ZkIDzc
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Florida gay pride parade canceled after anti-drag show law passes bit.ly/3V0ElsM
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SUBSTATIONS TARGETED: Report shows ‘intrusions’ at Duke Energy power stations in Tampa Bay, elsewhere in Florida bit.ly/3h88ers
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MEET BUBBA! This 7-foot alligator provided emotional support to kids at a Florida school. Details: bit.ly/3Pauu0P
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EX-RED SOX PLAYER ARRESTED: A Florida sheriff said ex-Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox was arrested after he tried to meet a teen girl for sex but got caught by deputies instead. Read more: bit.ly/3QREwpn
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#BREAKING | President Joe Biden has approved Florida's Emergency Declaration ahead of Hurricane Milton. Read more: bit.ly/3BKzI07
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VIRAL VIDEO: "During middle school, my stepdad used to leave me a note on my door each day to inspire me. Well, I kept those notes & it’s been six years since then. Today I gave him those notes back." (via @Sophia_Kallie) wfla.com/2085865500
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OVERTURNED: A judge issued a final order Friday to overturn a Florida law pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that attempted to limit diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces. 8.wfla.com/3WDJUzv
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VIDEO: DeSantis helps Waffle House employees cook for first responders in Sarasota County. bit.ly/3Y3tDn7
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DeSantis says any insinuation Florida doesn't have best data is typical partisan narrative. "You've got a lot of people in your profession who waxed poetically for weeks and weeks about how Florida was going to be just like NY." bit.ly/2Tl8NiE
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College Board says it won't alter AP courses to comply with Florida's laws bit.ly/3Xcof0j
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DARING RESCUE: A Florida man and NewsNation's @BrianEntin helped rescue a dog from Hurricane Ian. Read the full story bit.ly/3y0fRp9
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Biden predicts student loan forgiveness checks will go out within two weeks 8.wfla.com/3syo4xP
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Florida man arrested for slapping pregnant woman who was smoking a cigarette bit.ly/2SBXMrD
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Jimmy Carter no longer awake every day, grandson says bit.ly/3yUvTEl
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WATCH: Massive bear named 'T-Shirt' gets stuck in dumpster bit.ly/2NJCnKV
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Tampa pride event cancelled after DeSantis signs 'anti-drag' bill bit.ly/3IlOISG
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THANK YOU LINEMEN! Crews are working around the clock to help restore power to people affected by Hurricane Milton! bit.ly/4dHM3Qf
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HUNKERED DOWN 🦩🌀 A group of flamingos at Sunken Gardens in St. Pete had a "hurricane party" in the bathroom. The flamingos were "safe with staff on site to see them through the storm." 8.wfla.com/2SHfWMZ
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'It's time we put a felon in the White House,' sheriff says bit.ly/3wZ5UuX
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Charlie Crist asks DOJ to investigate DeSantis’ pop-up vaccine sites for wealthy Florida neighborhoods bit.ly/2ZD1MfW
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCE HARRY 🎉 The youngest son of England's King Charles III and Princess Diana turns 38 today! bit.ly/3BRLRhL
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REST IN PEACE: Sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, along with their parents Donna and Peter, died in the D.C. plane crash Wednesday night. Their family is among the dozens of victims who were killed in the collision. Read more about their story: bit.ly/40Ce5rK
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Two women are facing a felony charge after police said they went to a man's apartment in Clearwater and started throwing glitter at him during an argument. 8.wfla.com/3zKthVO
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POLL: In the video from USF, do you think Governor DeSantis was rude or bullied the students wearing masks? Video: bit.ly/3IIirmX @GovRonDeSantis #DeSantis
9% Yes
91% No
40,694 votes • Final results
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VERY GOOD BOY!🎓🐾 A service dog named Chief graduated college alongside his owner last week. The golden retriever even had a custom-made cap and gown (10/10 Chief, you did a great job! @dog_rates) wfla.com/2036722289
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A NEW HOME🩶 Stingrays at Tropicana Field relocated to The Florida Aquarium after hurricane damage bit.ly/3NtjPhr
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#BREAKING: Gov. DeSantis says he's issuing statewide stay-at-home order in response to #coronavirus pandemic 8.wfla.com/2R3nJ3C
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REMEMBERING GABBY: Tampa Bay corn maze honors Gabby Petito bit.ly/3G5dnbw
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FIRST TIME EVER: For the first time ever the Rays, Lightning, and Buccaneers all made the playoffs in the same calendar year bit.ly/2KBLT5n
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FLORIDA SUED | The Sunshine State has been sued for using taxpayer money on a website to promote a "misinformation" campaign against the abortion amendment. Read more: bit.ly/4cZDhg0
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FAMILY RESCUED: A man's quick thinking got him and his grandmother rescued from Sanibel Island after using a reflector to get a Coast Guard air crew's attention. Read more: bit.ly/3LYh2Ly
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'I did a film called Clueless': @PascoSheriff releases body cam video of actress Stacey Dash's arrest in New Port Richey | Watch full video: 8.wfla.com/2oy5sA2
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ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES: The owner of a dog who was found abandoned ahead of Hurricane Milton is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, the State Attorney's Office said. STORY: bit.ly/402yxmT
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Earth spinning faster than it has in 5 decades, scientists say 8.wfla.com/35ftMJD
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Florida House Democrats are urging action after a “damning” report from 60 Minutes on Sunday in which whistleblowers allege insurance companies significantly altered damage reports to underpay claims after Hurricane Ian. 8.wfla.com/3zwUW13
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CONGRATS, SHERIFF! 🚓 Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is celebrating 52 years on the job! bit.ly/2zXFfAx
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ANNA PAULINA LUNA PROJECTED TO WIN: NewsNation says Anna Paulina Luna will win reelection to U.S. House in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. bit.ly/4ffpWSF
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Happy birthday, Gov. Ron DeSantis! Today, the governor of the Sunshine State turns 45 years old. bit.ly/2mLBzrK
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WATCH: Tear gas was used Tuesday afternoon to disperse protesters at the University of South Florida. READ MORE: 8.wfla.com/4aTsRhG
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A Ford Mustang has been removed from the Laundrie home in North Port as the FBI and police conduct their search at the home. bit.ly/2XHYIlc
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#BREAKING: California bans state travel to Florida, 4 other states bit.ly/35VMFRT
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Singer-songwriter Chris Brown arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida last night for out-of-county warrant. Has concert scheduled tonight in #tampa at the MidFlorida Credit Union Ampitheatre (Florida State Fairgrounds).
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#BREAKING: DeSantis signs 6-week abortion ban bill bit.ly/41oHBjx
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‘Highly suspicious:’ How cadaver dogs missed skeletal remains while searching for Brian Laundrie at Florida reserve bit.ly/2Z9KNoU
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AMAZING VIDEO: This Australian news photographer covering Hurricane Ian jumped into action after spotting a family carrying children and supplies through rising floodwaters. bit.ly/3M6Bha9
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CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH🌈: Mile-long pride flag stretches across the state of Florida bit.ly/44031oz
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacted to President Joe Biden ending his re-election campaign by attacking Vice President Kamala Harris, who many are endorsing to be the new Democratic nominee. 8.wfla.com/4d9SyeJ
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STAY GOLDEN! The U.S. Postal Service will be rolling out a new stamp in honor of the late Betty White. Read more: bit.ly/3YOb6vn
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Three hurricanes, two of which were major hurricanes, have made landfall in Taylor County in the last 13 months. 8.wfla.com/4eF1zNI
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRINCE HARRY🥳🎂 The Duke of Sussex is turning 40 today! bit.ly/2zXFfAx
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is celebrating her 41st birthday today! wfla.com/celebrity-news
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MASSIVE CROWDS AT BEACH FOR SPRING BREAK: Eagle 8 HD is over Clearwater Beach where thousands are enjoying a beautiful day on the Gulf Coast. bit.ly/3w6lvWx
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE 💙 Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd celebrates 50 years of service bit.ly/3RPR3Zk
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CARS SUBMERGED IN SAND: WFLA viewer Kat P. shared photos of vehicles submerged in sand at Pass-A-Grille Beach on Friday More storm damage photos here: bit.ly/47H3Wx4
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'She's not a data scientist. She's somebody that's got a degree in journalism, communication & geography.' Gov. DeSantis, asked again about the firing of Rebekah Jones, says she was putting data on the portal that scientists didn't believe was valid. bit.ly/2Tl8NiE
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WOW! This driver had a close call after their car ended up crashing into the second floor of this Pennsylvania home. Read more: bit.ly/3DNIVma
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CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Surveillance camera video captured the moment a gunman opened fire in downtown Orlando on Halloween night. Police body camera video shows the 17-year-old suspect's arrest. STORY: bit.ly/4hwarYg
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GYM PROTEST: A group of protesters has gathered outside the courthouse in Clearwater, calling for gyms to reopen in Florida 8.wfla.com/2L9nDUQ
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FUEL INCOMING: Fuel tankers are now leaving Port Tampa Bay to supply gas stations in hurricane-hit zones. Read more: 8.wfla.com/3Nm7Wd2
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Brian Laundrie's family could face charges, former FBI agent says bit.ly/3FS9Yf7
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. JILL BIDEN! The First Lady of the United States is celebrating her 72nd birthday today wfla.com/
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YOUR THOUGHTS? @GovRonDeSantis vows to sign "Constitutional Carry" law allowing Floridians to carry concealed firearms without a license | @WFLASam reports: bit.ly/3MDLbz0
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONY DANZA 🥳 The actor, who starred in sitcoms like "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss?" turns 72 today! bit.ly/3H1CNsD
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEGHAN MARKLE🎊🎁 The Duchess of Sussex and wife of Prince Harry is 43 today! bit.ly/2zXFfAx
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FUEL UPDATE: As of 6 p.m. Friday, 25 tankers have left Port Tampa Bay. 8.wfla.com/3Nm7Wd2
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ABORTION BAN: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 5, banning abortions after 15 weeks without exemptions bit.ly/3OeJ7ig
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'Non-scalable' barrier goes up around White House before election 8.wfla.com/2Jnd0A2
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A Hummer burst into flames yesterday right after firefighters say the driver filled up four 5-gallon containers of gasoline in Citrus County. bit.ly/3eJKoyo
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Drivers traveling into Florida across state lines will now be treated with new signs. Read more: bit.ly/3LCx3rn
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'It's Rob!' Pope Leo XIV's brother, a Florida resident, says he had '1 in 3 chance of becoming pope' bit.ly/4jP7tPg
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Latest details in #miamibuildingcollapse: - 1 person dead - 53 accounted for - 99 people unaccounted for - Search and rescue continues bit.ly/3dcFbh9
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'Every time he makes a campaign stop, voters seem to step back." To stop decline, pull DeSantis off trail, political analyst says @WFLAMahsa reports: bit.ly/3NXin7U
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DeSantis says he fell asleep listening to Biden’s State of the Union address bit.ly/35hK5ZO
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Brian Laundrie's notebook, backpack located in Carlton Reserve where partial human remains found, FBI says bit.ly/3E2SrQK
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Rep. Matt Gaetz: "If wiretapping a political opponent is an impeachable offense, I look forward to reading that IG report because maybe it's a different president we should be impeaching." 8.wfla.com/3633wQu #ImpeachmentHearings
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NO LAB-GROWN MEAT | Gov. DeSantis signed legislation banning the sale of lab-grown meat in Florida. Read more: bit.ly/3yaDMVC
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