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Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3XVr6dv

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced plans to block state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory.  

The Republican governor debuted the proposal as part of a larger, higher education legislative package that is expected to be taken up by the GOP-controlled statehouse when its regular session begins in March.  

DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has heavily criticized critical race theory, which examines systemic racism — as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programs, commonly known as DEI.

DeSantis pushes ban on diversity programs in state colleges

Ford is recalling over 634,000 SUVs worldwide because a cracked fuel injector can spill fuel or leak vapors onto a hot engine and cause fires.

Ford recalls over 634K SUVs due to fuel leaks and fire risk

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3R9LO6I  

We’re just days away from Gasparilla, where hundreds of thousands of people will fill the streets and the water, tossing beads into the crowds.  

Rebecca Schwartz is no stranger to the event.

Tampa Police Divers prepare to protect waters before, during, and after Gasparilla

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3HERXok   

The video shocked the nation, sparking protests in several U.S. cities. And now, local activists are speaking up.  

“They never saw, or never realized or never felt that he was a human being,” said Yvette Lewis, president of the Hillsborough County NAACP.  

The video shows officers throwing Tyre to the ground, hitting, punching and kicking him several times. “Seem like Tyre Nichols was in agonizing pain,” said civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. 

He’s also serving as the attorney for the Tyre family.

Local reaction to the video showing the beating death of Tyre Nichols

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3JGCsxN  

The Tampa Bay Community Action Committee held a rally in downtown Tampa Saturday in response to the recent death of Tyree Nichols.

Local Activists Hold Anti-violence Rally in Tampa

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3HTbC3W  

A Pinellas County toddler was diagnosed with a golfball-sized brain tumor last month.  Chelsey Stillwell said her two-year-old daughter, Callie, started vomiting and had a fever in December.   

At first, doctors thought she had a stomach bug.

Pinellas County toddler diagnosed with golfball-sized brain tumor

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3j21MDx  

Dozens of parents expressed their concern over the future of Palma Sola Elementary School in Bradenton at a meeting on Wednesday night.  

The school is nearly 60 years old and district leaders said renovating the school would cost too much money.  "It's in the heart of west/northwest Bradenton. 

There are homes all around it surrounding it. There is not a single major road in sight. We walk to school every single day," said Kristina Snyderman, a parent.

Manatee County parents concerned over the future of Palma Sola Elementary School

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3kJn09F

There’s a good chance if you’re throwing or catching beads during Saturday’s parade, that they came from Buccaneer Beads in Tampa.  

“This year is going to be one the largest Gasparillas ever just with the amount of inventory that has come in and out the door, this is the most I’ve ever done,” said owner Jennifer Grindell.  

From all the colors in the rainbow to unicorns, flamingos and skeletons, Buccaneer Beads wants to make sure there’s something for everyone.

Buccaneer Beads estimates record year

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3HR1EQS   

A young Haines City police officer receives Polk County’s top law enforcement honor.  

Patrol officer Haley Mcdonald has only been on the Haines City police force for a little more than a year but has made a lasting impression.

Young Haines City officer named Polk’s Officer of the Year

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/408Wp5W

Danielle Nalven and her husband started Tree House Farm for their own personal use. With a love of animals and the want to provide an educational experience, it evolved.   

The couple traded suburban life for rural and a place to provide animals with a loving, caring home.   The farm is only open to the public on certain weekends.

You can walk around their personal property at your leisure.

Couple starts Tree House Farm just outside of Trinity

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3XZbOnL

A Lakeland toddler is receiving chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a rare disease.  

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is characterized by an abnormal excess of certain immune cells. The disorder causes lesions on a child's organs.  

Melissa Harris said her daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed at six months old. She noticed lesions on her skin and knew it was more than a rash or baby acne when it never healed.

Lakeland toddler battles rare disease-causing lesions

Strawberries have been grown in the Plant City area since the 1800s, and the industry and annual strawberry festival have big economic impacts on our state.   

Strawberry Festival president Kyle Robinson said almost 550,000 people are in attendance every year, and that the event is very profitable for the Tampa Bay area. 

“The statistics from 2015 show that $26 million of direct tourism dollars go into our local community,” Robinson said.

Strawberry industry and festival provide economic boost to the Tampa Bay area

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating a drive-by shooting in Lakeland that left ten people injured Monday afternoon.  

Lakeland Police said officers were called to the area near Iowa Avenue North and Plum Street — which is just north of downtown — around 3:40 p.m.   

During a news conference, Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said a dark blue, 4-door Nissan sedan with tinted windows and a paper tag drove onto the street and rolled down all four of its windows.

10 people injured, 2 critical after drive-by shooting in Lakeland

Full Story: https://wfts.tv/3HADJ6P

According to the most recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, Polk County was the fastest-growing county in the U.S. in 2021. 

The report specifically named Lakeland-Winter Haven the seventh fastest-growing metro area in the country.  

“Today is a culmination of a lot of hard work on behalf of the City of Winter Haven — our planning committee and our planning commission to finally have workforce housing coming to Winter Haven,” the city’s Mayor Bradley Dantzler told ABC Action News at a very special event on January 30.  

It was the groundbreaking of Winter Haven’s first affordable housing complex, two years in the making.

Winter Haven breaks ground on its first affordable housing complex