Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a package of public safety bills aimed at strengthening penalties for violent and repeat offenders, curbing emerging drug threats and updating gang and offender-registration laws.

An Army Reserve soldier from Winter Haven has been identified as one of the first six service members killed since the United States began its conflict with Iran.

After a public outcry last year about a Department of Environmental Protection proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill designed to prevent construction of golf courses, resort-style lodges and sports facilities in state parks.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three bills into law on Wednesday afternoon during a news conference in Winter Haven.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference Friday morning to discuss the arrests of 225 people in an undercover investigation named “Fool Around and Find Out.”

State and local officials gathered in Winter Haven to announce a rail infrastructure project aimed at expanding freight efficiency and fueling economic growth in Polk County.

Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference with Attorney General Ashley Moody and other officials Wednesday morning in Winter Haven.

Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference with Attorney General Ashley Moody and other officials Wednesday morning in Winter Haven.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday is set to hold a news conference with law enforcement officials in Winter Haven.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday is set to hold a news conference with law enforcement officials in Winter Haven.

Authorities are searching for two boaters missing and believed drowned in a central Florida lake near the Legoland theme park.

Sheriff's officials say a 76-year-old passenger was killed when a vehicle being test driven by an 86-year-old man turned into the path of another car just outside the Florida car dealership.

Legoland Florida Resort is officially designated as a certified autism center, making it the first theme park resort to receive this certification.

A Florida sheriff says 41 people are charged with dozens of crimes in an effort to take down the leadership of a group called the Sex Money Murder gang.

The boys basketball state semifinals are this week in Lakeland and four teams from the area are headed down there. A glance at Ponte Vedra, which plays in the Class 6A final four on Thursday night.

Officials say a man suspected in a series of central Florida crimes broke a beer bottle over his head and was shot by a sheriff’s deputy who thought the sound was a gunshot.

A central Florida college is eliminating $1.2 million in student debt to alleviate financial hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Joined by Florida Republican lawmakers and representatives from law enforcement agencies around the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday morning signed into law the controversial so-called anti-riot bill that aims to address protests that turn violent.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A missing 15-year-old Winter Haven girl might be traveling to Jacksonville to meet a man, police said on Friday. Police said an investigation led authorities to believe that Haylee is trying to get the Jacksonville area, possibly to meet a 29-year-old man. She has burgundy hair and hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a red and white-striped dress with a blue jean jacket. She has not made any threats to harm herself nor does she have any medical conditions, police said. Anyone with information on Haylee’s whereabouts is asked to call police Winter Haven police at 863-401-2256.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Peppa Pig is about to get its own theme park at Legoland Florida Resort. (WKMG)Beginning in 2022, the popular children’s character, known for her British accent and content for preschoolers, will have an all-new standalone theme park. AdPeppa the Pig theme park at Legoland Florida (Merlin Entertainment)The new theme park will be separately ticketed and will be within walking distance to Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel and the entrance to Legoland Florida Theme Park. Merlin Entertainment, which runs Legoland parks, has entered an exclusive multi-territory agreement with Hasbro, which owns Peppa Pig. Parents with “little piggies” can be among the first to hear some of the big news about the new theme park by signing up here.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Legoland theme park in Florida is planning an expansion next year including new rides, according to plans filed with the city nearest the attraction. Legoland Florida spokeswoman Kelly Hornick told The Ledger in Lakeland that more would be revealed about the expansion plans in 2021 — which is the 10th anniversary of the theme park's opening on the former site of Cypress Gardens. Legoland Florida has expanded repeatedly since opening in October 2011. Like other Florida theme parks, Legoland Florida closed in March after Florida Gov. Legoland operates eight theme parks around the world, including in Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, Japan, California and Dubai.

Ron DeSantis announced a bill to get tough with any protesters who attack police officers or cause property damage. While DeSantis said Florida hasn’t seen the type of violent protests that have occurred in other states, he said he wants to make sure they don’t happen here. DeSantis also said law enforcement would use the RICO Act to prosecute any groups found to be funding or organizing protests that turn violent. “Recently in our country we have seen attacks on law enforcement, we’ve seen disorder and tumult in many cities,” DeSantis said. It’s wrong and it’s unconstitutional,” state Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat who is running for the state Senate, tweeted Monday afternoon.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. A 28-year-old Florida woman is accused in the death of an infant who was left in her care, sheriff's officials said. Samantha Mariel Angeles De La Rosa was arrested Wednesday in the death of the 4-month-old girl, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. Deputies found the baby unresponsive with multiple bruises on her head, face and body when they went to the home Tuesday, the sheriff's statement said. Angeles told investigators that a 21-month-old toddler pulled the baby off of a changing table, causing her to fall to the floor, a report said. She told investigators she grabbed the baby by the shoulders and struck her head against the changing table, the report said.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. Legoland Florida Resort will officially reopen on June 1, the park announced on Friday. The Resort will initially open with adjusted operating hours. New health & safety measures have been rolled out to help keep guests safe. The park recommends and encourages guests to bring and wear masks for everyones safety. For more information, click here.