Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced expedited construction timelines for several “Moving Florida Forward” infrastructure projects, including the widening of I-4 in Osceola and Polk counties and the Poinciana Parkway Connector Project in Osceola County.

A look at Thursday’s Class 6A girls basketball championship game between Ponte Vedra and Bloomingdale.

A look at Thursday’s Class 6A boys basketball championship game between Ponte Vedra and Pembroke Pines Charter.

The Bishop Kenny girls basketball team ran into a dynasty.

The Jackson basketball team chased a championship down to the wire but fell in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday in Lakeland.

The Jackson boys basketball team is heading to the state championship game.

It was a tough day in Lakeland for the Providence boys and girls basketball teams at the state semifinals in Lakeland.

A glance at the Class 4A girls basketball state semifinals.

A glance at the Class 4A boys basketball state semifinals in Lakeland.

It was a tough day for the University Christian girls and Impact Christian boys in the high school basketball state semifinals.

The girls high school basketball tournament is this week in Lakeland. A look at the Class 3A game between Providence and Miami Country Day.

A look at the Class 3A boys basketball state semifinals in Lakeland on Wednesday.

The girs high school basketball state tournament begins this week at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Here’s a glance at the Class 2A state semifinal.

The boys high school basketball state tournament begins this week at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Here’s a glance at the Class 2A state semifinal.

A flock of swans that grew from a gift from Queen Elizabeth II nearly 70 years ago is being rounded up in Florida to ensure they are all healthy.

Rachel Balkovec will wrap up her second season as the Single-A Tampa manager this week at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, where on April 8 of last year she debuted with a win as the first woman to manage the affiliate of a Major League Baseball team.

A mother and father in Lakeland left their 18-month-old daughter in a hot car overnight, which killed her, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Data compiled by the U.S. Census and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show Florida is home to 7 of the top 20 cities with the worst commutes.

Officials say a 13-year-old exchanged gunfire with police after a chase through a Florida neighborhood and was taken to the hospital after being shot at himself.

Providence’s first trip to Lakeland since 2017 ended with an upset loss to Windermere Prep in the Class 3A boys basketball state semifinals on Wednesday. North Florida Educational didn’t fare well in its rematch with Weston Sagemont.

Providence is back in a place that it knows well.

The Bishop Kenny girls basketball team came so close to dethroning a powerhouse.

Lakeland and the final four is the next destination for the NFEI, Ponte Vedra, Providence and Ribault boys basketball teams.

Taliah Scott had a sizzling game for St. Johns Country Day, but the Spartans couldn’t overcome the size of Faith Christian in a 77-65 loss in the Class 2A state semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.

One of MLB’s most visible rule changes for 2023 is a sizable curtailing of infield shifts.

The girls high school basketball state tournament begins Thursday in Lakeland and four local teams are headed there. A glance at the Class 2A and 3A final four games.

The state semifinals are the next stop for Bishop Kenny, Oakleaf, Providence and St. Johns Country Day.

A man suspected in a mass shooting in central Florida was fatally shot by a police officer following a long chase and a carjacking.

A man suspected in a mass shooting in central Florida was fatally shot by a police officer following a long chase and a carjacking.

Suspects are being sought after police say 11 people were shot and wounded during a drive-by shooting in a central Florida neighborhood.

Suspects are being sought after police say 11 people were shot and wounded during a drive-by shooting in a central Florida neighborhood.

Two people are in critical condition and many others were shot after a drive-by shooting in Lakeland Monday afternoon, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

Moreno delivered three carloads of diapers for foster families and children in need on Tuesday at One More Child’s campus in Lakeland, Florida.

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the players’ association will submit union authorization cards to an arbitrator on Wednesday under an agreement with Major League Baseball that will lead to collective bargaining for approximately 5,500 farmhands.

Major League Baseball is ready to voluntarily accept the formation of a minor league union, a key step that will lead to collective bargaining and possibly a strike threat at the start of next season.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is asking MLB management to voluntarily accept the union as the bargaining agent for minor leaguers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a measure that will increase sentences for trafficking fentanyl and could lead to dealers facing death sentences or life in prison if methamphetamine they distribute kills someone.

Rachel Balkovec was a winner as the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a Major League Baseball team.

Baseball’s regular season begins this week, so that means the abbreviated spring training session for teams, which started late due to the offseason lockout, is over.

Foreclosures are climbing across the nation, and the frustration for homeowners is being felt here in Florida.

Bradford won its first state championship in program history, leading wire-to-wire and routing Paxton 64-44 in the Class 1A title game at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Friday night.

The Florida Senate is on the verge of passing a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, one of the most bitterly disputed issues of the 2022 legislative session.

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.

The boys basketball state semifinals are this week in Lakeland and four teams from the area are headed down there. A glance at Jackson, which plays in the Class 4A final four on Thursday morning.

Isaac Tevarus gave it everything he had for North Florida Educational Institute basketball team.

The boys basketball state semifinals begin this week in Lakeland and four teams from the area are headed down there. A glance at North Florida Educational Institute, which plays in the Class 2A final four on Tuesday.

The boys basketball state semifinals begin this week in Lakeland and four teams from the area are headed down there. A glance at Bradford, which plays in the Class 1A final four on Tuesday.

Only four boys basketball teams remain standing.

Its the third round of the boys high school basketball state playoffs and seven area teams are in the mix for state semifinal berths.

The Bishop Kenny girls basketball team is in the state semifinals in Lakeland this week. The Crusaders face Calvary Christian on Thursday at noon. A glance at the game.

The Nease girls basketball team is in the state semifinals in Lakeland this week. The Panthers face Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday at 6 p.m. A glance at the game.

The University Christian girls basketball team is one of the final four teams left standing in the Class 2A state playoffs. The Christians face Faith Christian on Wednesday morning in Lakeland. A glance at the matchup.

Bishop Kenny, Nease and University Christian are the three girls basketball teams left standing in the state playoffs.

Officials at the Publix grocery store chain says that they will start offering paid parental leave to employees who are new parents.

If you are still shy about checking your weight on the iconic scale at Publix, you might want to step on the green machine before it vanishes.

Lakeland native Carol Jenkins Barnett, the heiress to the Public Super Markets franchise, died Tuesday at age 65.

The billionaire daughter of the Publix Super Markets founder has died after having early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Police officers in central Florida fatally shot a man who pointed a gun at them as they were investigating reports of a suspicious car parked in a construction zone along Interstate 4.

Two Florida-based grocery chains are limiting the number of items sold to customers ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday.

Authorities in Florida say a state trooper struck a motorcycle rider on I-4 sending the man onto the pavement, where a tractor-trailer ran over him.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Authorities say a Florida man is facing murder charges after a woman riding on his motorcycle died following a high-speed shootout with a rival biker gang.

Publix grocery chain is planning to hire roughly 30,000 associates across the company’s seven-state operating in the next few months.

Florida authorities say a 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his 2-year-old sister after finding a gun that had been hidden between sofa cushions by a family friend.

A controversial bill that would ban transgender females from playing on girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports teams has hit a roadblock in the Florida Senate.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Because Publix Pharmacy will not have COVID-19 vaccinations appointments during Easter weekend, it announced Tuesday that it is cancelling its Wednesday’s scheduling opportunity in Florida, according to a news release. The online reservation system will reopen Friday for appointments for the Moderna vaccine. Vaccinations are provided by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine. With the exception of this week, the online reservation system typically opens every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 a.m. for vaccine appointments at Florida Publix pharmacies. Appointments may not be available in every county during every scheduling opportunity.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes a drink of water during a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. “Just a lot different, honestly,” Boone said before Sunday’s road game against the Toronto Blue Jays. “So I can’t like lift weights like I normally do but that will be hopefully a few more weeks. AdNOTES: Boone said INF-OF Miguel Andújar (sore right hand and wrist) and C Robinson Chirinos (broken right wrist) will both see a hand specialist on Monday. Andújar first felt discomfort taking a swing in a winter league game.

Orlando Christian Prep knocked off the Lions 51-32 to win the Class 2A state championship on Saturday morning at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The loss means that the area will have to wait until 2022 to end a state title drought. AdBut Impact went the final seven and a half minutes without another point as OCP sealed its perfect season and stretched its winning streak to 47 games. But Impact wasn’t about to go quietly in the championship, its third title game appearance in four seasons for coach Benjamin Jones and the Lions. The Lions went the final three minutes of the half without a point.

A miserable second quarter ended the Tigers’ season in a 79-71 loss to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic on Wednesday in the Class 3A state semifinals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The Tigers had finished as state runner-up each of the previous two trips for coach James Collins. The Tigers (19-7) were in sync until the early minutes of the second quarter, up by eight points and settling into a rhythm. AdBy the midway point of the quarter, the Tigers were treading water and trying everything they could to hang on. Sharp had a staggering 24 of his 39 points in the second quarter alone.

The beat in Lakeland goes on for the Impact Christian boys basketball team. The Lions shook off a rough third quarter and surged back late to beat Southwest Florida Christian 69-54 in the Class 2A state semifinal at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Wednesday morning. The Lions (20-8) are now 3-0 in state final four games. Southwest Florida went ice cold against Impact’s defense, committing five turnovers and missing its first five shot attempts of the final quarter before hitting a basket. Senior Calvin Johnson was stellar in his final state semi, going 10 of 11 from the field to lead the Lions with 21 points.

Winner gets: Astronaut or Pine Crest in the state championship game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.Glance: The red-hot Warriors hadn’t been past the second round of the state playoffs before. Winner gets: Calvary Christian Academy or Miami Country Day in the state championship game on Friday at 4:30 p.m.Glance: They’re back. Should Jackson win a state championship season, it would move into first place in area history with titles. Road here: Impact d. Christ’s Church, 68-44; d. University Christian, 51-46; d. St. John Paul II, 79-57; d. Southwest Florida Christian, 69-68; d. First Baptist Academy, 56-39; d. Cambridge Christian, 63-53. The next breakthrough is a state championship, which will take a strong performance in the state semi, followed by a seismic upset in the final.

The best season in Oakleaf girls basketball history finished two wins short of a state championship. The Knights started fast but cooled off after that in a 69-52 loss to Tampa Plant in the Class 7A state semifinals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Friday afternoon. Nyla Jean led Plant with 26 points. AdOakleaf guard Taliah Scott had 26 points and Fantasia James added 15. Both of those players are sophomores and return in 2022 to try and help to Knights contend for a state championship.

Road here: Oakleaf d. Lake Mary, 66-63; d. Spruce Creek, 65-52; d. Timber Creek, 76-61; Plant, bye; d. Riverview Sarasota, 52-26; d. Oak Ridge, 63-29. Winner gets: Palm Beach Lakes or Miami High in the state championship game Saturday at 8 p.m.Glance: The Knights are in the midst of a season unlike any other. Keystone remains the only team from Clay County to play in an FHSAA state championship game. Road here: St. Augustine d. Lee, 51-17; d. Ponte Vedra, 43-35; d. Fort Walton Beach, 52-47; Palm Bay d. Lake Gibson, 65-28; d. Lake Wales, 62-22; d. Orlando Jones, 71-58. Road here: Kenny d. Raines, 60-55 (OT); d. Ribault 44-39; d. West Florida, 51-27; Lake Highland d. Anclote, 88-17; d. Eustis, 67-57; d. Crystal River, 81-20.

The move was a first step in delivering on the Republican-led Legislature’s priority of shielding health-care providers from COVID-19 lawsuits. The proposal would give health-care providers increased protections from COVID-19 lawsuits by patients and residents alleging medical malpractice or violations of rights as long-term care residents. The proposal also would provide liability protections for non-medical negligence claims against health care providers, similar to protections contained in another bill (HB 7) that limits COVID-19- related lawsuits against non-health care businesses. The Senate has introduced a bill (SB 74) to provide immunity to health care providers, but the bill is not identical to the House proposal. While some Democrats on the committee supported the House proposal, Rep. Michele Rayner D-St. Petersburg, opposed it.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The road to Lakeland begins this week for girls high school basketball teams. The addition of G Taliah Scott (22 ppg, 5.1 rpg) has allowed returnee G Kaylah Turner (15.4 ppg) and G/F Fantasia James (16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) to thrive. But Mainland, a regional finalist in 2020, is battle-tested and unbeaten in five games this season against teams from the area. The step to a third straight state championship game is going to be rugged for Kenny. … Jackson has been one of the area’s steadier teams this season, paced by G Jasmine Jackson (10.7 ppg), F/C Xaniya Jackson (9.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg) F/C Irene Kabassubabo (9.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg).

LAKELAND, Fla. – Actor Mark Wahlberg is aiding students and teachers across the nation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including those in Lakeland, Florida. KSAT reports that Wahlberg’s activewear brand Performance Inspired recently partnered with the active lifestyle brand LifeToGo to donate 1.3 million disposable face masks to teachers and students across the nation, as announced in a press release. Some areas have already received the donated 3-ply masks, including some students and teachers in San Antonio, the release said. Other places where donated masks have been received include Bentonville (AR), Boise (ID), Chicago (Ill.), Cincinnati (Ohio), Grand Rapids (MI), Minneapolis (MN), Portland (OR), Quincy (MA), Rochester (NY), Salisbury (NC), San Antonio (TX), and Woonsocket (RI). Wahlberg posted a video message on social media thanking essential workers and teachers as they combat the pandemic.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)NEW YORK Gerrit Cole could make his New York Yankees debut in a tasty opening-day treat for fans, facing Juan Soto and World Series champion Washington at Nationals Park. The Yankees and Nationals are set meet when the virus-delayed season begins next month, a person familiar with the game told The Associated Press on Saturday. He pitched the Houston Astros past the Nationals 7-1 last October for a 3-2 edge in the World Series. The Yankees and Nationals met twice this year, including New Yorks 6-3 win on March 12 on the final day before MLB stopped spring training because of the virus outbreak. The Yankees are hopeful that slugger Aaron Judge has fully recovered from a rib injury that bothered him during spring training in Florida.

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida motorcycle officer was killed in a crash while driving his police-issued Harley-Davidson to work Thursday morning, authorities said. Officer Paul Dunn, 50, died shortly before 6 a.m., according to a post on the with the Lakeland Police Department’s Facebook page. Passing motorists saw the motorcycle and stopped to help Dunn, Judd said. “We have suffered a tragic loss out here this morning,” Garcia said during the news conference. “It’s a tragic loss for the agency and the community as well.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Tornados spawned by Nestor damaged dozens of homes in southwest Florida Saturday, according to police agencies. The Cape Coral Police Department said in a statement that about dozen homes were damaged Saturday morning by a possible tornado, some severely. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a tornado damaged about a dozen homes and a school near Lakeland but no serious injuries were reported. However, the storm spared an area of the Florida Panhandle devastated one year ago by Hurricane Michael. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.