Florida
Alligator Caught on Camera Making ‘Himself at Home’ at Florida Residence: See the Video
A home in Florida got a visit from an unexpected guest — a large alligator.
Fla. resident Stacy Thrasher captured a video of the large reptile walking along a pathway toward a home in Ave Maria — located about 35 miles away from Naples — while walking her dog in the neighborhood.
“I heard a big, swishing noise, and so I looked to my left to see what it was, and sure enough, there was an alligator sitting right there,” Thrasher recalled to WINK-TV.
In the short clip, the 6-foot, 400-lb. alligator appeared to slowly approach a dog statue in the home’s yard before making its way up the porch to the doorway.
Stacey Thrasher vis Storyful
Thrasher noted that she and her small dog had been a safe distance away from the alligator when she captured the video, and no one was harmed. She said after checking out the porch of the home, the alligator eventually walked back to a nearby pond.
Another homeowner in the area, John, told the outlet that the home where the alligator was spotted is known for attracting the attention of the creatures and that it wasn’t the first time a gator was seen in the area.
“How can you come back twice? You know? Because this happened, I don’t know… eight, nine months ago, [or] something like that,” he told the outlet. “And that time, he climbed up in the chairs, kind of made himself at home.”
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Stacey Thrasher vis Storyful
He noted that the residents of the neighborhood are no strangers to the reptiles and have written off spotting the creatures on their streets as a part of “Florida living,” per WINK-TV.
“They leave you alone if you leave them alone. They don’t bother you,” he explained. “You can just walk around. You see them, you just saw the one in the back right now. They’re just out. This is their home.”
Neighbors in the area told the outlet that the home featured in the video is up for sale. One neighbor, Gary Rzewnic, joked that the alligator seen on the video could “be a buyer” since he loved the house so much, while John teased that the previous owner might not take “alligator dollars.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) noted on its website that residents who have “waterfront homes” or “participate in water-related activities” may find themselves in “frequent alligator-human interactions.”
However, it warned that residents should “never feed an alligator” and keep their “distance” if they see one. They also noted that people “should keep pets on a leash and away from the water.” If a conflict arises, people are encouraged to call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
Florida
Florida investigating AI role in mass shooting at university
Florida on Tuesday announced a criminal probe into whether artificial intelligence played a role in a deadly mass shooting at a university in the US state.
“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” Uthmeier said.
Florida law allows anyone who assists or counsels someone in the commission of a crime to be treated as an “aider and abettor” bearing the same responsibility as the perpetrator, according to Uthmeier.
In exchanges with ChatGPT, the accused shooter sought advice on what type of gun and ammunition to use, as well as where and when on campus a lot of people would likely be found, the state attorney general said during a press briefing.
“Last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” an OpenAI spokesperson said.
Florida
Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours
A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.
One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.
He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.
“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.
Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.
“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”
Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.
“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.
Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned.
“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.
The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.
Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.
Florida
Florida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 06-09-19-34-35
Evening: 08-09-12-25-31
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Morning: 03
Matinee: 08
Afternoon: 04
Evening: 01
Late Night: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 4-0, FB: 3
Evening: 0-6, FB: 6
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 2-9-1, FB: 3
Evening: 3-7-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 9-7-8-0, FB: 3
Evening: 3-6-7-8, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 3-9-3-5-1, FB: 3
Evening: 1-3-1-8-7, FB: 6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
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