Florida
Visitors hit the Florida State Fair despite cold temperatures on opening night
TAMPA, Fla. – Opening night at the Florida State Fair brought high-flying rides, fried food and hundreds of families to Tampa on Thursday night.
What we know:
Organizers expect more than 400,000 people to visit the fairgrounds, as the annual event runs through Feb. 16.
This year’s theme, “America’s Sunniest Celebration,” honors the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.
One familiar face is Gage Sears, a fourth-generation vendor at the Florida State Fair. He described all the sweet treats he sells in his booth.
Florida State Fair debuts new foods for 2026
“Funnel cakes, Oreos, slushies, lemonade, anything sweet,” Sears said.
He says rides and food go hand in hand, especially on opening night.
“Rides are a big thing, but everyone gets hungry when you’re enjoying the thrill of everything,” Sears said. “They’re coming out and eating good food, fair food.”
What they’re saying:
Crystal Gunn attended opening night with her twin daughters, Brianna and Tianna, to celebrate their 15th birthday.
She says it’s become a family tradition.
“We do this every year,” Gunn said. “We come to the fair every year on its first day.”
Opening night came with temperatures dropping and gusty winds.
Nevertheless, Gunn and hundreds of other visitors chose to brave the cold.
“I’m a true Floridian, so this is cold for us,” she said. “I’m not used to this kind of cold, but we’ll get through it.”
New Attractions:
Among the new attractions this year is the world’s largest portable observation wheel.
The Ferris wheel stands at 230 feet tall and features 45 gondolas, each themed after a U.S. president.
Hope Thaler says the fair’s wide variety of attractions offers something for everyone.
READ: Florida’s new ‘America 250’ license plate design catching drivers’ attention
“I’ve been coming to the state fair since I was a kid,” she said. “So it’s very well-rounded.”
From rides, games, animals and live music, Joshua Lewis says the fair is all about making memories.
“Riding the rides was fun,” Lewis said. “From the animals to everything, it’s a great atmosphere.”
By the numbers:
Security remains a major focus throughout the fairgrounds.
More than 1,000 Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies will work the fair over the next 11 days on foot, bike and horseback.
Organizers are also reminded families that kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult after 5 p.m. each night.
If you are interested in attending the fair and want to map out your visit, just click here.
The Source: Information for this story came from statements from the Florida State Fair, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and interviews with people at the fairgrounds and reporting from previous coverage on FOX 13 News.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Trump threatens tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba
Trump warned Cuba to reach an agreement with the U.S. after signing an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that supply the island with oil.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Four people were killed and seven others were wounded on Feb. 25 after a speedboat from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban forces, who returned fire, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said.
All four dead were aboard the Florida-based speedboat, and another six were injured, Cuba said. In addition, the Cuban commander of border patrol boat was wounded, Cuba said.
The wounded foreign attackers were evacuated and received medical attention, Cuba said.
The incident took place amid heightened tension between Cuba and the United States, which has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power.
“Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” the Cuban statement said.
Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana.
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