Law enforcement agencies across the Southeast kicked off Operation Southern Slow Down Monday at Daytona International Speedway, launching a weeklong campaign aimed at reducing speed-related crashes and fatalities on Florida’s roads.

A strong storm hit Ocala Saturday evening, knocking out power to thousands and damaging homes with downed trees. Crews are working to restore service.

Heat Advisories unlikely Sunday afternoon.

Downed trees and power lines — that’s what Ocala fire officials say was left behind after storms swept through the area Saturday. Photos show trees on some homes and sprawled across roads.

Florida wildlife officials are investigating a viral TikTok video that appears to show a woman petting an alligator from a kayak at Silver Springs after receiving multiple complaints from the public.

A 64-year-old Ocala boxing coach is behind bars after detectives say he sexually abused a juvenile student for months at multiple locations across Marion County, including two local boxing gyms, a hotel, his home, and inside his vehicle.

An 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy lost his hand in an alligator attack while fishing with his family at Nelson Fish Camp in Florida. The boy's father attempted to save him, but the alligator severed his hand, which could not be reattached despite multiple surgeries. The community has rallied around the family, raising funds for medical expenses and future prosthetic costs. Authorities remind the public to stay alert and cautious around alligators, especially during warmer months.

According to Ocala Fire Rescue, crews arrived on scene and found a one-story home with flames burning through the roof.

A man was airlifted to a burn center Thursday after an explosion sparked a major garage fire at a home in Silver Springs, according to Marion County Fire Rescue. Investigators say the cause remains under investigation.

Seven Central Florida school districts garnered “A” grades in the latest report card released this week. Individual school grades were also released. We've listed all of the school grades.

The skies over Central Florida will light up this Fourth of July, with fireworks, festivals and celebrations stretching across the region all weekend long.

After months of work, company officials revealed that eight supermarkets have now been converted into Winn-Dixie stores.

Take a clear kayak tour at Silver Springs State Park with Kayaking Florida and spot manatees, gators, otters, birds and even the park’s famous monkeys.

Around 11:30 p.m. Monday, units responded to the 1500 block of NE 162nd Street after reports of a house fire. When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames, the sheriff’s office said.

A 31-year-old woman died after being bitten by an alligator while swimming with friends Saturday afternoon near Geneva, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials shared news Sunday of a second alligator bite in Marion County in the past week.

On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another batch of 15 bills, though he also opted to veto three bills.

A Marion County family is reuniting with their 13-year-old dog, Apollo, who was found in New York nearly two months after disappearing. Surveillance footage showed a woman taking Apollo, and he was later discovered in Hempstead with a tag bearing a different name. The family is incurring significant expenses to bring him home and is seeking answers about his journey, while expressing relief and excitement at his return. Authorities have not yet updated their previous determination that no crime occurred.

An Indiana man has been charged on accusations he stalked WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and sent her threatening and explicit messages on social media.

A new report has emerged revealing which cities spent the most on OnlyFans last year — and one Florida metro came in at No. 2.

The Rainbow River has reopened after deputies and FWC located and removed an alligator involved in a snorkeler bite, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.

The cult-favorite convenience chain Buc-ee’s is set to open several new locations in the Sunshine State — but one location in particular may be a good fit for the company, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Despite its Texan upbringing, Buc-ee’s has been a smash hit for many Florida residents since its debut in St. Augustine years ago.

Marion County and state officials on Thursday announced the arrest of more than 50 people in what is being called the largest child predator sting in the county’s history. Sheriff Billy Woods said the suspects included fathers, teachers, coaches and even a high school student.

In Orange County, authorities say Bryan Watts, a convicted felon, shot and killed his two young daughters, Tiana and Jaliyajh, before killing himself at their apartment last week. The killings happened one day after Watts was in court on charges accusing him of beating his girlfriend.

State officials have revealed the latest data showing which parts of Florida were most affected by fatal car crashes in 2025.

A father and son were taken into custody this week after investigators said they uncovered a local RV scam, according to the Ocala Police Department.

Deputies said she and the children may be in Texas, where the individual with whom she allegedly had an affair lives.

A 2-year-old boy died after he fell into a pool in Marion County over the weekend, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to organizers, the event will have a heavy focus on Florida's legendary "Skunk Ape."

A lightning strike over the holiday weekend severely damaged Larry Mull's Ocala property, destroying his shed and the well pump and filtration system that supplied his home with water. Mull and his family were left without running water for days and had to rely on a neighbor's supply while facing costly repairs. The incident occurred at a challenging time, delaying insurance and repair responses. Despite the destruction, Mull expressed relief that no one was hurt and that two full propane tanks in the shed were unharmed.

A 68-year-old Ocala man died after his motorcycle overturned on Maricamp Road near Locust Place on Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An Ocala church already recovering from a major electrical fire is now dealing with what church leaders describe as a hateful act of vandalism involving racial slurs and threatening messages. Leaders at St. Paul A.M.E. Church said someone broke into the church overnight and vandalized the property with racist language and symbols just days after a fire forced the church to close temporarily.

The latest study reveals the top-ranked places to live across the U.S. — including right here in the Sunshine State.

A crash along Interstate 75 left an ambulance overturned on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Ocala Fire Rescue.

Andres Bahamon, who was identified as a person of interest in his father’s disappearance, was arrested on Monday and charged with felony evidence tampering.

Now that it’s May, school districts across Central Florida are gearing up to release their students for the summer.

The project — later dubbed "Florida's Folly" — nearly caused the Sunshine State to be split in half.

The man accused of ambushing a Marion County deputy and then stabbing him multiple times is being held without bond, and now News 6 is learning this isn’t the first time he’s been violent with a member of law enforcement.

Central Florida’s drought is deepening, and the St. Johns River Water Management District says its work is being stretched across all of its main responsibilities.

The moment the deputy stepped out of his vehicle, Heriberto Medina Marquez, 38, lunged at him with a knife, knocked him to the ground, and stabbed him multiple times in the chest, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Rodney Davis, the Marion County man who accused Orlando police of brutality after an incident during Florida Classic Weekend, is no longer facing street racing charges. Davis and his attorney, Rajan Joshi, told News 6 on Wednesday that a charge of operating a vehicle during a street takeover was dropped.

An Ocala man has been jailed after he reportedly blew fentanyl into a deputy’s face outside Publix late last month, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

A pregnant woman, a man and three dogs were rescued from the Ocala National Forest last week, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Ocala police released images of three persons of interest after someone waved a gun during a heated argument.

A shooting broke out at a home in Reddick over the weekend, though investigators are being left with little to work with, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said someone waved a gun during a heated argument inside the mall. The incident prompted the mall to close temporarily.

Central Florida faces a risk for isolated severe storms, with damaging winds and hail possible. Highs in the lower 90s continue, with even hotter conditions expected for the weekend, according to News 6 meteorologist Michelle Morgan.

A crash involving a Marion County school bus left a driver dead on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Marion County deputies have reported a “suspicious death” in the Dunnellon area on Tuesday evening.

Despite initial belief that no crime occurred, the family is urging investigators to revisit the case as weeks have passed without information.

Central Florida is known for horsepower. And no, we’re not talking about the Daytona 500.

An Ocala high school was forced to lock down on Friday afternoon after a bomb threat was reported, according to the police department.

This month, Walmart announced plans to remodel nearly 60 stores across the Sunshine State as part of an ongoing modernization initiative, according to the company.

One of the child patients was rushed to the hospital as a trauma alert due to the "mechanism of injury," according to fire officials.

A change of plea hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., where prosecutors are expected to reveal details of a plea agreement.

The Florida House and Senate passed a bill to redraw congressional district lines on Wednesday, with potentially big implications for the November election.

Nearly three months after a fire burned a large number of creosote-soaked railroad ties from a property near Dunnellon, CSX has removed the rest of the railroad ties.

Senior citizen stronghold The Villages will get a visit from the president on Friday. According to the Republican Party of Florida, Trump’s visit will center on promoting policies like “no tax on tips” and “no tax on social security.”

Phillip Duncan previously worked as a paraprofessional at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala.

According to the district, the principal was transported to the hospital following the incident and is expected to make a full recovery and sustained only minor injuries.

How would you feel if a person wearing a face mask got up close to you and started filming you without your permission?

Jeroen Coombs is now charged with sexual battery on a child under the age of 12, on top of existing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. It is unclear whether the new sexual battery charge involves the toddler or another child.

Concerned family members said they hadn't heard from her since last week, and deputies reported her supplies were left about 1 mile from her campsite.

According to Leesburg police, the woman was crossing U.S. 27 when she was hit by a gray Hyundai sedan that was traveling northbound on the highway.

An Ocala man has now been convicted after he raped a child last year, according to the State Attorney’s Office on Monday.

News 6 has obtained new footage of a brutal wreck involving a golf cart in The Villages late last month.

A pickup truck hit a Marion County school bus and took off, the Florida Highway Patrol says, sending nine Marion County students to an area hospital. FHP is looking for the truck.

According to FHP, a pickup truck was backing out of the driveway when it struck the child, who was standing behind the vehicle.

Two people have now been arrested months after nearly 70 horses were seized from a Central Florida rescue, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

It turns out that one Central Florida city is the second-most popular place for movers, according to this year's ranking.

Last week, over a dozen more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

After their full-time 9-to-5 jobs, a group of women in Ocala head to a different kind of workplace —one defined by strength, speed, and sisterhood, otherwise known as the Ocala Women’s Roller Derby League, Brick City Rollers.

On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report showing where people are moving — and one Central Florida city had the biggest boom nationwide.

In a release, the company announced that the first customers in line will receive a Winn-Dixie "mystery gift card" of up to $100.

A 22-year-old Deer Island man died after his motorcycle was rear-ended on I-75 near mile marker 349 Saturday night, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.

A scheduled draw-down at the Rodman Reservoir, northwest of the Ocala National Forest and bordering Marion and Putnam Counties, revealed a secret landscape along the Ocklawaha River: hidden spring boils, drowned forests and remnants of a decades-old plan to cut across Florida.

An Ocala man was arrested after he was caught sexually propositioning a young boy in a gas station bathroom, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Environmentalists want to permanently open a dam built for a canal that was supposed to cut through the middle of Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf.

It won’t be as windy, but the temperatures will drop a couple of extra degrees by the time you wake up Wednesday.

Ocala Police have closed SW 3rd Street from S Pine Ave. to SW 7th Ave for a death investigation.

Marion County deputies found an unidentified woman dead on Silver Road after a possible overdose Friday evening, and Major Crimes detectives are investigating the case as a suspicious death.

After his first attempt failed, deputies said Alfio Nocifora returned with a rented U-Haul truck and successfully loaded the septic tank and about $2,500 worth of electrical pipe.

Every day, Wild heads to Silver Springs State Park to find its infamous monkeys. After a long, mosquito-heavy search, the park’s rhesus macaques finally make an unforgettable entrance.

A couple says they lost nearly $30,000 after buying a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado on Facebook Marketplace that turned out to be stolen and had a fake title and vehicle identification number.

More than a month later, the city of Dunnellon is still dealing with the fallout from a massive fire fueled by thousands of railroad ties.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Viviana Harumi Ortiz-Lopez, 30, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, on a charge of felony child abuse after a baby left in her care returned home with significant bruising to the face.

Last week, seven more restaurants across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

An Ocala man armed with an axe was arrested after a “car wash conflict” over the weekend, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

This large, two-story home was built around 100 years ago. No one lives there anymore — but that wasn’t always the case.

Central Florida is heading into a warm and mostly dry weekend, but if you’re headed to the beach, be careful. A high risk of rip currents will continue this weekend as steady onshore winds keep surf conditions rough at times.

After hours of discussion and emotional testimony, community members voiced strong concerns to the Marion County School Board over a proposal that could have possibly lead to the closure of Sparr Elementary School next year.

A Marion County mother was put behind bars this week after her 3-year-old daughter was beaten to death last month, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Dunnellon City Council voted Monday night not to join Marion County in seeking a court injunction against CSX following last month’s rail tie fire.

A class action lawsuit was filed against CSX Transportation, seeking $50,000 after a massive tie fire in Dunnellon prompted a toxic smoke warning and a state of emergency.

A 40-year-old woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Marion County on Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Police are investigating after a man and woman were found dead in the backyard of a Belleview home on Friday, according to the department.

Officials say new surveillance videos released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office show instances of abuse by a 31-year-old daycare.

Police say a bicyclist was struck and killed late in Ocala.

Firefighters say two people were injured and a family dog died in a burning home in Ocala.