An operation in Osceola County to catch sex offenders and predators who hadn’t registered with the state led to 126 arrests, the sheriff’s office said Monday.

Kangaroos, monkeys, giant lizards, snakes and a 2,000-pound white rhinoceros are among more than 140 animals that escaped from captivity in Florida since 2022, state wildlife records obtained by News 6 reveal.

Upon arrival, deputies located a 2-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. Emergency personnel provided lifesaving measures before the child was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Marie Carenan and Ronald Pack, a husband and wife accused of operating nine unlicensed assisted living facilities in Polk and Osceola counties under inhumane conditions, were denied bond by a judge after the state argued they posed a danger to the community.

Eddy Noelsaint, 54, was found guilty this week of four counts of sexual battery against a member of his church.

Rep. Paula Stark’s move to be placed on the ballot to retain her District 47 seat was rejected by a Leon County court Wednesday. The St. Cloud Republican’s application to qualify for the ballot was rejected for the lack of a financial disclosure form, which her campaign treasurer, Joel Davis, says was submitted to Division of Election officials before the noon June 12 deadline.

Five state election workers contradicted the testimony of Rep. Paula Stark’s treasurer in court Wednesday as she sought to win a spot on the 2026 ballot, stating she clearly failed to meet the requirements to qualify.

The pasture mealybug has now been detected in 15 Florida counties — including two Central Florida counties — and scientists at the University of Florida are racing to find solutions.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says a man was hospitalized after a deputy-involved shooting early Wednesday morning.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office needs help to find three people accused of stealing electronics from a school and vandalizing one of the conference rooms. The incident happened on June 26 at 1:46 a.m. at Cross Prairie K-8 School on Rankin Street in Kissimmee.

A promised crackdown on illegal house parties over the July 4 weekend led to six people being arrested and two parties being shut down.

Osceola County is moving toward adopting a new ordinance designed to establish uniform, countywide water conservation principles.

Osceola County deputies are investigating a shooting they say happened just before 1:15 p.m. Saturday on Marta Circle in Kissimmee.

Two people are dead after fatal Osceola County crashes just hours apart overnight Friday into Saturday, according to State Troopers

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.

Authorities in Osceola County say they are increasing patrols and monitoring social media promotions for illegal house parties at short-term rentals ahead of the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued another scathing letter to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, this time accusing her office of “leniency toward murderers and pedophiles.” Worrell accused Uthmeier of being 'more interested in scoring political points' in a response to News 6.

Starting Wednesday, toll rates operated by the Central Florida Expressway Authority increased, adding to financial pressures many drivers say they are already feeling from higher everyday expenses, including gas prices. The rate changes affect major expressways, including State Road 408, State Road 417, State Road 528, and State Road 429.

Police in Kissimmee now say the body that was discovered in a neighborhood on Thursday morning is part of a homicide case. The victim has now been identified as Charles Harper, 71. Police are looking for help finding whoever took Harper's truck, which was recovered later in Altamonte Springs.

Orlando Health is moving forward with plans to convert the former Tupperware World Headquarters in Kissimmee into a full-service hospital, bringing new life to a campus that sits vacant following the iconic brand's 2024 bankruptcy.

Central Florida's theme parks and attractions — including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Legoland and more — are celebrating America's 250th birthday on July 4 with fireworks, special events, character experiences, and ticket deals.

An Osceola County deputy was arrested Thursday morning, accused of domestic violence. Deputies say the victim reported Elias Ramirez III, 34, from an Orange County RaceTrac after they said Ramirez began shoving and kicking her.

Kissimmee police are now investigating a “suspicious death” after a body was discovered in a local neighborhood, according to the department.

John Young Parkway in Osceola County was shut down in both directions because of a suspicious device. The road is now back open.

Kissimmee Commissioner Janette Martinez announced she will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon after the release of the Special Prosecutor’s Investigative Findings tied to an ethics complaint filed against her.

The arrests stem from a yearlong investigation by an Osceola County Sheriff’s Office detective who was first alerted to potential problems after responding to a 911 call for service, the sheriff’s office said.

A Kissimmee man was caught earlier this month after he fled from law enforcement in an RV, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

A St. Cloud foster parent accused of multiple child sex abuse felonies was reportedly caring for six foster children at the time of his arrest, raising questions about oversight within Florida’s foster care system.

A former Florida Highway Patrol captain has pleaded “not guilty” in a major off-duty pay scheme, according to court records obtained by News 6.

Drivers along ChampionsGate Boulevard are facing detours this week as work is happening on an I-4 improvement project.

Central Florida is in for another hot summer day, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and heat index values topping out between 103 and 107 degrees.

A 66-year-old St. Cloud man is facing multiple felony child sexual abuse charges after investigators say several children living in his home reported years of abuse. Police say the investigation began after one victim disclosed the allegations to another adult, and detectives now believe there could be more victims.

The widow of a man killed while staying at a short-term vacation home in Kissimmee is now suing the homeowner’s association that oversees the neighborhood, accusing the group of negligence that led to her husband's death.

After a foggy start across some areas in Central Florida, temperatures are expected to quickly climb with a few spotty sea breeze showers through the afternoon.

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

St. Cloud police are asking for the public’s help identifying the person seen in a video damaging a roadside memorial near Key Foods.

After an Osceola drowning tragedy, Central Florida nonprofit works to make swim lessons accessible for families.

Two Florida Highway Patrol officers are out of a job and facing criminal charges after investigators say they billed a private resort community for days they never showed up to work. News 6 took a closer look at how FHP handles off-duty pay.

Events are set up across Central Florida this weekend in honor of Juneteenth. The federal holiday marks the day that Union soldiers on June 19, 1865, told enslaved Black people in Texas that they were free, thus marking the end of slavery in the United States.

Newly uncovered documents show former FHP Captain Sterling King was convicted of official misconduct after investigators said he used his position to help dismiss a speeding ticket following an inappropriate interaction during a 2004 traffic stop.

Two Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested this week billed a Central Florida community for off-duty security work they never actually performed, according to newly obtained arrest affidavits.

A competency hearing for the man accused of killing three tourists outside a Kissimmee Airbnb was delayed Thursday. Ahmad Bojeh, 29, faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 17 shooting deaths of three visitors from Ohio who were staying at an Airbnb near his home.

Two Central Florida troopers have been taken into custody as part of an overtime fraud investigation, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

A 21-year-old St. Cloud man identified by New York police in a viral video showing fans celebrating on top of a taxi cab after a New York Knicks playoff victory is speaking publicly for the first time after turning himself in.

Paula Stark, the two-term Central Florida state representative, is planning to sue the Florida Department of State after the department declared she did not properly qualify for the November midterms ballot. Our News Collaborative of Central Florida partner, Osceola News-Gazette, explains what happens if she does not succeed.

Ten years after the Pulse nightclub shooting, Osceola County is preparing to build its own tribute to the 49 victims, giving families and survivors a place to heal closer to home.

One person was hospitalized after being shot near an apartment complex in Kissimmee on Tuesday night, according to the police department.

A search kicked off in an Osceola County neighborhood after a little girl went missing last month, according to the sheriff’s office.

A triple shooting broke out on Monday evening, leaving one person dead, according to Osceola Fire and Rescue.

St. Cloud is holding a workshop to discuss “Property Tax Reform Impacts and City Fees" as a proposed amendment on tax reform heads to the November ballot. The workshop is at 2:30 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall today.

A man is facing multiple charges after a low-speed chase with deputies late Friday night.

Two 5-year-old girls were pronounced dead on Friday after being found unresponsive in a pool at a Kissimmee vacation home.

Next summer, Phase 1 of the “Connect Kissimmee” complete streets improvement project is set to begin, bringing a redesigned streetscape to downtown that's meant to improve connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit. It also means cutting speed limits and reducing traffic lanes in the downtown area.

St. Cloud is weighing whether to extend its smoking ban to the lakefront and broaden how the city defines “smoking” to include e-cigarettes and tobacco substitutes.

Crashes can cause delays, but some investigations involve far more than clearing debris and reopening lanes. Cpl. Redditt, with the St. Cloud Police Department, explains why fatal crash investigations can take hours to complete.

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

Footage from the scene shows the car was severely damaged and came to rest in the front yard of a nearby home, with vehicle parts scattered across the street.

A “suspicious device” was found in a chicken restaurant on Monday, causing traffic to shut down nearby, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

After a recent ‘teen takeover’ turned violent Florida, the state's attorney general is speaking out.

The alert covers a specific zone bounded by Fortune Road to the north, Neptune Road to the south, La Terraza Lane to the east, and Heritage Key to the west.

A 16-year-old and her daughter were reported missing by the teen’s mother on Wednesday, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Eight Central Florida nonprofits will get a rolling advertisement on a Lynx bus for free over the next year.

A crash involving several vehicles, including a dump truck, has shut down the northbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County.

St. Cloud leaders have defended a $60 million mixed-use development planned for downtown after criticism on social media about how the city is growing too much.

A Kissimmee man was taken into custody last week after he was accused of exposing himself to a 9-year-old girl at a local Ross Dress for Less store, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

A former campus monitor at Liberty High School now faces a charge of attempted sexual battery on a minor after Osceola County deputies said he was caught engaging in "inappropriate conversations" with a student.

Orange County has reported its first two measles cases this year. One patient was between 0-4 years old, and the other between 25-29 years old. Florida has the fourth-highest number of measles cases in the U.S.

A Confederate monument in St. Cloud’s Veterans Park was defaced, sparking conversation in the community about history, respect and how Americans reckon with a complicated past.

If you’re looking for ways to kick off the weekend in Central Florida, there’s no shortage of exciting events happening across Orlando and beyond.

A long-awaited project aims to improve safety and traffic flow along one of Osceola County’s most congested corridors, but years of delays have come with a steep price.

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

The Kissimmee City Commission voted to pause its ethics complaint process while drafting a new ordinance, delaying new complaints against the mayor and a commissioner as existing investigations continue.

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

Wild hogs have been spotted tearing up grass and frightening residents in an Osceola County neighborhood.

A staff member received a written reprimand after Hitler image shown during morning announcements at Osceola High School.

Law enforcement and a local roller rink are taking action ahead of a planned “teen takeover” in Kissimmee that began circulating on social media.

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

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier spoke out on Tuesday over a year after a murder convict was sentenced to just four years in prison.

Every single day, the Salvation Army is helping families find food, shelter, support, and stability during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Around 5 a.m., deputies responded to the Extended Stay Suites on Irlo Bronson Highway in response to a reported shooting.

Osceola County is taking aim at invasive aquatic plants in Lake Tohopekaliga, deploying specialized equipment to clear vegetation.

Three supervisors of elections gathered last week for a public panel where they talked through those issues, describing a web of security partnerships, training protocols and contingency planning that reflects the expanding security demands of their jobs as they prepare for the 2026 primaries and midterm elections. Our News Collaborative of Central Florida partners, Vox Populi, filed this report.

With a 40% increase in emergency requests, the Salvation Army is calling on the community to help raise $1,000,000.

After recent mail theft arrests, News 6 requested data from the federal government to see where the most mail thefts were reported in Central Florida ZIP Codes.

Last month, local elections officials were sounding the alarm that new congressional maps would cost counties money and staff time. Those concerns are now coming true. On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial new congressional map into law that gives Republicans an advantage in nearly all the state’s seats.

Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said the problem has reached epidemic levels on the county’s west side, where promoters are using short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo to host large, unauthorized gatherings.

Habitat for Humanity is increasing fundraising efforts as residential construction costs have increased.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola is launching an initiative that engages religious organizations to help address Central Florida's housing crisis.

Kissimmee police are investigating a death after officers responded to a 911 call about a single gunshot Tuesday night.

A Central Florida man was captured out of state this week in a massive child porn case, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Osceola County school officials are considering changes to the district’s Code of Student Conduct that would restrict the use of artificial intelligence and personal wireless devices during the school day.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is handing out free gun locks less than a month after a toddler shot himself with an unsecured weapon.

Last week, 12 more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

Festivals, sports, shopping, and high-energy entertainment all in one weekend. Here are six things you can do in Central Florida in the next couple of days.

County leaders are working to get ahead of a looming traffic crisis on one of its most congested corridors.

The driver, 33-year-old Tatiana Marie Luna-Mahmood of Orange Park, was found to be showing signs of impairment, including slurred speech, swaying, and the odor of alcohol, troopers said.

A Kissimmee man died Saturday afternoon after losing control of an all-terrain electric scooter Florida Highway Patrol said.

The governor is expected to speak at 10 a.m. at Tohopekaliga High School and will be joined by Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas.

A nurse at a Kissimmee hospital was arrested after being accused of battering a patient last month, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.