Hurricane Ian, Tom Brady, Bob Saget Death: Top FL News Stories 2022

FLORIDA — News stories that had Floridians talking in 2022 involved the fierce campaign for governor, the toll in lives lost and property damaged by Hurricane Ian, and the retirement and subsequent return of quarterback Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Celebrity news that had Florida ties included TV star Bob Saget's death in Orlando, and the saga surrounding the death of Gabby Petito at the hands of her fiance, Brian Laundrie.

Here are some of 2022's top news stories:

Death Toll Revised, Hurricane Ian Work Done In Record Time: DeSantis

The restoration of power, water and other vital services that would normally take weeks in a hurricane-devastated region has been accomplished in a week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said. In all, state officials attributed 144 deaths to the storm.

• 'Lost In The Storm': Pets Missing, Reunited After Hurricane Ian
• Grateful To Be Alive, Hurricane Ian Victims Thankful For Kindness
• Hurricane Ian Rescues: Floridians Brave Storm To Help Neighbors
• Hurricane Ian: Scenes From St. Petersburg After The Storm
• Hurricane Nicole Could Have Devastating Impact On Florida's Coast: NHC

DeSantis Hails 'Win For The Ages' Over Charlie Crist For FL Governor

In a contentious gubernatorial race between current Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Democratic Gov. Charlie Crist, DeSantis defeated Crist with 58 percent of the vote, declaring that "the people have delivered their verdict," voting for "freedom."

• Marco Rubio Defeats Val Demings In Florida's U.S. Senate Race
• Historically Democratic Hillsborough County Sees Republican Takeover
• FL Governor's New Election Police Arrest 20 For Illegally Voting

Tom Brady To Return To Buccaneers For 2022 NFL Season

Tom Brady's retirement didn't last long. The future Hall of Fame quarterback announced on Twitter he is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022 season, walking back his decision to retire just over a month ago. It is Brady's 23rd NFL season.

• Bucs QB Tom Brady, Wife Gisele Bündchen Finalize Divorce

'Don't Say Gay' Bill Signed Into Law In Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education bill int0 law in March. The law, facetiously nicknamed the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents, prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and allows parents to opt their child out of sex education and sexually transmitted disease lessons.

• New FL Law Will Result In Book Banning, Say Free Speech Advocates
• FL 15-Week Abortion Ban Signed Into Law By Gov. DeSantis
• Retaliation Against Disney For Opposing Bill May Cost FL $2 Billion

New Details On Bob Saget's Final Hours Detailed In Report

"Full House" TV star, actor Bob Saget, 65, died from an accidental blow to the head, his family said. An autopsy concluded the actor likely fell backward, struck his head, and died Jan. 9 in his hotel room at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando.

Activist Asks To Lead Satanic Prayer At FL High School Football Game

After the U.S. Supreme Court backed a high school football coach’s right to pray at the 50-yard line, a South Florida artist and political activist has reached out to a Broward County high school asking to lead a Satanic invocation at one of its football games.

Brian Laundrie's Autopsy Released By Medical Examiner's Office

Full autopsy and forensic reports for Brian Laundrie of North Port, the only person of interest in the death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, revealed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A European American Armory Windicator snub-nose revolver was found at the scene.

Pug Thrown Off 7-Story Balcony To His Death in Clearwater

Readers were horrified after the Clearwater police reported that the girlfriend of a Clearwater man threw his 3-year-old pug, Bucky, off his seventh-floor condominium balcony. The little dog died after striking the pavement.

Watch: Gator Carries Large Fish Across Bradenton Golf Course

Reinforcing readers' captivation with stories about gators, one of 2022's top stories featured a video of something the reptiles do naturally — emerging from a pond with a fish at a Bradenton golf club.

Human Trafficking Arrests On Rise Along Florida's I-75 Corridor

Not to be confused with Alligator Alley in the Everglades, Interstate 75 running north and south along the Florida peninsula has been nicknamed Human Trafficking Alley due to the unusually large number of traffickers caught along the highway transporting humans for labor and sex.