Lakeland, FL|News|
16 Books Face Removal From Schools, Group Considers Them Pornographic
County Citizens Defending Freedom contends 16 books on topics from 9/11 to LGBTQ+ themes may contain content harmful material for students.

I love Tampa Bay, especially St. Petersburg. I'm a Rays' fan, and it's hard for me not to yell and scream from the press box when covering a game while other reporters are composed. I've worked in TV, radio and print journalism for 16 years, and I have a Master of Arts in digital journalism and design from the University of South Florida. I'm a professor at USF St. Pete campus. Furthermore, I also served in the United States Coast Guard.
County Citizens Defending Freedom contends 16 books on topics from 9/11 to LGBTQ+ themes may contain content harmful material for students.

A Brandon man is accused of driving on a suspended license and hitting the woman with a truck.
Authorities have begun investigating a crash involving a pedestrian Wednesday night that occurred on Fifth Avenue South.
Fifteen Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews worked with assistance from the sheriff's office to control a tree farm fire.
A man awoke a woman staying in a Davenport vacation home by shining a flashlight in her face after he broke in. Cops want to identify him.
Two men were injured by gunshot wounds during an argument early Wednesday morning at 34th Street North bar in St. Petersburg.
Restaurants participating in Westfield Brandon Mall's "Dining For A Cause" include The Cheesecake Factory, Chick-fil-A, Red Robin and more.
Sun 'N Fun Aerospace Expo has 2 air shows — featuring four flights by the Thunderbirds — and more than 500 aircraft exhibitors.
Residents in a Lake Wales neighborhood accused a man of pointing a rifle at them Tuesday morning before he grabbed a knife.
Six schools in Polk County are trying the growing-globally video gaming option of playing sports, known as eSports.
A variety of poetry readings, workshops and open mics are scheduled during April, the 26th Annual National Poetry Month in St. Petersburg.
Auburndale drivers will have detours near County Road 559A as crews set up road closures for drainage work.
Detectives with Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office discovered truckers were being sold stolen fuel at half the price by six suspects.
St. Petersburg police investigated a murder-suicide Monday morning after a boy's mother couldn't get a response from the child or his dad.
Oil prices fell after President Biden said he plans to release 1 million barrels per day, and now other countries are considering it.
A Gainesville woman visiting St. Petersburg died early Sunday morning after a vehicle hit her in the downtown area.
A Polk County resident won from the Florida Lottery's new 500x The Cash Scratch-Off game Friday.
Facebook connection for a Sarasota woman turns into helping Ukraine refugees, 50th-anniversary celebration of Special Olympics: FL Good News
Florida Highway Patrol investigated an early Saturday morning crash in St. Petersburg on 54th Avenue North.
The 6th Sunlit Literary Festival returns to St. Pete this weekend featuring author discussions, readings, inspirations, 1K and more.