Orlando FreeFall death: Ride safety experts say teen's harness was not properly secured

Forensic inspectors from Explico Engineering out of Michigan spent hours Tuesday afternoon taking a close look at the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park, at times using a laser scanner. FOX 35 News asked two ride safety experts to take a look at a video recorded on the evening of the deadly fall.

Florida deputies arrest over 160 in Panama City Beach during 'dangerous' spring break weekend

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said that 161 people were arrested and jailed over during the “difficult, trying and dangerous weekend." He noted that 78 of those arrested were from Alabama and that officers seized 75 guns.

Orlando FreeFall rider death: Operations manual shows boy exceeded attraction's weight limits

The operations manual for Orlando FreeFall, the drop tower ride at ICON Park where a 14-year-old boy died last week after he seemingly fell out of the ride's restraints, indicates that the boy exceeded the ride's weight restrictions.

Gov. DeSantis signs bill prohibiting gender identity, sexual orientation instruction in grades K-3

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Parental Rights in Education Act" into law during a visit to Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill. The bill bars instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for young public-school students.

No dog left behind: Retired military K-9 with collapsed spinal cord gets new lease on life

When a K-9 who once helped the military find explosives and missing people became paralyzed, a former Sarasota County deputy stepped in to help the dog roll into his retirement years. 

Dollywood closes drop tower ride made by same manufacturer as Orlando FreeFall

Tyre Sampson, 14, fell off of the FreeFall ride at Orlando's ICON Park on Thursday night. The ride is 430-feet-tall, according to the attraction. The ride is operated by the SlingShot Group of Companies.

Father of teen who fell from ride wants answers: 'This should never happen'

A father wants to know why his son died on a ride. Yarnell Sampson said his 14-year-old son, Tyre, was visiting Orlando from St. Louis through a football program. He just wanted the kids to have fun and never expected this tragedy to occur.

Teen falls from Florida ride: Video shows moments leading up to deadly plunge

Witnesses say a 14-year-old boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which stands at 430 feet. It is the world’s tallest freestanding drop tower.

Tampa volunteers rescue newborn baby from Ukraine

An 8-day-old baby boy is safe in Poland with his parents after a group of volunteers rescued the infant from war-torn Ukraine, according to Project Dynamo, an American non-profit rescue organization based in Tampa. 

Gov. DeSantis issues proclamation declaring Sarasota swimmer 'real' winner over transgender athlete

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation declaring Sarasota native Emma Weyant the "real" winner of the NCAA Championship 500-yard freestyle after the top spot had gone to UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas, the first known transgender woman to win the title.

'I killed a lady on the bridge': Florida drawbridge tender arrested after 79-year-old falls to her death

Police said video evidence contradicted the worker's statement that she walked out onto the balcony and visually checked the bridge for vehicles or pedestrians, saying her actions showed "reckless disregard of human life."

Florida man charged in multi-state homicide investigation of colleague

A Florida man has been charged in a multi-state homicide investigation over the death of his colleague in White County, Indiana, state police said. 

16 Chicago police officers on no-pay status for violating vaccine mandate, Lightfoot says

Only 16 Chicago police officers are on no-pay status for defying the city’s vaccine mandate, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday, dismissing the possibility that mass firings will be needed in the middle off an unrelenting wave of violent crime.