Orlando News (BETA)

It's hard to catch a wildfire arsonist -- at least until he slips up.

About 100,000 Florida homeowners are facing the 2008 hurricane season with a different insurer.

It is a quiet, devastating death. Last year it claimed 14 babies in Orange County alone.

On Thursday night, 14-year-old Megan Hensley got into an argument with her family. Afterward, she told them she was going outside for a while.

Where is it written that helping the homeless and downtrodden has to be drudgery? Who says you can't have a live band while planning to save the world?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Three people face serious changes for using a pellet gun to rob three different people in Volusia County. Investigators said the gun looked like an Uzi.

LESSBURG, Fla. -- A wealthy business owner was arrested in Leesburg for allegedly trying to run someone down with his airplane.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- A Seminole County school bus driver apparently suffered a seizure and crashed the bus into some woods off SR 426. There were no students on the bus but early reports indicated two other vehicles were involved. Officials later said only the bus crashed.

As governments are discussing adding fees and cutting jobs to make end meet, Channel 9 has learned they’re also giving more than $60 million to dozens of groups that claim they bring both business and jobs to the region. But not all are convinced the investment is worth it. VIDEO: Governments Giving Away Millions While Adding Fees, Cutting Jobs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Allstate Corp.'s insurance companies can resume selling new car insurance and other policies in Florida, the state's insurance regulator said Friday.

Firefighters and forestry personnel continued Friday to mop up the remains of this week's brush fires that affected nearly 200 homes across the county. Strong winds and low humidity will keep the fire threat up.

Brevard County Sheriff's Office agents brought down what they are calling a "major" grow-house ring. Agents executed search warrants Friday morning at six houses in Palm Bay and one in Mims, seizing more than 200 plants and 50 pounds of harvested marijuana.

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Do greenhouse gases fuel hurricanes, spawning legions of stronger storms? Or is this notion strictly hot air? On Friday, two of the nation's leading climate scientists traded opposing opinions during a cordial debate on global warming and hurricanes.

One by one, dressed neatly in their iron-pressed cadet uniforms, students from Florida Air Academy saluted each other for the final time in their high school career on Friday.

PALM BAY -- Those accustomed to the plush environs of Brevard County's wealthy neighborhoods might not find Brickell Street in southeast Palm Bay to their liking.

A Central Florida police officer who called himself a "super-trained killer ninja fighter" has his gun and badge back this weekend.

A 52-year-old businessman was charged with using his plane to chase after another man on a taxiway at Leesburg Regional Airport. Neil Fischer, 52, of Leesburg was charged with aggravated assault Friday.

The Florida Department of Health issues a health advisory warning of the risks of well water due to ongoing wildfires in Brevard County.

Authorities searched for a missing surfer Friday night after a man was last seen about 300 yards south of Cocoa Beach Pier.

An Orlando hospital is at the center of an investigation.

Florida officials say Allstate Corp.'s insurance companies can resume selling new policies in the state.

Music mogul Lou Pearlman has asked to delay his sentencing for an elaborate fraud scheme.

Thousands of people in Central Florida's wildfire-scorched areas are being warned that well water may not be safe to drink.

It was called a criminal's dream come true -- a trash bin full of documents containing private information.

A search is under way for a hit-and-run driver who is blamed for running down a Lake County teenager and leaving her to die.

Courthouse

DAYTONA BEACH -- Whether it's fueled by friendship, an opinion of justice or shameless promotion, The Hog wants Sean Bishop set free.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Terri Lynn Brearey will never forget the first time seconds started passing like hours.

An attorney cannot prosecute two deputies accused of misconduct when a state attorney's daughter was strapped to a restraint chair in the Flagler County jail, Circuit Judge William Parsons ruled Friday.

EDGEWATER -- A former inmate faces a variety of charges, including scheming to defraud, after an investigation revealed he was using a Georgia county jail's bank account to pay his personal bills.

Jack Hennessee is 77 years old and wants to see another Triple Crown winner before he dies. He knows the clock is ticking and the race's favorite Saturday, Big Brown, is likely his last chance at seeing that happen.

OCALA Andrew Allred has waived his right to a jury, so only a judge will decide his punishment for the murders of Tiffany Barwick and Michael Ruschak.

OCALA On Thursday night, a would be robber thought he had an easy target and showed his pistol. What he didn't know was that businessman Leslie Morris had a gun too.Morris pulled his Cal Tech 9mm handgun first, and the robber ran away. Now Ocala police are looking for him.

OCALA Place your bets.Various horsemen's groups and track officials hammered out an agreement to allow Florida's Calder Race Course, along with the state's inter track wagering facilities, to simulcast the Preakness Stakes.

OCALA Brenda Jacobs lay in her hospital bed in February, with almost no shot at life.More than 140 pounds of fluid weighed her down. End stage heart and lung disease made every breath a struggle.She was mostly unconscious.

A Volusia County sheriff's deputy is home after spending most of Friday hospitalized after being bitten by an 8-foot-long alligator he was trying to subdue in a parking lot....

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office released new video Friday of a group of Polk County teens beating another teen.

The grief stricken mother of a 14 year girl killed by a hit and run driver made an emotional and passionate plea Friday night....

An Oviedo Police Officer has been vindicated. His gun and badge returned to him now that an internal investigation has been completed....

It’s a daily double dose of the Florida Lottery- two chances a day to win or lose starting Monday....

The fires may be out at Roadhouse Grill.

Florida Hospital Apopka launched a wellness program Thursday.

CB Richard Ellis Thursday announced it was awarded the exclusive listing agreement for The Plaza in downtown Orlando by RP Realty Partners LLC.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation on Wednesday says Allstate Corp. has a shot at doing business in the state again. (ALL)

Prime Outlets International Orlando on Thursday announced it plans to hold a grand opening celebration of its $300 million expansion and renovation.

BELLEVIEW — A body was found inside a Belleview home that burned early Thursday, officials said.

THE VILLAGES — Alex Coles remembers the thrill of the 1961 Preakness Stakes as if it were yesterday.

THE VILLAGES — People gathered Thursday to celebrate the service and sacrifice of living and deceased peace officers throughout the country.

WILDWOOD — Quarter-horse racing and card-room wagering could be coming to Sumter County if voters approve a gaming proposal at a June 17 special election.

THE VILLAGES — An overwhelming 97 percent of the thousands of residents who took part in the annual survey indicated they would refer friends and family to consider living in The Villages.