WFLA News Channel 8

RAYS UP! ⚾ Are you ready for Game 4, Tampa Bay? The first official pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. at Tropicana field. Right-hander Griffin Jax is starting Game 4 for the Rays. https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/rays-world-series-what-to-know-about-parking-food-event-times-at-tropicana-field/

#BREAKING The U.S. Navy has identified three sailors who were killed in a crash in Pensacola over the weekend. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/u-s-navy-identifies-three-sailors-killed-in-florida-crash/ 

CAUGHT ON CAM: A Tampa woman was arrested after deputies said she crashed a stolen SUV into a patrol car while trying to evade an arrest. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-woman-crashes-stolen-suv-into-patrol-car-while-trying-to-evade-deputies-sheriffs-office/

LONGO BACK ON THE FIELD ⚾ Tampa Bay Rays legend Evan Longoria will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the World Series, and he said he's excited to be back! Rays up! https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/world-series-game-4-whos-singing-national-anthem-throwing-first-pitch/ 

Three brothers convicted of exploiting their wealth and access to luxury real estate to drug and rape dozens of women were sentenced to 30 years in prison. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/3-alexander-brothers-each-get-30-years-in-prison-for-sex-trafficking-after-women-talk-of-being-raped/ 

"Blow, blow Seminole wind": Florida now has a new anthem, "Seminole Wind," in homage to late singer and Florida native John Anderson, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/seminole-wind-declared-floridas-official-anthem-desantis-orders/ 

Ten people were charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering for running an alleged drug operation in Tampa Bay with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/live-florida-attorney-general-pinellas-sheriff-announce-drug-arrests/

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to make a stand against the Brewers in the World Series. Are you going to Game 4? Send us your fan photos! https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/send-us-your-rays-game-fan-pictures/ 

"HIS ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE MORAL TURPITUDE": A Florida sheriff's deputy was arrested on charges of soliciting prostitution, authorities said. https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/shouldve-known-better-florida-deputy-arrested-for-soliciting-prostitution-sheriff-says/ 

A longtime zookeeper at a safari park in the Netherlands died Tuesday from injuries she suffered when she was attacked by a leopard in its enclosure over the weekend. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/dutch-zookeeper-dies-after-leopard-attacks-her-in-the-animals-enclosure/ 

A man was arrested after he shot and killed a friend during an argument, authorities say. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-man-arrested-after-fatally-shooting-friend-during-fight-sheriff/

ONE GAME AT A TIME: The Tampa Bay Rays will try to stave off elimination and avoid a Brewers sweep in Game 4 of the World Series. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team should take the series one game at a time. wfla.com/rays

As Floridians cast their ballots early for the 2026 midterms, Democrats and Republicans are competing for the majority, taking leads in different voting methods. https://www.wfla.com/news/battleground-florida/democrats-overtake-in-florida-mail-in-voting-republicans-outperform-in-early-voting/ 

Her husband, a 48-year-old man from the Philippines, tried to convince investigators that she was living overseas and purposefully avoiding contact with friends and family. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-womans-husband-charged-with-her-murder-2-years-after-she-disappeared-sheriff/ 

An HCSO corporal is out of the hospital after a car crashed into her vehicle while she was working a separate crash. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/hillsborough-county-sheriffs-office-corporal-shares-her-story-after-being-hit-by-car/

BUTTER RECALL: A popular plant-based butter has been recalled due to yeast, mold and E. coli, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has now assigned it a risk level. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/recalled-butter-sold-in-florida-receives-risk-warning-fda/ 

"WHO AM I TIPPING HERE?" A viral video appears to show a traveler being prompted to leave a tip while purchasing a bottle of water — at a self-service kiosk. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/who-am-i-tipping-here-self-service-kiosk-at-airport-prompts-customer-to-tip-18-viral-video-shows/

NE-YO AT THE TROP ⚾ Singer, songwriter, record producer and actor NE-YO will perform the national anthem ahead of Game 4! https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/world-series-game-4-whos-singing-national-anthem-throwing-first-pitch/ 

An American Airlines flight attendant is accused of using her travel benefits and defrauding a 75-year-old Florida woman as part of a sweepstakes scam. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/flight-attendant-accused-of-using-travel-benefits-stealing-20k-from-florida-woman/

MANHUNT CONTINUES: The search for a Tennessee inmate convicted of murder has intensified as the manhunt enters a third day. Jacob Allen Morley was caught on camera stealing a white pickup truck. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/map-shows-confirmed-sightings-of-escaped-tennessee-killer/ 

K-9 Diesel is ready for Game 4!⚾St. Petersburg police officer Blomgren and K-9 Diesel conducted security sweeps at Tropicana Field before a must-win Game 4 of the World Series. https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-petersburg-police-k-9-diesel-prepares-for-game-4-at-tropicana-field/ 

CHECK IT OUT: A Tampa barbecue restaurant announced that it will be featured on the current season of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-bbq-restaurant-to-be-featured-on-guy-fieris-diners-drive-ins-and-dives/ 

McAfee said that his mind immediately went to the assassination of Charlie Kirk that took place on Utah Valley University campus just one year ago. https://www.wfla.com/entertainment-news/pat-mcafee-calls-college-gameday-visit-to-university-of-utah-uncomfortable/

"SEXIEST MAN ALIVE": When this year's honoree received word he had been chosen for what has become a pop culture staple, he thought it "sounded like a prank." https://www.wfla.com/entertainment-news/celebrity-news/sexiest-man-alive-thought-honor-was-a-prank-people/ 

ANOTHER CASE: Authorities in Utah pinned another decades-old homicide on serial killer Ted Bundy. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/authorities-connect-serial-killer-ted-bundy-to-another-1970s-homicide/ 

Two people were hospitalized after a car struck a school bus in Dover on Tuesday morning, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/student-driver-hospitalized-after-school-bus-crash-in-dover-hillsborough-sheriff/ 

Anthropic’s Claude AI model reportedly accessed publicly available Georgia election data without human authorization, raising fresh questions about AI security and human oversight. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/claude-ai-reportedly-bypassed-paywall-to-access-georgia-voter-data/ 

RAYS RECAP: The Tampa Bay Rays are facing elimination after the Milwaukee Brewers dominated in Game 3 of the World Series. The Rays must win Game 4 to keep the series alive and prevent a Brewers sweep. wfla.com/rays

Taylor Swift signed her first publishing deal in Nashville at the age of 14. About 22 years and 14 Grammys later, she joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/taylor-swift-lyle-lovett-and-more-inducted-into-nashville-songwriters-hall-of-fame/ 

"Our hearts are with Austin’s family" | A Florida firefighter has died more than a year after his brother, another firefighter, died unexpectedly. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-firefighter-paramedic-dies-a-year-after-firefighter-brother/ 

Amendment 3 would increase FL's homestead property tax exemption, potentially saving homeowners money, while raising concerns about funding for essential services. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/florida-amendment-3-promises-relief-for-homeowners-draws-criticism-from-first-responders/

A 7-year-old girl who was in critical condition after a school shooting in Bend, Oregon, earlier this month is now stable and out of the intensive care unit, her family said. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/7-year-old-oregon-school-shooting-survivor-is-out-of-icu-family-says/

The report names Russia, China, and Iran and warns that women and girls are key targets of AI-generated content, bot networks and social media algorithms designed to manipulate Americans. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/russia-china-and-iran-target-women-and-girls-with-ai-bots-report-warns/

Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day is returning for the holiday season! On Red Cup Day, customers who purchase any handcrafted holiday beverage can receive a collectible reusable holiday cup while supplies last. https://www.wfla.com/dont-miss/how-to-get-a-free-reusable-cup-on-starbucks-red-cup-day/ 

She explained that when she told Dolly about her diagnosis, her aunt was really affected by the news, adding, “And that’s how I figured it out.” https://www.wfla.com/news/national/dolly-partons-niece-realized-singer-had-cancer-upon-revealing-own-diagnosis/

Nicki Minaj appeared alongside President Trump at a rally in Michigan over the weekend, highlighting her growing role in his political circle and dividing fans. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/nicki-minajs-role-in-trumps-political-circle-divides-fans/

A Florida man was arrested over the weekend after shooting at neighbors with an AR-15-style rifle from his backyard, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office announced. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-man-shoots-at-neighbors-from-backyard-with-ar-style-gun-deputies-say/

Brainstacking is the latest wellness trend sweeping TikTok, with users sharing a new habit to try to reverse brain rot and stop doomscrolling. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/brainstacking-can-the-latest-tiktok-trend-actually-reverse-brain-rot/

Two men were charged Tuesday with national security offenses over last month’s incident at RAF Fairford, a U.S.-run military base in England, prosecutors said. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/2-men-charged-with-uk-national-security-offenses-over-incident-at-us-run-military-base-in-england/

Florida is among 20 other states and the FTC suing Dollar General, alleging it cost consumers millions of dollars through deceptive pricing practices over several years. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/ftc-20-states-including-florida-sue-dollar-general-claiming-customers-overcharged/ 

"Continue to stand up for animals" | A Lakeland man is heading to prison after he shot an innocent horse over money, the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office announced. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/lakeland-man-pleads-guilty-to-shooting-innocent-horse-while-demanding-money-sao/ 

Winter Haven community members came together for a concert to honor the victims of the deadly bus crash that occurred earlier this month through music at the historic Ritz Theater. https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/concert-held-to-honor-winter-haven-school-bus-crash-victims/ 

The Tampa Bay Rays spoke after their Game 3 loss to Milwaukee, saying there is still an opportunity for them to win the World Series. https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/brewers-rout-the-rays-10-1-to-move-within-a-win-of-their-first-world-series-title/ 

The Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3, moving one step closer to their first World Series title. https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/brewers-rout-the-rays-10-1-to-move-within-a-win-of-their-first-world-series-title/ 

#BREAKING The Tampa Bay Rays have lost Game 3 to the Milwaukee Brewers, leaving them 0-3 in the World Series. https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/rays-vs-world-series-game-3-live-blog/ 

Several heads of law enforcement agencies and firefighters voiced their opposition to Amendment 3, saying it would slash and burn funding. https://www.wfla.com/news/battleground-florida/several-florida-public-safety-officials-warn-against-amendment-3/ 

SOLD OUT: Over 40,000 people attended Game 3 of the Tampa Bay Rays vs Milwaukee Brewers World Series, selling out the stadium. https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/rays-vs-world-series-game-3-live-blog/ 

An Illinois man is facing federal charges related to mailing letters containing a white substance to four members of Congress this month. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/man-charged-with-sending-white-substance-to-4-lawmakers/ 

Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged again by the Justice Department for allegedly disclosing sensitive national defense information in 2016, according to newly unsealed court documents. https://www.wfla.com/news/national/doj-charges-comey-for-third-time/ 

Want to keep up with the Rays vs Brewers in Game 3? Check out our live blog https://www.wfla.com/sports/rays/rays-vs-world-series-game-3-live-blog/