WASHINGTON (AP) — “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House on Friday for a visit with President Joe Biden and walked away with a pair of the president's aviator sunglasses and a greater respect for the office. “I love the merch," he said, taking off the glasses during a quick appearance at the White House daily press briefing following his visit with Biden. Hamill, 72, famous for playing Luke Skywalker, kidded with reporters that he'd take a few questions — as long as they weren't about “Star Wars ..read more

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police have arrested nearly 2,200 people during pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the United States in recent weeks, sometimes using riot gear, tactical vehicles and flash-bang devices to clear tent encampments and occupied buildings. One officer accidentally discharged his gun inside a Columbia University administration building while clearing out protesters camped inside, authorities said. No one was injured by the officer's mistake late Tuesday inside Hamilton Hall on the Columbia campus, the NYPD said Thursday. He was trying to use the flashlight attach ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) joined a pro-Israel rally on the campus of George Washington University on Thursday. "Jewish students deserve to have a place where they can learn and go about their daily life without fearing for their safety, and they deserve university leadership that fights for their right to do so," Scott said in a statement. "As I told the students I met with last night, my daughter attended GW and what I am seeing on that campus today is something I never could have imagined ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis spoke to the media in Jacksonville on Thursday. The Florida governor was joined by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis at VyStar Tower. You can watch the full news conference on the video player above. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Graduation weekend begins at USF-Tampa on Thursday, April 2, and after years of hard work, some parents told 8 On Your Side they're worried protestors could negatively impact the celebration. USF officials told 8 On Your Side they will not tolerate inappropriate behavior at the ceremonies. They said there will be an increased police presence at the Yuengling Center for Thursday night and the rest of the weekend. Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of South Florida have been unclear if they will make their movement known at graduation. "Do we have plans to disrupt ..read more

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) — A Palm Harbor man is the newest American behind bars for his role in the Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the Department of Justice. Michael Hennessey, 38, traveled to Washington D.C. for the "Stop the Steal" rally and joined the crowd to enter the Capitol building via the West Plaza ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Florida on Wednesday, the day the state's 6-week abortion ban goes into effect. Harris stopped Jacksonville to deliver a speech about the "fight for reproductive freedom." This comes after President Joe Biden spoke about the issue in Tampa on April 23. Biden vowed to "hold Trump accountable" if reelected in November. ‘We’re going to hold Trump accountable’: President Biden speaks on abortion rights at Tampa campaign stop Harris shared stories of pregnant women denied reproductive care and miscarrying women turned away from emergency r ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Hardee County on Wednesday. He will be joined by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson at the Hardee County Cattleman's Arena in Wuachula. You can watch the news conference on the video player above ..read more

(The Hill) — Former President Trump blasted the protests taking place on college campuses nationwide over the war in Gaza and questioned if Columbia University students who took over a building will face similar consequences to those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. "This whole country is up in arms, breaking into colleges, knocking the hell out of Columbia University," Trump told reporters Tuesday, standing outside the courtroom where he is attending his first criminal trial, centered on an alleged hush money scheme during the 2016 campaign. No clothes? No problem: Nude cruise to set ..read more

Related video above: Florida Democrats hope abortion, marijuana questions draw young voters despite low enthusiasm JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Abortion clinics in Florida say they have been trying to see as many patients as possible before the state's ban on abortions after six weeks takes effect on Wednesday. In Jacksonville, a clinic called A Woman’s Choice provided around double its usual volume of abortions on Monday, according to Amber Gavin, its vice president of advocacy and operations. The waiting room has been so crowded that patients' companions were asked to stay in their cars or drop p ..read more