JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas released a hostage video on Wednesday showing a well-known Israeli-American man who was among scores of people abducted by the militants in the attack that ignited the war in Gaza. The video was the first sign of life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, and its release ignited new protests in Jerusalem calling on the government to do more to secure the captives' release. In the video, Goldberg-Polin accused Israel’s government of abandoning the people who are being held hostage by Hamas. He also claimed that some 70 captives h ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa City Council unanimously passed a resolution creating the racial reconciliation committee after a nearly four-year effort. 8 On Your Side has been following Resolution 568 since its inception in 2020. The resolution was an effort to have the City of Tampa apologize for the injustices African Americans have endured since slavery. It also called for the formation of a committee that would help propose policies that would help eliminate any current racial inequities. While the city formally apologized, the committee was never formed. Reso-Racial-Reconciliation-Commi ..read more

TAMPA (BLOOM) - Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to show appreciation for the incredible moms in our lives. If you're searching for the ideal gift to make her day special, we've curated a list of unique and thoughtful options. From stylish home decor to practical pet accessories and indulgent treats, these gifts are sure to bring a smile to any mom's face ..read more

Related video: DeSantis greets American evacuees from Israel after they land in Tampa in October 2023. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the successful rescue of 722 Americans from Haiti on March 20. The rescue effort comes after political turmoil in the country. All the evacuees were given access to resources including food, water, medical treatment, and transportation home ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a lot to say about suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren at a Wednesday news conference in Redington Shores. However, the governor remained tight-lipped about whether he would remove Warren from his post if he is reelected as the county's top prosecutor this year. When 8 On Your Side's Nicole Rogers asked DeSantis about the potential for a second suspension, he had this to say: If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas. I think it's all going to work out and I think it will be good. Florida Go ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a Florida mom who was accused of making her children drink bleach and strangling her toddler to death, according to the State Attorney's Office. An affidavit from Orange County, dated May 2022, showed that Joanne Zephir, of Orlando, stabbed her husband of four years in the stomach because she believed he had been cheating. Hours later, she forced her two daughters, ages 3 and 8, to drink bleach from a "makeshift drinking glass," before strangling her toddler to death ..read more

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - An Oklahoma City metro couple, coming home from a dream vacation, has been caught in a Caribbean nightmare. Ryan and Valerie Watson went on a birthday trip with friends to Turks and Caicos in early April. Airport security found bullets in the couple’s duffle bag when they arrived for their return flight. Valerie was released April 22 and her charges were dropped, after being detained for 11 days on the island. She returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. McIntyre Law Chopper 4 captured the moments her plane touched down at Will Rogers World Airport. Inside the airport ..read more

Related video: A Tampa Bay area veteran was forced to prove he was in the Vietnam War despite a gunshot wound and toxic exposure. PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — An Odessa man is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison after stealing more than $60,000 in funds, the Department of Justice announced. Anthony J. Salomone, 64, pleaded guilty to theft of government property after failing to report his mother had died ..read more

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder following the death and disappearance of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, according to Osceola County court records. State Attorney Andrew Bain and Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland are expected to hold a news conference in Osceola County at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Stephan Sterns, who lived with and dated Madeline’s mother, was previously charged with 60 child sex crimes after investigators said they found evidence Sterns sexually abused Madeline dating back to 2019 when she was 8 years old. Kissimmee police said ..read more

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The clock is ticking on TikTok after the Senate passed a bill banning the social media app in the U.S. unless it is sold off by its Chinese owner. The U.S. says it’s time for TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese company or say goodbye to the U.S. market. “Congress is not acting to punish ByteDance, TikTok, or any other individual company. Congress is acting to prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Some lawmakers say TikTok is like a giant intelligence vacuum sucking up American users’ pri ..read more