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Fatal Oysters, Teacher Shortage, DeSantis Faces Lawsuit: Top FL News

Top FL news includes a boy loses his leg in shark bite, 132 mph speeder, 11K harassing phone calls, recruiting teachers, and DeSantis sued.

Top Florida news includes Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing three initiatives to recruit and retain teachers amid a statewide staffing shortage. He spoke recently at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey.
Top Florida news includes Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing three initiatives to recruit and retain teachers amid a statewide staffing shortage. He spoke recently at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey. (Florida Governor's Office)

FLORIDA — Top news stories this week in Florida included the caregivers of a 3-year-old St. Pete girl were charged with murder in her death; a woman is accused of making over 11,000 harassing phone calls to a police department so far this year; two deaths in the state are blamed on tainted oysters; Gov. DeSantis rallied supporters for his plan to get bonuses to veterans and first responders who become teachers as the state faces a staffing shortage; and a county attorney suspended by the governor filed a lawsuit against DeSantis.

Plus, video showed a dolphin carrying the body of its dead calf; a driver was charged after police said he raced along the Gandy Bridge at speeds up to 132 mph; a 10-year-boy had his leg partially amputated after a shark attacked him off the Florida Keys; the Lifetime cable network released a trailer of its upcoming movie about the final days of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie; and more in our roundup of top news stories from Florida Patch sites this week.

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Here are some of this week's top news headlines:

11,000 Harassing Phone Calls Made By 1 Woman To Cops: St. Pete Police

A woman faces charges after making more than 11,000 harassing phone calls to law enforcement since the start of the year, according to arrest records from St. Petersburg police.

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Suit Filed By Former FL State Attorney Over DeSantis' Ouster

Andrew Warren, the elected Hillsborough County state attorney suspended by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge DeSantis’ "blatant abuse of power." The suit asks a judge to compel the governor to rescind his "illegal order," restore Warren to office and prohibit DeSantis from taking similar "illegal actions against Warren in the future."

Teacher Shortage: DeSantis To Lure 1st Responders, Vets With Bonuses

With Florida facing a critical shortage of public school teachers, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three proposals to recruit and provide bonuses for retired first responders and military veterans who become teachers.

2 Deaths In Florida Linked To Eating Raw Oysters: Report

A bacterial infection linked to eating raw oysters claimed the lives of two Florida men this month, according to reports.

Toddler's Caregivers Charged In Her Death: St. Pete Police

The caregivers of a 3-year-old girl face charges related to her death, according to St. Petersburg police. Brandy Crews was brought to the hospital Aug. 9 with severe head injuries.

Dead Dolphin Calf Carried By Mother Through St. Pete Waters: Report

A St. Petersburg resident captured a video of a dolphin carrying her dead calf through waters near Boca Ciega Point.

Tampa Man Clocked Racing At 132 MPH On Gandy Bridge: Troopers

A Tampa man was arrested after being charged with racing along the Gandy Bridge at speeds up to 132 mph.

Boy's Leg Partially Amputated After Florida Keys Shark Attack

A 10-year-boy had his leg partially amputated after a shark attacked him off the Florida Keys. Jameson Reeder Jr. was bitten by what his family believes was an 8-foot bull shark while they were snorkeling.

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