Alligator Hunting, Busch Gardens Deal, Trump Or Clinton?

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top headlines from the past week:

Military Veterans Get Half-Off Deal At Busch Gardens

Memorial Day is still more than a month away, but that's not stopping Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from honoring those who have served or currently serve the country a little bit early this year.

Florida Alligator Hunting: Application Period Opens Soon

Hunters daring enough to brave Florida’s swamps to go after alligators will soon get their chance to apply for a statewide permit lottery. A few rules of the road, however, have changed that state officials want hunters to be aware of.

Restaurant Inspections: Roaches, Rodents, Dirty Ice Machine

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at three area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t hold up to state guidelines for health and safety. Live roaches, dirty conditions, unsafe food storage and evidence of rodents were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings.

Girl Died After Mom Avoided Hospital Co-Pay: Deputies

A 39-year-old Tampa woman’s alleged attempt to avoid the hospital co-pay required to acquire care for her sick daughter has cost her a manslaughter charge.

Florida Patch Poll: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump?

Donald Trump's crushing, five-state sweep Tuesday makes Indiana's primary the last big breakwall for Republicans trying to block the tidal wave that is Trump. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton maintained her lead with a four-state win, but sacrificed Rhode Island to Bernie Sanders.

Amazon Prime Now Comes To Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay area shoppers who just can’t wait two days for standard Amazon Prime deliveries now have a new option. Amazon.com has rolled out is Prime Now service in some Tampa area communities.

Lightning Wins Equal More Free McDonald’s

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s advance to round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is reason to celebrate. At least, that’s what McDonald’s throughout the region seem to think.

Florida School District Passes Transgender Bathroom Ban

Citing reverse discrimination, the Marion County School Board overturned its own bathroom policy Tuesday night. That reversal effectively blocks transgender students from using the bathroom of their choosing, forcing them instead to use facilities that correspond to their sex at birth.

Photo courtesy of the Busch Gardens Facebook page