2nd Baby Dies | Toxic Gas | K9 Crash: FL Top News

FLORIDA — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from all across Florida. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

State Troopers And Their K-9s On Mend After Rollover Crash During Pursuit

State troopers with their K-9 partners were involved in a rollover crash while pursuing a fleeing suspect along interstates 4 and 75. Both troopers and their dogs escaped serious injuries although the highway patrol vehicles were totaled.

Hot Chicken Nugget Leads To $800,000 Award in Lawsuit Against McDonald's

A jury awarded $800,000 in damages to a Florida girl, four years after a hot McDonald's chicken nugget fell in her lap. The then-8-year-old girl suffered severe burns to her thighs. Her lawyers sued for $15 million.

Community Comes Together To Aid Wildlife Center Devastated By Fire That Killed 127 Animals

The community has come together to help raise money to aid a wildlife center that's been a mainstay in Pinellas County for years. A fire swept through the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, which takes in injured and unwanted wildlife including alligators, sloths, parrots and monkeys, killing 127 of the center's 250 animals.

2nd Baby Dies In Hot Car During Record-Breaking Florida Heat Wave

In the midst of a heat wave that has the National Weather Service issuing statewide advisories, a second baby has died after being left in a hot car, this time by a babysitter. The 10-month-old girl died Wednesday. On July 5, an 18-month-girl died after being left overnight in a car following a Fourth of July party at which her parents were accused of using alcohol and drugs.

FL Vocalist Sings Different Tune After Sentencing to Federal Prison for Leading March On U.S. Capitol

A Florida singer and vocal coach that federal prosecutors said was a leader in urging rioters to breach the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison. The FBI said she used a flagpole to push down a Capitol police sergeant guarding the doors to the House floor. The sergeant fell back against the doors, causing them to open, allowing a crowd of protesters access to the House chambers. The sergeant was seriously injured after striking his head on a marble statue of Lafayette.

While Hispanic Advocacy Groups Protest DeSantis' So-Called Immigration Reforms, 29-Year-Old Woman Dies Of Extreme Heat Working In Fields

Hispanic advocacy groups and human rights organizations have filed suit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature after new laws went into effect July 1 that they say unfairly targets hard-working undocumented immigrants toiling for substandard wages in the fields. In the meantime, one of those farmworkers, a 29-year-old woman, died while working in extreme heat in the fields.

Florida Experiences Double Whammy: 7 Malaria Cases And Parasitic Stomach Bug

A new malaria case was confirmed this week in Sarasota County, bringing the total number of recent cases of the mosquito-borne illness in the area to seven, according to the Florida Department of Health. Meanwhile, a parasitic stomach bug known as intestinal infection cyclosporiasis, linked to contaminated water and fresh produce, is spiking in Florida.

Toxic Gas From Lithium-Ion Batteries Cause Medical Center's Evacuation

The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said 30 lithium-ion batteries weighing 100 pounds each that are used to power MRI machines and other medical equipment began leaking at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, emitting toxic gas. More than 80 staff and patients had to be evacuated.

Largest Burmese Python Nest Found In FL Everglades With 111 Eggs

As Florida announces open season on nonnative Burmese pythons that are detrimental to native wildlife, a python hunter discovered a female python protecting a nest with 111 eggs, the largest python nest ever recorded in the Florida Everglades.

Work Underway To Fill Florida Sinkhole That Took Man's Life in 2013

Hillsborough County workers spent the week refilling a notorious sinkhole with gravel after it opened for the third time. The sinkhole originally formed on Feb. 28, 2013, swallowing the bedroom of a home while a 36-year-old man was asleep in the bed. His body has never been recovered.

More top Florida news stories:

• $1M Powerball Ticket Sold In Florida, Jackpot Swells To $1B
  
• Miami Mom Tried To Hire A Hitman To Kill Her 3-Year-Old So
• Land Rover, Lamborghini Stolen When Keys Swiped From Valet Stands
• Global Internet Breach May Impact Hillsborough Residents, Businesses
• Man Who Stabbed Mother In Front Of Kids Fatally Shot By Tampa Police
• Child Killed By 3-Year-Old Driving Golf Cart In Lee County: FHP
• FL Violated ADA By Institutionalizing Kids With Disabilities: DOJ
• Hit-And-Run Tesla Driver Sought In Gandy Bridge Crash: FHP
• FL Proud Boy Gets Prison Time For Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach: DOJ

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