Florida's number of registered sex offenders is rising dramatically.

Dwight Howard has eight early points as the Orlando Magic have taken an 18-13 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers in a battle of hot shooting teams so far.

Rogelio Cortes claims his civil rights were violated, his lawyer said.

A suspected credit card thief who was shot during a police take-down in a busy Target parking lot in 2010 is planning to file a federal lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department, his lawyer said Monday.

MIAMI (AP) — Two sources say Univision and Disney are close to a deal to create a 24-hour news channel for Latinos in English.

A federal jury Friday found an Orlando man guilty of participating in a drug-trafficking organization that mailed more than 140 packages of marijuana from Northern California to Central Florida, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Monday.

Of the 21 candidates for the top job in Orange County Public Schools, none has been in charge of a district of more than 45,000 students.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed Monday the agency banned two Central Florida CVS stores from selling controlled substances — a measure thought to be the first of its kind against a national retail pharmacy chain.

Long-time Orlando criminal defense attorney Joerg F. Jaeger confirmed late Monday that he is running as a Republican for Orange-Osceola State Attorney.

Dr. Mehmet Oz has big shows lined up for February: some of America's heaviest women on Tuesday, a hypnotist on Wednesday. But during a visit to Orlando today, he talked about an episode with chef Paula Deen that probably will never air.

Orlando has offered to compensate a row of small businesses that will be shut out of the action during the NBA All-Star Weekend — but the offer is a bit less than the $3.5 million the businesses initially sought.

Casey Anthony told her probation officer last month that her computer had been hacked.

SAN DIEGO ¿ A federal judge in San Diego has heard arguments in a case that could determine whether animals enjoy the same constitutional protection against slavery as human beings.

Officials say man's family was held hostage Sunday as he was forced to assist in robbery of Amscot location

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has released video of an armed robbery at an Orange County Amscot branch which followed a home invasion in Kissimmee early Sunday.

Jameer Nelson has been cleared to play tonight for the Orlando Magic against the Los Angeles Clippers, a Magic team spokesman said. Nelson sustained a concussion Jan. 27 and has missed the Magic’s last five games. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, who heads the NBA’s new concussion program, signed off on Nelson’s return. NBA players were tested before the season to measure their neurological function, and Nelson’s current functioning was compared to those initial baseline tests. After Nelson was injured, he had to be symptom-free before he attempted to exercise. After that, he had to complete a series of physical tests in front of the team’s medical staff — riding a stationary bike, jogging, individual basketball drills, a team workout at game speed — and remain symptom-free. It’s unclear how much Nelson will play tonight. Coach Stan Van Gundy has said Nelson could be limited when he does return. Nelson was tired after a recent workout. Follow Josh Robbins on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins and e-mail him at jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com . Subscribe to our Orlando Magic newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/joinus .

Investigators say Chico Randolph was shot near the nightclub entrance.

Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early morning shooting at Legacy Ultra Lounge that left man dead.

Jury selection is under way in the federal tax trial for Central Florida political consultant Doug Guetzloe.

A bull rider’s desire for a pair of alligator-skin chaps has led to wildlife charges against two Palm Beach County men.

Hazell Stoudemire, the older brother of NBA player and Cypress Creek High star Amare Stoudemire, died early this morning in a crash on U.S. Highway 27 in Polk County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A barricaded gunman surrendered peacefully and then was arrested in Winter Park on Monday morning, police said.

A rare February disturbance that initially looked like it had a chance to develop into a subtropical depression is fizzling, the National Hurricane Center Center said Monday morning.

A crash with injuries is blocking several lanes of westbound Interstate 4 near State Road 528.

Washington police say Josh Powell and his two young sons have been killed in an explosion at the Powells' Graham, Wash., home.

Longwood police said today that they are looking for two men in connection with a fatal shooting at a Super Bowl gathering Sunday.

In the wake of the fractious Florida Republican primary, some disgruntled conservatives are thinking about sitting out the general election or turning to a third-party candidate.

An Orange County woman who was forced from her apartment by fire Saturday was accidentally shot in the leg Sunday, WFTV.com is reporting.