Carla Bayron
Carla Bayron is a general assignment reporter for FOX 13 covering Polk County. She joined the team in September 2023.
Carla is a Sunshine State native who grew up in Palm Harbor. She attended Palm Harbor University High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Telecommunications.
After nearly six years reporting throughout the state of Michigan, she's thrilled to be back in the Tampa Bay area and closer to family. She said she will miss the Fall season, the beaches along Lake Michigan, and yes, even the snow, but only around Christmas time!
Throughout her career, Carla has covered numerous high-profile events, including the mass shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County, MI, the officer-involved shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, President Trump's 2016 campaign rally in Ocala, Florida and white nationalist Richard Spencer's speaking appearance at the University of Florida.
In her spare time, Carla enjoys creative writing, playing video games with her husband, and cheering on the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay sports teams. She also loves traveling, eating, and exploring the outdoors.
The latest from Carla Bayron
Polk County teens help lift 900-pound golf cart off friend trapped underneath following serious accident
A teenager in Polk County is celebrating her birthday in the hospital after a serious accident that left her underneath a 900-pound golf cart.
Man arrested after argument leads to deadly parking lot shooting at Lakeland pool hall: Police
Police arrested a man in connection with a shooting that left a 48-year-old man dead early Thursday morning outside a pool hall, according to the Lakeland Police Department.
Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier suing Lakeland ice-skating arena
Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain, Vincent Lecavalier, is suing an ice-skating arena in Lakeland for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Lake Wales Little League vows to rebuild trust after police arrest former board members for grand theft
Lake Wales Little League's current president vows to rebuild trust back with the community after two former board members were charged with stealing thousands from the league.
Lakeland to hold public hearing on Talbot House's push for new location
Last year, Talbot House Ministries, a homeless services provider, was denied its plan to relocate and build a new facility off East Memorial Boulevard. They appealed and now the City of Lakeland will be holding a public hearing on the matter.
Florida Poly's new esports arena is about having fun and preparing students for the workforce
Florida Polytechnic University opened its brand-new esports arena on campus, which is not just about having fun and gaming competitively, it's also about preparing students for their own careers.
Lake Wales streetscape projects aim to connect neighborhoods to downtown
More streetscape projects are on the way in Lake Wales to attract more people and business downtown.
Construction date set for Lakeland’s controversial $22M ‘road diet’ project as design phase draws to an end
A road diet project dubbed an 'eyesore' in the Dixieland corridor is now more than halfway through its design phase and construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Family, friends rally around retired Polk County firefighter who lost home in blaze
A family in Polk County was forced to evacuate their home last week to escape a brush fire.
Florida Poly to launch cybersecurity and AI laboratory on campus
After receiving nearly $3 million in federal funding, the security operations center on campus will be expanded with the addition of an artificial intelligence lab.