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
Man accused of shooting girlfriend in Auburndale pulls gun on deputies who shot him: PCSO
A man was shot by Polk County law enforcement officers Friday morning after investigators say he shot his girlfriend twice, killing her outside a Spectrum store in Auburndale.
Brother of 'deviant' Lakeland Santa accused of exposing himself to child at Walmart
Polk County deputies arrested a 62-year-old man who they say exposed himself to a 5-year-old child inside a Mulberry Walmart after a Crime Stoppers tip ended a two-day search.
Polk County Public Schools needs dozens of bus drivers before start of classes
Polk County Public Schools officials are urgently hiring full-time bus drivers to fill 70 vacancies caused by rapid population growth and recent retirements.
Polk County court expansion reduces judge caseloads amid population boom
Chief Judge James Yancey established a sixth family division at Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit Court on Monday to address an exploding population and a surging caseload in Polk County.
Lakeland City Commission holds first public hearing on proposed data center moratorium
Lakeland city commissioners held the first public hearing Monday at 9 a.m. at City Hall on a proposed one-year moratorium on new large-scale computing facilities.
First public hearing on proposed large-scale data center moratorium scheduled for Monday in Lakeland
Lakeland officials are preparing to review a 12-month moratorium on large-scale computing facilities following heavy community pushback against a massive development project. The first public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday morning at city hall.
Polk County effort aims to rebrand State Road 60 to 'Route 60' after iconic Route 66
Polk County leaders and business owners are backing an ambitious proposal to rebrand State Road 60 as Route 60 to create a coast-to-coast tourism adventure across Florida.
Florida SWAT Association holds first active shooter conference at Florida Southern College
Law enforcement officers from across the state have gathered at Florida Southern College for realistic tactical training drills. The exercises mark the first-ever conference hosted by the Florida SWAT Association to prepare teams for high-stakes emergencies.
State-of-the-art firefighter training center in Polk County features largest burn tower in the nation
Polk County Fire Rescue members can now train at their first-ever dedicated campus designed to simulate real-world emergencies. The state-of-the-art facility opened Tuesday in Winter Haven to support one of the busiest emergency organizations in Florida.
Lakeland police urge 'Red, White, and Kaboom' visitors to prepare for extreme heat
Downtown Lakeland will transform into a massive celebration Friday as city officials prepare for up to 50,000 visitors at the annual Red, White, and Kaboom event.