Agent Orange and cancer: Veteran dies 1 month after VA reverses denial of benefits
Keith Brown was exposed to agent orange for years, but after being diagnosed with cancer years later, the VA said it wasn't related to the toxin and denied his benefits. Their correction was too late.
Hate crimes in Florida being underreported, or not reported at all
Some crimes that appear to fit the government’s definition of a hate crime were not classified as such, while others confirmed as hate crimes by local law enforcement are missing from the federal records, a FOX 13 investigation found.
Investigating cyber-security at U.S. Central Command
While the college admissions scandal exposed students getting undue help on their exams, FOX 13 started hearing and investigating claims of a different kind of cheating in one of the most sensitive parts of our government.
Florida's toxic algae crisis: Conditions ripe for years of blue-green algae blooms
Scientists expect more outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae this summer.
Florida's toxic algae crisis: Brain toxins produced by blue-green algae concern researchers
Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as toxic blue-green algae, strike lakes, rivers, canals, and ponds across Florida.
Legal resident faces deportation after overturned conviction
In the course of an investigation that spanned several years, FOX 13 uncovered evidence that freed a man from prison named Jean Claude Meus. A judge overturned his conviction 10 years ago. But while Meus is a lawful U.S. resident, the information in his court file caught the attention of federal immigration enforcement and resulted in a deportation case.
Trucker ID cards, intended to prevent terrorism, issued to terrorists, easily forged: Officials
The inspector general for the U.S. Department of Justice has discovered new lapses in port security. Inspectors found federal law enforcement agents did not understand how a port-security credential program known as TWIC works, and credentials were issued to known or suspected terrorists on the no-fly list.
FOX 13 investigation inspires bill to support disabled first responders
Florida voters gave disabled first responders a tax break. Then a Fox 13 investigation found state lawmakers added exclusions that disqualify many who need help the most. Now state lawmakers are responding to our reports with legislation to lift the restrictions and grant the tax relief as written on the ballot.
Florida votes, rejected for arriving too late, were mailed days or weeks before election
After last year's election, a judge called Florida the laughing stock of the world. As FOX 13 took a closer look at voting records, we found even more problems.
Florida's toxic algae crisis: Toxins found in air concern researchers
Governor DeSantis ran on the promise of protecting our environment. Since his inauguration in January, DeSantis has ordered significant changes to improve water quality and has emphasized environmental protection as a top priority.
Algae-filled water that poisoned South Florida dogs now being pumped underground
Ron DeSantis successfully ran for governor on a platform of solving the toxic water crisis. But there are no quick and easy solutions, and scientists say it’s already posing health risks you may not expect.
With school lunch legislation, Florida lawmakers weaken protections for fire victims
When state lawmakers passed a bill to promote nutrition in school lunches, voters -- and perhaps some of the legislators -- may not have known the bill also included provisions that weaken protections for fire victims. Families who live in the town of Eastpoint say they are paying for it after a fire disaster wiped out their homes, and they say it could cost state taxpayers much more.
The human and financial cost of mandatory sentencing laws
Courts across Florida convict people for drug trafficking who do not sell drugs. Watchdogs, judges, and lawmakers from both parties say it is part of a problem that strains prisons and costs taxpayers.
Blue-green slime and red tide: An in-depth look at Florida's water crisis
Explorers discovered Florida's treasure. We cherished and preserved it for hundreds of years -- until now. This is a story of water choked in slime. A river sample that tested 10 times too toxic to touch. Dead fish, manatees, turtles, and sharks fouling the beaches. And politicians pointing fingers or asleep at the wheel.
How lawmakers tweaked amendment meant to help disabled first responders
In 2016, voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment Three to give a property tax exemption to totally and permanently disabled first responders living in Florida. Then, after it passed, the legislature disqualified many totally and permanently disabled first responders living in Florida.
Crackdown interferes with kids' autism therapy
Parents across Florida say state Medicaid disrupted therapy for their kids with autism. The disruptions appear to relate to state efforts to address problems with fraud.
Legislature raids Florida's affordable-housing fund
A government fund called the State Housing Initiatives Partnership helps struggling families buy homes. It also helps the elderly and disabled stay in their homes. However, many of the people the program is intended to assist may lose out, because state lawmakers have been raiding the affordable housing trust funds.
Florida tax loopholes help big business
FOX 13 Investigates discovered several big businesses in Florida qualified for large tax breaks for projects that had been planned well before the legislation was passed.
Government's shipping deal helps Chinese knockoffs undercut local companies
Manufacturers in the Tampa Bay area and across the nation say they’re losing business to China because our government gives steep shipping discounts to their overseas competitors.
Legislature makes it tougher for disabled first responders to get tax breaks
Florida voters gave disabled first responders living in our state a property tax break. However, state lawmakers quietly added a catch that disqualifies many who need help the most.