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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another field drug test mistake sends woman to jail -- for months
Rebecca Shaw is not a criminal, but for months, she was treated like one. The mother of four -- who didn't break the law or do anything wrong -- sat in jail for five long, agonizing months.
Rebecca Shaw is not a criminal, but for months, she was treated like one. The mother of four -- who didn't break the law or do anything wrong -- sat in jail for five long, agonizing months.
Who helps the helpers? PTSD leaves first responders struggling, jobless
Former Eatonville police officer Omar Delgado saved a man’s life during the Pulse nightclub massacre. He was one of the first officers to arrive at the club on June 12, 2016.
Former Eatonville police officer Omar Delgado saved a man’s life during the Pulse nightclub massacre. He was one of the first officers to arrive at the club on June 12, 2016.
Florida highways' express lanes drive controversy
Our state transportation leaders say express lanes are the future because they improve traffic flow. However, the I-95 express lane project has drawn mixed reviews and controversy in South Florida -- which has now spread to Tampa.
Our state transportation leaders say express lanes are the future because they improve traffic flow. However, the I-95 express lane project has drawn mixed reviews and controversy in South Florida -- which has now spread to Tampa.
Half of VA patients who experienced sexual trauma are men
Thousands of women and men have reported sexual misconduct within the ranks of the U.S. military, but survivors say the #MeToo movement left them behind.
Thousands of women and men have reported sexual misconduct within the ranks of the U.S. military, but survivors say the #MeToo movement left them behind.
FEMA fraud after Hurricane Irma
Chuck Fowler cannot believe what happened after Hurricane Irma. The FEMA application shows how his home in Riverview was damaged by fire, flood, tornado and hail. However, he cannot believe it -- because it never happened.
Chuck Fowler cannot believe what happened after Hurricane Irma. The FEMA application shows how his home in Riverview was damaged by fire, flood, tornado and hail. However, he cannot believe it -- because it never happened.
FOX 13 investigates big incentives for Amazon jobs
State and local governments have offered Amazon millions in public incentives to expand and hire in Florida. While Governor Scott and Tampa Bay area leaders have praised Amazon for fueling our economy, President Trump has strongly criticized Amazon and accused it of costing jobs.
State and local governments have offered Amazon millions in public incentives to expand and hire in Florida. While Governor Scott and Tampa Bay area leaders have praised Amazon for fueling our economy, President Trump has strongly criticized Amazon and accused it of costing jobs.
Pasco County's million-dollar gun range dispute
Pasco deputies train to stop killers and save lives. Sheriff Chris Nocco wanted his deputies to have an effective place to train. That is why the sheriff’s office asked state lawmakers for a million dollars to spruce up the firing range at Pasco Hernando State College. The legislature responded and the money spruced up quite a bit.
Pasco deputies train to stop killers and save lives. Sheriff Chris Nocco wanted his deputies to have an effective place to train. That is why the sheriff’s office asked state lawmakers for a million dollars to spruce up the firing range at Pasco Hernando State College. The legislature responded and the money spruced up quite a bit.
Haitian man, who had conviction overturned years ago, faces deportation
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 nine years ago.
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 nine years ago.
Florida residents struggle with insurance woes
Federal lawmakers are responding to growing complaints about rising costs and access to health care. As the U.S. House and U.S. Senate debate the options and plans, patients in Florida are sharing problems they have encountered that politicians are trying to address.
Federal lawmakers are responding to growing complaints about rising costs and access to health care. As the U.S. House and U.S. Senate debate the options and plans, patients in Florida are sharing problems they have encountered that politicians are trying to address.
State attorney investigates shooting of mentally ill inmate
The Pasco County Detention Center deputy who shot and severely injured a mentally ill inmate - with a device that should never be fired directly at a person - had never fired one before, according to records from the Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation, and obtained by FOX 13 News.
The Pasco County Detention Center deputy who shot and severely injured a mentally ill inmate - with a device that should never be fired directly at a person - had never fired one before, according to records from the Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation, and obtained by FOX 13 News.
Video shows corrections officer shooting inmate through cell door
Video of an inmate being shot by a corrections officer with a "less lethal" round through a slot in his cell door sparked a civil rights lawsuit.
Video of an inmate being shot by a corrections officer with a "less lethal" round through a slot in his cell door sparked a civil rights lawsuit.
State sues company at center of FOX 13 investigation
Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing Global Connections, saying it "allowed its Florida distributors to use unscrupulous sales tactics to induce consumers to purchase its vacation club memberships by greatly exaggerating the true savings, nature and value of the memberships."
Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing Global Connections, saying it "allowed its Florida distributors to use unscrupulous sales tactics to induce consumers to purchase its vacation club memberships by greatly exaggerating the true savings, nature and value of the memberships."