From 1975: Roy Leep tour of WTVT's weather center
Pioneering WTVT meteorologist Roy Leep recorded this video to be shared with schools back in late 1975. He explains the latest weather technology at the time: How WTVT’s radar worked, the GOES satellite receiving station, teletype and facsimile data, lightning detection, and more. Roy also offers a tour of the ‘Pulse 13 News’ set, and even has some advice for young students interested in a career in meteorology.
From 1992: Sam Wyche's April Fool's joke
When Sam Wyche was still new in Tampa, he got so frustrated dealing with Steve DeBerg and Vinny Testaverde that he walked out of the old One Buc Place, threatening to quit. At least, that was the joke he pulled with some help from WTVT's sports director at the time, Andy Hardy. Here's the archived WTVT video.
FOX 13 memories from the Cape
For all the deafening rocket launches, the technological wizardry, and the glorious images of Earth from orbit, the story of the exploration of space is, at its core, a human story. And no one knows that better than the reporters whose job it is to cover the Cape.
Last survivor of Hiroshima mission has no regrets for doing his job
A historic B-29 plane will be on display in Sarasota this weekend. Many World War II veterans hope to catch a glimpse, but the last surviving member from the Hiroshima nuclear mission has a unique point of view on the plane's history.
1980 Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster video
It was on May 9, 1980 when the unthinkable happened: The freighter M/V Summit Venture collided with a support column during a blinding thunderstorm, knocking a 1,200-foot section of the roadway into the water below.
From 2004: Man records Hurricane Charley's fury
FOX 13's Doug Smith catches up with a Lake Wales resident who recorded some of the destruction from Hurricane Charley as it happened. Originally aired August 14, 2004.
From 2004: Riding out Hurricane Charley
FOX 13's Glenn Selig reports from Punta Gorda after Hurricane Charley veered into the Southwest Florida community. Originally aired August 13, 2004.
On this day in 1989: Disney's MGM Studios opens with great fanfare, expectations
Thirty years ago, a little bit of old Hollywood came to Florida. The much-anticipated grand opening of Disney’s MGM Studios took place on May 1, 1989, expanding the Walt Disney World footprint with a third park.
From 1989: Opening Day at Disney MGM Studios
WTVT's Alan Wendt reports from the opening of Walt Disney World's MGM Studios, back on May 1, 1989.
From 1989: Big plans for Disney's MGM Studios
WTVT's Alan Wendt reports from the opening of Walt Disney World's MGM Studios, back on May 1, 1989.
From 1989: Parade, concert wrap up MGM Studios' grand opening
WTVT's Alan Wendt reports from the opening of Walt Disney World's MGM Studios, back on May 1, 1989.
From 1984: Serial killer Bobby Joe Long arrested
The rapes and murders had terrorized the Tampa area for weeks. Finally, just days after a task force was formed, Bobby Joe Long was arrested for the murders of several women. Here's how the coverage unfolded on WTVT. Originally aired November 17, 1984.
From 1984: Bobby Joe Long's first court appearance
A series of rapes and murders terrorized the Tampa area back in 1984. After Bobby Joe Long was arrested, the region breathed a sigh of relief. Here's his first appearance in court, as covered by Pulse 13's Marianne Pasha. Originally aired November 18, 1984.
From 1985: First St. Petersburg Grand Prix
Pulse 13's Larry Elliston covered the first-ever race through the streets of downtown St. Pete, the SCCA Trans-Am Series St. Petersburg Grand Prix. Originally aired November 3, 1985.
Remembering the USCGC Blackthorn tragedy
Memorial services are held annually for what the Coast Guard calls the “worst peacetime disaster” in the service’s history: The sinking of the USCGC Blackthorn in 1980.
From 1989: Ted Bundy's execution
Warren Elly reports from Starke, Florida on the day that serial killer Ted Bundy is executed. Originally aired January 24, 1989.
From 2014: Mulberry man reunited with military K-9
FOX 13's Walter Allen catches up with Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Simpson, who flew to Germany to bring home Robbie, his former K-9 partner. Originally aired March 12, 2014.
From 1990: 'Edward Scissorhands' castle
Many people know that the movie 'Edward Scissorhands' was filmed at locations in Lutz and Lakeland, Florida. But the castle itself was in Dade City. Here's Deanna Lawrence's report from April 24, 1990.
From the FOX 13 archives: Devil Rays' 1998 debut
The Tampa Bay Rays turn 20 years old on Saturday. The franchise – then known as the Devil Rays, of course – took the field for their first regular season game back on March 31, 1998.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998 debut
Play ball! The Tampa Bay Rays take the field for the first time. They ended up losing their regular-season debut to the Detroit Tigers, but that hardly put a damper on St. Petersburg's big day. Originally reported March 31, 1998 by FOX 13's John Wilson.