FOX 13's original report on Winter the dolphin: April 2007
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FOX 13's Cynthia Smoot has been covering Winter the tailless dolphin for years -- long before the rescued dolphin became a movie star and CMA icon. Here's how it all began in April of 2007.

Monkey Island of Homosassa, a Florida tale

Back in the 1960s, a Citrus County developer tried to fix two problems and ended up creating Florida's own Alcatraz. Monkey Island remains a fixture for the state's Nature Coast, beloved by locals and an attraction for visitors.

Water from St. Pete's famed Fountain of Youth contained high levels of lithium

What if a sip of water could turn back time? That is the promise of the mythical Fountain of Youth, but as recently as the 1970s, St. Pete residents thought they had tapped into their very own magical water source.

Expansion plans finalized for Florida's first landmark museum for Black history

The designs and specs are in to expand a St. Petersburg museum into the first landmark museum for Black history and culture in the state of Florida. 

The history of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park

The Sunshine State’s major tourism industry began with a 'Good Housekeeping' article back in the 1930s. Today, Cypress Gardens lives on as part of LEGOLAND Florida.

Hotel Floridan's new owners plan 'significant renovation' of Tampa's original skyscraper

At 19 stories and 240 feet, the Hotel Floridan was the tallest building in Florida when it was under construction in 1923. When it opened in 1927, it was Tampa’s original skyscraper. 

Polk County: 'Region with a Record'
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This circa 1963 film provides a look at Polk County, showing citrus groves and processing, Bok Tower, the Great Masterpiece and Cypress Gardens. An unusual scenic attraction is Sand Mountain, a phosphate debris pile. Next is a cattle farm and then Florida Southern College. Produced by Sanborn Film Productions; sponsored by Polk County Chamber of Commerce. Video courtesy State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.

Family hopes to save life's work of Hillsborough County master gardener

A Hillsborough County woman spent decades growing a lush tropical garden. However, she passed away this summer, and now the two-acre property’s future is uncertain.

'America is under attack:' Bush was in Sarasota classroom when grim news came

On an otherwise unremarkable Tuesday morning, President George W. Bush was in Florida to discuss education initiatives at an elementary school. But that visit was interrupted by the worst terror attack on American soil.

At 76 years of age, the SS American Victory lives on in Tampa

The SS American Victory has seen plenty of days, putting in plenty of service – in fact, it continues to serve the community to this day.

Signs of the times: Photographer’s ‘Vintage Neon Project’ documents bygone era

Ten years ago, a St. Petersburg graphic designer started the Vintage Neon Project. He photographs old signs that represent a bygone era of Florida tourism.

Radar identifies three possible graves under Tropicana Field parking lots

The city of St. Petersburg will explore the next steps after archaeologists recently found a lost cemetery with three possible graves at Tropicana Field, the latest in an effort to uncover erased African American cemeteries in Tampa Bay. 

St. Petersburg Museum of History asks for submissions of African American and LGBTQIA+ history

The St. Petersburg Museum of History is asking community members to submit images, objects, documents, and personal stories in an effort to build its archive of African American and LGBTQIA+ histories. 

After four decades, Kojak's House of Ribs will close in South Tampa

Since 1978, Kojak's House of Ribs has been serving up some of Tampa's most famous ribs -- and homemade sangria. This weekend, they will be shutting their doors to make way for a new apartment complex.