WTVT - FOX 13 Investigates

Flashy digital signs radiate controversy

Doug Smith — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:48:00 EDT

Businesses trying to wrestle up new customers are turning to attention grabbing digital signs. Critics say the signs are the equivalent of shouting down the street and everybody loses.

End-of-life wishes ignored, lawsuit says

Doug Smith — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:33:00 EDT

At age 91, Marjorie Mangiaruca lived a long, full life and told her daughter she was ready die when the time came. But when heart stopped, she was not allowed to die a peaceful, natural death, a pending lawsuit says. Marjorie's daughter Sharon Hallada says Marjorie's "do not resuscitate" order was ignored.

Worth it or wasted: Marketing alligators

Wed, 8 May 2013 21:46:00 EDT

Lawmakers approved a specific appropriation of $100,000 for alligator marketing in this year's budget, money that comes from the General Inspection Trust Fund. Is that a good spend of tax dollars?

Dealing with neighborhood disputes, before they turn deadly

Doug Smith — Wed, 8 May 2013 17:15:00 EDT

Home sweet home is not so sweet if you don't get along with your neighbors. Neighborhood disputes are on the rise, robbing people of peace and happiness, and in some cases, ending lives.

Synthetic marijuana a tricky foe for parents, cops

Doug Smith — Tue, 7 May 2013 22:19:00 EDT

Some kids and parents are still locked in a war against an enemy that's highly addictive and always changing -- synthetic marijuana.

Worth it or wasted - St. Petersburg Pier

Doug Smith — Wed, 1 May 2013 21:22:00 EDT

It's been a landmark in St. Petersburg for decades, but it looks the Pier is in store for major changes. Tearing it down will cost millions; rebuilding it tens of millions. Is the taxpayer money spent worth it or wasted?

Homeowners face fight to get sinkhole damage repaired

Doug Smith — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:01:00 EDT

When politicians changed the law in 2011 to fight fraudulent claims for damage caused by sinkholes, they made it tougher on homeowners who want to be sure their homes are fixed correctly.

Worth it or wasted: Space tourism

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:21:00 EDT

Now that the space shuttle fleet is retired, Florida is betting the next big thing out the Kennedy Space Center is space tourism.

'Unfair' tax break has some up in arms

Doug Smith — Mon, 7 May 2012 22:00:00 EDT

Amendment 7 was passed in 2006 to offer a discount on property tax for veterans wounded in combat. But some say others are taking advantage of the discounts, and the numbers add up.

City ignored crosswalk veneer guidelines

Doug Smith — Mon, 7 May 2012 22:00:00 EDT

Most of us realize crosswalks are the safest place to cross city streets. To help mark the area, Tampa started putting down a red-colored fake brick product. Some people like the way it looks, while others call it road waste. No matter how you feel about, the product certainly is not built to last like bricks.

Who is looking out for policyholders?

Doug Smith — Mon, 7 May 2012 22:01:00 EDT

Property insurance is a hot button topic in Tallahassee, and it is the function of the Office of Insurance Regulation to look out for homeowners to ensure fair rates.

Florida farm calendar is dust

Doug Smith — Mon, 7 May 2012 22:01:00 EDT

A FOX 13 investigation exposed wasteful government spending for an online farm calendar, but now, as a direct result of our investigation, the calendar is being scrapped.

$8-million calendar unnecessary, farmers say

Doug Smith — Mon, 7 May 2012 22:02:00 EDT

Farmers need to know when to water and when to fertilize. We want to know why the state is spending $8-million on a new calendar that will help them figure that out -- especially since farmers say they don't need it.

Shiny new crosswalks: Safer or a waste?

Tue, 1 May 2012 12:31:00 EDT

Tampa is making dozens of crosswalks along W. Kennedy Boulevard in the Westshore area of the city more visible by installing a new textured product that looks like painted brick. But opinions are mixed on the product.

Couple sues after lotto ticket typo means no money

Tue, 1 May 2012 12:36:00 EDT

An Ocala couple thought they had won the lottery. But their spirits were crushed when they got the bad news: Their scratch-off ticket had a typo, so they did not win the half-million dollars. It's a mistake the state knew...