Russia paying Florida businessman for right to broadcast Radio Sputnik over US airwaves
If you miss the hourly disclaimer, you may not realize you're listening to radio programs -- on American airwaves -- that are designed by the Kremlin to influence American voters.
Florida unemployment system failure continues one year into pandemic
Florida’s unemployment benefits system failed thousands of people when they needed help the most. Now claimants say it’s still holding up their benefits as state leaders consider plans to build a new system.
A year and a half later, widow's VA benefits finally come through
When we met Candi Weikert in November, she was a grieving widow who’d been unable to get her VA benefits for more than a year. The bank had already planned to auction her home, and she had given up hope of being able to keep it.
Noted 'Stand Your Ground' attorney calls for review of deadly 2016 shooting
The attorney who helped defend George Zimmerman is now on the other side of the courtroom, arguing Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law does not apply in a deadly Lee County shooting in which the victim was armed with a garden hose.
Why the government is releasing convicted rapists from prison
Harmony Allen was 19 years old and three months into her Air Force training when she was raped and beaten unconscious. Her sergeant was later convicted, but he was released from prison not long after, thanks to an apparent military loophole.
Red flag laws: Mistaken identity leads to revocation of veteran's firearms license
In South Florida, law enforcement took more than two dozen calls warning about the Parkland shooter in the months, weeks, and days before he opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The gender pay gap in Florida government
Government reports show men make more money than women in the private workforce. But who tracks the pay gaps in our government? FOX 13 compared salaries at state and local levels, and the results may surprise you.
Green Beret's cancer battle changes medical malpractice law for members of the military
Men and women who serve our country are suffering, and some have died due to serious errors in military health care. For years, they could not seek any compensation or remedy from our government. But the story of Richard Stayskal, and his efforts in Washington, drove change.
Suspended HART CEO spent nearly $2,000 at restaurants
Last year, Hillsborough County voters were so fed up with traffic they approved the highest sales tax in the state to fund improvements. Then in March, Ben Limmer was hired to lead Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority - HART - which will spend much of the new tax money.
Dunedin widow faces financial ruin due to botched handling of veteran husband's death in Puerto Rico
FOX 13 discovered a problem that is freezing bank accounts and holding up benefits for grieving families in Florida and across the nation.
Florida has high hopes for hemp, but scientists warn state may get burned
While state leaders promote hemp as Florida's next big cash crop, scientists are still trying to figure out the best varieties and conditions to grow it in Florida. They stress much more work needs to be done in testing facilities before they can relay the best techniques and skills to would-be farmers.
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.