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.
Devil Rays' 1998 debut: The Fans
After years of waiting, baseball fans in the Tampa Bay area have a team of their own. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays took the field for the first time, delighting fans of all ages. Originally reported March 31, 1998 by FOX 13's Kelly Ring.
Devil Rays' 1998 debut: Full wrapup
A look back at the first Opening Day in the history of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Originally reported in the 10pm newscast on March 31, 1998 by FOX 13's Jennifer Jones.
From 1988: Pinellas Park High School shooting
On February 11, 1988, two teens brought stolen guns to Pinellas Park High School. During a struggle for one of the weapons, two people were wounded and Assistant Principal Richard Allen was killed. In this report from the days after the shooting, WTVT's Lloyd Sowers profiles Allen.
From 1984: First Florida shuttle landing
WTVT's Mark Gould was at Kennedy Space Center when space shuttle Challenger made the program's first-ever landing in Florida. Originally reported February 11, 1984.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge turns 30 years old
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has become such a landmark symbol for the Tampa Bay Area that it's hard to imagine anything other than those giant yellow cables linking the bay. But 30 years ago, engineers were trying to reassure a jittery public about a brand-new bridge that had been born out of tragedy.
From 1987: Inside the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
WTVT reports ahead of the opening of the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge, taking a look at the innovations and security features. Originally aired February 2, 1987.
From 1987: New Sunshine Skyway Bridge dedicated
WTVT reports from the dedication of the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge across the mouth of Tampa Bay. Originally aired February 7, 1987.