For a truly spooky Halloween costume, dress up as a nosy reporter. Scares the dickens out of some folks. ...more

October 24, 2009

More than 120 animals that were kept in deplorable conditions in Lakeland are being treated and cleaned by Polk County Animal Control veterinarians. ...more

November 23, 2008

How would you like to find a 3-inch-long hissing cockroach in your home? Researchers at the University of Florida are betting you won't but are worried you may step on one sooner than later. Scientists Phil Koehler and Roberto Pereira said a growing interest in raising roaches for pet reptile food may import invasive species of roaches into a state that already has its share of the insect. ...more

October 9, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG For a few minutes Thursday morning, it was hard to spot Budd Risser's red 4-by-8-foot sign along busy Fourth Street North, just south of 22nd Avenue. ...more

May 23, 2008

YEAR OF BACON: Few people know this, but the pig we know and love today came to North America through Tampa Bay. Yes, we have Hernando DeSoto to thank for dragging his porkers across the Atlantic so we could enjoy the crispy goodness of Porky with our breakfasts, BLTs and spinach salads. ...more

January 15, 2008

This was a bug you couldn't swat and definitely couldn't step on. British scientists have stumbled across a fossilized claw, part of an ancient sea scorpion, that is of such large proportion it would make the entire creature the biggest bug ever. ...more

November 21, 2007

In my house, my children know they will receive a harsher punishment for a lie used to cover up a misdeed than for the offense itself. ...more

September 23, 2007