Special reports

DEADLY DOSE

Part 1: Hundreds died using kratom in Florida. It was touted as safe.

As companies sell increasingly potent products, a Tampa Bay Times investigation reveals the herb's toll.

Part 2: As dangerous kratom products go unregulated, lobbyists write the laws

As companies sell increasingly potent products, a Tampa Bay Times investigation reveals the herb's toll.

Part 3: Kratom’s path across the US is marked by deception and secrets

A Tampa Bay Times investigation reveals a popular kratom brand’s supply chain, from Indonesia to Florida.

POISONED

Part 3: The fallout

Gopher Resource promised changes at Tampa's old lead factory. It kept polluting.

Part 1: Hundreds of workers are exposed to poisons inside Florida’s only lead factory

At Gopher Resource in Tampa, workers recycle 50,000 used car batteries a day. Their safety equipment doesn’t always protect them, an 18-month Tampa Bay Times investigation found.

Part 2: Federal regulators have been missing in action at Florida’s only lead factory

OSHA inspectors haven’t been inside Gopher Resource in five years, even as mechanical breakdowns plagued the Tampa plant and made conditions worse for workers.

UNPROTECTED

Part 1: Lesson learned?

Tampa teens reported a teacher’s sexual comments. Then a student’s life was upended.

Part 2: 'Students shouldn't be scared'

Tampa teens wanted their school to protect them. Instead, they say, it got worse.

Tampa police called for hundreds to be evicted. Entire families lost their homes.

Officers sent notices to landlords detailing arrests and encounters with their tenants that put families at risk of eviction even when charges were later dropped.

TARGETED

Pasco’s sheriff created a futuristic program to stop crime before it happens. It monitors and harasses families across the county.

Pasco’s sheriff uses grades and abuse histories to label schoolchildren potential criminals. The kids and their parents don’t know.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco built a controversial approach to policing. He also built a wide circle of powerful friends who don’t question his tactics.

This major armored truck company took dangerous shortcuts. Mayhem followed.

From its headquarters in Boca Raton, GardaWorld has put unsafe trucks on the road, and its workers and unsuspecting motorists have suffered the consequences.

Big banks entrusted money to GardaWorld. It secretly lost track of millions.

Federal agency knew Garda was “really bad” at safety. It took little action.

Buying up the Bay: A Tampa Bay Times special report

March 6• Investigations & Narratives

In St. Petersburg, homeless people get an apartment, support – and a fresh start

Yesterday• St. Petersburg

It’s official: Andrew Warren is running. Now, does he have a chance?

April 21• Politics

Tampa Bay veterans grapple with uncertainty over access to delta-8 hemp products

April 19• Health

How did coronavirus overwhelm this nursing home so quickly?

Dec. 3, 2020• Long Reads

An energy efficiency finance program is trapping Florida homeowners in debt

Sept. 10, 2020• Investigations

How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years

Oct. 20, 2019• Investigations

You’re trapped. This Florida hospital is cashing in.

Sept. 18, 2019• Investigations

LATEST

Judge questions if Pasco deputies have stopped controversial policing tactics
April 3• Pasco
The sheriff’s office has said it phased out its “prolific offender” program, which plaintiffs argue resulted in their being monitored and harassed by deputies.
Florida lawmaker pushes for congressional hearing on kratom
Feb. 28• Investigations
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor wants experts and the FDA to testify about the herb after a Tampa Bay Times investigation.
This private equity firm built a Tampa Bay rental empire
Feb. 14• Real Estate
As Progress Residential has grown, some tenants accuse the company of putting profits over people.
Deadly Dose: A Tampa Bay Times investigation on kratom
Jan. 19• Investigations

5 ways to make the kratom marketplace safer
Dec. 30, 2023• Investigations
Researchers detail how lawmakers and regulators could establish key guardrails for selling and using the herb.
Kratom investigation by Tampa Bay Times stirs up action and reaction
Dec. 28, 2023• Investigations
The series serves as testament to the value of strong, independent investigative journalism.
A major US kratom brand relies on a maze of companies. Here’s the list
Dec. 19, 2023• Investigations
Two dozen companies and trade names are connected to O.P.M.S. Many are cloaked in secrecy.
Kratom’s path across the US is marked by deception and secrets
Dec. 17, 2023• Investigations
A Tampa Bay Times investigation reveals a popular kratom brand’s supply chain, from Indonesia to Florida.

As dangerous kratom products go unregulated, lobbyists write the laws
Dec. 13, 2023• Investigations
While officials grapple with a “wild west” marketplace, industry-friendly regulations are popping up in Florida and nationwide.
The Tampa Bay Times tested 20 kratom products. Here’s what we found.
Dec. 9, 2023• Investigations
Researchers analyzed powders, pills, capsules and liquid shots. A scientist compared one to “legal morphine.”