Tampa Bay and Sarasota's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Tampa Bay and Sarasota, FL | WTSP.com

Health

Yes, some black plastics in kitchen utensils, toys are made from recycled electronics

Health

No, taking vitamin C at the first sign of illness won’t help fight a cold

Studies have shown loading up on vitamin C doesn’t prevent illness for most people. We VERIFY the real effects of the popular supplement.
Extreme Weather

No, a ‘1,000-year storm’ doesn’t mean it only happens once every 1,000 years

Meteorologists aren’t referring to the last time a storm of this magnitude happened when they say “100-year” or “1,000-year storm.” We VERIFY what the term means.
Extreme Weather

No, there is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane

While some people theorized Hurricane Milton might reach Category 6, no such rating exists. The hurricane Saffir-Simpson scale only goes up to Category 5.
Science

Yes, Earth is getting a temporary 'mini-moon'

Is Earth getting a second moon and will it be visible? We VERIFY claims about an asteroid temporarily orbiting our planet.
Weather

Blue skies, leaf colors and pumpkin spice: 4 Fast Facts about fall

Fall is in the air and the VERIFY team is answering four questions about autumn.
Weather

No, heat lightning isn’t real

“Heat lightning” isn’t any different from ordinary strikes or flashes of lightning.
Environment

No, the Yellowstone supervolcano is not erupting

A hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin led some to believe a massive volcano beneath Yellowstone National Park is set to erupt. Here’s why that’s false.
Environment

No, daddy-long-legs are not one of the most venomous spiders

For decades, people have spread the rumor that daddy-long-legs are the most venomous spider. But the spiders’ venom isn’t strong enough to hurt people.
Science

VERIFYING the authenticity of a viral firework injury X-ray meme that circulates each 4th of July

Every Independence Day, a viral photo apparently showing hand X-rays after firework injuries is shared as a warning. We traced the origin of each X-ray photo.
Food

No, the artificial vanilla flavoring you buy at the store doesn't come from beaver glands

While it’s possible to use beaver gland secretions to make vanilla flavoring, it's an expensive process and not what you'll find in the grocery store.
Environment

Giant flying venomous spiders invading the East Coast? There’s no need to panic

Have you seen headlines about flying, venomous Joro spiders invading the East Coast this summer? Here’s why you shouldn’t worry.

One arrest made after two separate, deadly shootings in St. Petersburg

6 people displaced after fire damages Winter Haven home

10 Weather: Fall feel Friday with breezy sunshine

Homeowners struggle with home insurance claims following back-to-back hurricanes

Tampa Bay and Sarasota's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Tampa Bay and Sarasota, FL | WTSP.com

Yes, some black plastics in kitchen utensils, toys are made from recycled electronics

No, taking vitamin C at the first sign of illness won’t help fight a cold

No, a ‘1,000-year storm’ doesn’t mean it only happens once every 1,000 years

No, there is no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane

Yes, Earth is getting a temporary 'mini-moon'

Blue skies, leaf colors and pumpkin spice: 4 Fast Facts about fall

No, heat lightning isn’t real

No, the Yellowstone supervolcano is not erupting

No, daddy-long-legs are not one of the most venomous spiders

VERIFYING the authenticity of a viral firework injury X-ray meme that circulates each 4th of July

No, the artificial vanilla flavoring you buy at the store doesn't come from beaver glands

Giant flying venomous spiders invading the East Coast? There’s no need to panic

Before You Leave, Check This Out

WTSP would like to send you push notifications about the latest news and weather.