Firstcoastnews.com Special Reports

Species, Part 1: Wild hogs cause crop damage

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:50 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Wild hogs are not new to Florida but they're also not native. They may have been introduced by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as the 1500s.

Species, Part 2: Lionfish eat native fish

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:54:34 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- From coyotes to feral hogs to nutria, there are all kinds of non-native invasive species on the First Coast, but of the fiercest predators is one you don't see on land ... lionfish.

'Rocket docket' clearing out old foreclosure cases

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:56:28 GMT

Foreclosure courts are in full swing across the state including Duval County which has 2,700 cases that date back prior to 2010.

Former 'Meth Mom' shares her story

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:56:39 GMT

Meth has been around since the 1970s, but it's only in the last few years that it's become a pop culture staple. There are hit TV shows, websites and slick Public Service Announcements. But First Coast resident Amy Cline learned about meth the old-fashioned way.

Disaster training becoming big business

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:48:51 GMT

PERRY, Ga. -- After nearly three decades of working with Bell South, Geoff Burkart was ready to do his own thing.

'Curiosity' prompts JSO officers to probe personal records

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:10:18 GMT

Candice Buckner had her name splashed across the headlines last August when she was one of six Jacksonville firefighters punished for a risque fundraiser at the Whisky River bar.

Bariatric surgery fans -- and critics -- weigh in on the obesity debate

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:59:57 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Regena Carey has struggled with obesity for four decades. Today, Carey is among the more than 500,000 people worldwide who turned to gastric banding surgery for help.

Chasing the 'Putnam County Poacher' leads to unlikely friendship

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:12:41 GMT

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Friendships often begin in unlikely places and situations. Those unique circumstances give the friends something to bond them for life.

When buying a used car, 'as is' means 'as is'

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:26:04 GMT

Protests, police reports, surveillance video. You would think we're talking about an action movie ... but really, it's just buying a used car in Florida.

Gluten-free menus: Are they really gluten-free?

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:24:43 GMT

Many restaurants now advertise gluten-free menus. But are they really gluten-free? We put three popular chain restaurants to the test using EZ Gluten test strips and we took along local gluten-free blogger Jennifer Gornto to help us.

People with active warrants serving jury duty

Thu, 02 May 2013 23:22:04 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Duval County judges have likely heard every excuse in the book when it comes to getting out of jury duty.

Local family says they lived health care nightmare

Thu, 02 May 2013 23:19:56 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The images, accusations, and police reports filed against Universal Health Services facilities across the state are stunning. And one family in Jacksonville said they lived it.

From Lem Turner to Lew Turner

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:52:02 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- If you want something named after you, like a building, or a street, typically you have to be really rich to make a really big donation or you made a big impact on your community.

Flagler Estates is tucked away in growing St. Johns County

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:30:46 GMT

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- St. Johns County is having another growth spurt. It leads the First Coast with the number building permits.

Fighting sex offenders with Pocket Parks

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:03:02 GMT

So-called Pocket Parks are the latest tool used to keep sex offenders at bay. "It could be one swing," said Maria Kayanan, associate legal director of the of the ACLU of Florida. "It could be one rocking horse."

First Coast gun, ammo and carry-conceal permits skyrocket

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:52:04 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Since the Sandy Hook school shooting, gun sales across the First Coast have jumped with people not only buying guns, but also ammunition and applying for carry-conceal permits.

One doctor's medical nightmare inspires book

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:27:52 GMT

She had a system, one carefully calculated to feed her addiction. As a surgical technologist, Kristen Parker helped set up the operating room and organize supplies and equipment in the operating room.

Maker of world-class guitars calls St. Augustine home

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:20:29 GMT

Paul Berger is a member of an elite fraternity of luthiers, or guitar builders, who build world-class acoustic guitars.

Food stamp scam ensnares man twice

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:24:01 GMT

Stephen Taylor never thought he'd need to ask for help. But late last year, he finally broke down and got a food stamp debit card.

Josh's story: A second chance

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:33:08 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local father and son have a cautionary tale for teens regarding the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Josh Brantner was an all-star athlete with a bright future, until one moment changed his life forever.