Kellie Cowan
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Tampa, FL, United States
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Recent articles by Kellie:
Dazzling tourism data might reveal a less than sunny side of life in the Bay Area
The pandemic hit the tourism industry especially hard, but the Bay Area has more than rebounded. → Read More
Whale shark sighting off Sarasota coast not completely unusual, experts say
Two Tampa Bay boaters spotted a whale shark on Sunday while fishing about 26 miles off the coast of Sarasota. → Read More
Alligator attack suspected after man's body found in Largo pond
Largo police believe a man whose body was found in Taylor Lake Tuesday morning was attacked by an alligator. → Read More
'A complete nightmare': Tampa cigar shop plagued by fake Google reviews
A popular Tampa cigar bar has quickly become a fan favorite since it opened for business last year. But, a recent onslaught of negative reviews were able to drop her business' Google rating within 48 hours. Tech experts said negative fake reviews are a rising trend. → Read More
Florida legislature passes condo safety measure that regulates aging structure inspections
In Surfside, investigators found Champlain Towers' condo board was aware that the building had major issues but had delayed repairs for years because they weren't maintaining the reserve funds to pay for them. Though inspectors estimated the building needed some $16 million in repairs, Champlain Towers had just $770,000 in its reserves. → Read More
'They are going to go to prison': DeSantis signs bill cracking down on dangerous drug dealers
The new law increases sentences for drug dealers caught selling fentanyl or methamphetamine. It gives prosecutors the ability to charge dealers with first-degree murder if methamphetamine leads to an overdose death. As a capital crime, dealers could face life in prison or even the death penalty. → Read More
TPA passengers continue without masks as DOJ appeals mask mandate ruling by federal judge
Passengers have been riding and flying without a mask after a federal judge in Tampa struck down the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's mask mandate for public transportation on Monday. Two days later, the Department of Justice appealed the decision, leaving many to wonder if the mask order would come back. → Read More
Hillsborough commissioners vote to add transportation sales tax to November ballot
While commissioners approved the measure, it’ll ultimately be up to voters this Fall to decide whether to give a 1-cent sales tax increase the green light. The tax would be used to fund two decades worth of road, transportation and infrastructure projects. → Read More
Legal experts expect challenges to newly signed 15-week abortion ban in Florida
Florida’s law is modeled after a Mississippi law that also bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The Mississippi law is currently being considered by the US Supreme Court, and its decision could potentially dismantle or even completely overturn nearly half a century of legal precedent. → Read More
You can stay at this 'Friends' themed Airbnb in Tampa, and the attention to detail is amazing
This Friends-themed Airbnb in Tampa will make you feel like you've walked right onto the set of the hit TV show. From Monica's bright blue kitchen to Joey and Chandler's foosball table, there are plenty of details and Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans to appreciate! → Read More
New historic marker on Riverwalk will shine light on lynching victim, Tampa's dark past
Robert Johnson wasn’t famous in his day and his image is lost to time. Yet nearly 90 years after his body was found on the banks of the Hillsborough river, his name will be added alongside those of prominent city leaders memorialized along the Riverwalk. → Read More
10-year-old softball player's letter to Tampa Mayor helps level playing field for girls across Tampa
A 10-year-old softball player is helping to level the playing field for girls' sports across Tampa. → Read More
Ukrainian family fleeing homeland arrives in Tampa after local family offers safe space to stay
A Ukrainian refugee family is getting settled into the Bay Area thanks to the kindness of complete strangers. Anthony and Roaya Tyson -- who live in Tampa -- say they don’t have any ties to Ukraine, but felt compelled to help refugees fleeing the country. → Read More
'Honored and humbled': Mary O'Connor to be sworn in as Tampa police chief
Mary O’Connor will officially be sworn in as Tampa’s 43rd Chief of Police at a special ceremony Friday. → Read More
Tampa city council to vote as police chief nominee faces tough confirmation battle
Recently-appointed Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor will appear before City Council today for what’s expected to be a heated confirmation hearing. → Read More
USF forensic researchers rediscover 45 lost cemeteries in Hillsborough County
USF forensic scientist Dr. Erin Kimmerle says she spent the last two years combing through historic records to track down the long-forgotten sites. The cemeteries became abandoned for a variety of reasons but once lost from official records and built over, they are extremely difficult to relocate. → Read More
Pedestrian safety among major improvements along Florida Ave.
Business in Seminole Heights has exploded in recent years as new breweries, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and retail flock to Florida Avenue. What hasn’t kept up with the rapid renaissance, however, are the road improvements needed to let pedestrians actually explore everything safely. → Read More
Hillsborough County Schools want voters to decide on property tax increase to fund education
While the cost of just about everything has gone up the state's school funding allocations haven't, which Hillsborough district officials say has caused an annual budget crisis. Soon, the Hillsborough School District may be asking voters to keep it funded. → Read More
Tampa helps stabilize neighborhoods, housing costs with home repair assistance program
With housing and rent prices skyrocketing across the Tampa Bay area, many residents are feeling squeezed out of the market. Long time homeowners in some of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods are under pressure to sell, especially when repair and maintenance costs start to seem insurmountable. → Read More
Doctors caution: Accuracy of rapid COVID tests can be much lower than PCR
If you can find a COVID-19 test and can afford to wait for results, doctors agree PCR tests are the most accurate. At-home tests are less accurate, but can work in many cases. However, if you have symptoms but can't get a test, doctors say to assume you have the omicron variant. → Read More