Latest news with #Fox13TampaBay
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Head-turning footage captures next-gen flying machine as it takes to the skies: 'The first step toward 'The Jetsons''
A company named Pivotal demonstrated its electric flying car during Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Florida. As Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported, Pivotal created an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eVTOL has a one-person capacity, lifts off like a helicopter, and cruises like an airplane. Interestingly, you don't need a pilot's license to operate the eVTOL because it falls into the ultralight aircraft category. After 13 years of development and numerous testing phases, the eVTOL design operates smoothly, efficiently, and quietly in the air. "It really is the first step toward 'The Jetsons,'" said Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin. This electric flying vehicle is a significant development because it provides a new option for clean energy transportation. Meanwhile, other innovative companies are creating next-gen airplanes that are powered by hydrogen and solar energy to reduce pollution in our skies. Futuristic aircraft designs are changing the way we think about air travel, and flying cars are a significant part of this sustainability shift. Although widespread public adoption of eVTOLs is likely still a ways off, it could offer many of the same benefits as electric vehicles on our roads. Compared to a traditional aircraft, an eVTOL could help owners save money on routine maintenance and low power costs while operating a quiet vehicle with no tailpipe pollution. Karklin said the civilian version of the eVTOL costs about $190,000. Meanwhile, the company is pursuing opportunities in the defense and public safety sectors to address security concerns and emergency rescue needs. Future eVTOL owners could potentially save even more money by installing solar panels to charge their flying vehicles. Charging vehicles at home is cheaper than using public charging stations and more sustainable than relying on the grid. Flying vehicle owners can compare solar quotes through EnergySage to find the best installation deals from trusted local professionals. Pivotal is launching a production version of the eVTOL in December and plans to be operational in two sites by the end of the year. Would you trust a self-driving car to take you to work every day? For sure Maybe someday I'm not sure Never in a million years Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Newsweek
17-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Cat Escapes Vet, Then Days Later Returns Home Three Miles Away
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A freshly neutered Florida feline named George returned to his home after escaping from a veterinarian appointment and walked nearly 3 miles back to his house over the course of a few days. Newsweek has reached out to SPCA Florida for more information via email on Saturday during non-working hours. The Context Cats are touted by some as excellent pets due to their self-reliance, able to eat, hunt and use the bathroom on their own. George, despite being on anesthesia, still had the directional sense to return to his owner and his home miles away. Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behaviorist, told local news station Fox 13 Tampa Bay that "cats evolved to naturally find their way back. We think it's a combination of scent, visual markers, and possibly geo-magnetism." What to Know George was still feeling the effects of his sedation medication when he escaped from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Florida, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported on Thursday. The feline's owner, Bob Beasock, told the station that George managed to break out of a cage, scale a fence, and run into the woods before making the 3-mile trek home. "He had to go through two or three subdivisions, around a couple of lakes, and cross five or six roads," Beasock said. "If I had been stuck there, I would've called an Uber. But George didn't have that option." Beasock added that George "was able to pop that cage open and he sprung out of there and he was gone in seconds." The cat's owner said the employees tried to give chase but weren't able to catch up to George. Randa Richter, Humane Programs & Public Media Director of SPCA Florida, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that the cat quickly outran the employees. "Our staff were literally hoisting each other up over the fences to try to chase George to try to capture him," Richter recalled. The daring escape made even more impressive by what he was on. "He still had silly drugs in his system," Richter added. Stock image. An orange and white cat is seen in Casper, Wyoming, on May 20, 2021. Stock image. An orange and white cat is seen in Casper, Wyoming, on May 20, 2021. What People Are Saying Bob Beasock told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "I was distraught and heartbroken. He needed a human touch—and that's what he got." Randa Richter, Humane Programs & Public Media Director of SPCA Florida, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "George was able to bust out of the trap and he literally scaled some dog fencing and went into the woods." Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behaviorist, told Fox 13 Tampa Bay: "Contrary to popular belief, cats are very attached to us. They will want to find their way back home." What Happens Next? After a big adventure, George is safe at home and recovering from his procedure. It is unknown if the cat suffered any medical complications during his escape.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia Appears to Faint During News Conference and Is Saved by Surgeon General: 'We've Got You'
"Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia told Gov. Ron DeSantis, per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia appeared to faint as she spoke during a news conference hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, May 6 "Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' Garcia told Gov. Ron DeSantis, per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Bay She returned to continue her speech after briefly sitting down, telling the crowd, 'Are you kidding? This was my moment... I could not" Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia appeared to faint as she spoke during a news conference in Miami hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. On Tuesday, May 6, Garcia — a republican who serves District 36 in southern Florida — joined politicians to discuss the state wanting to ban "local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water," per an X post shared by DeSantis. As Garcia was speaking on the stage, she turned to DeSantis and said, "Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Bay. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, 46, was nearby and rushed to Garcia's aid after her eyes closed and she looked unsteady on her feet. 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, we've got you, we've got you, we've got you,' he repeatedly said while holding on to her. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky Florida Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, helps Sen. Ileana Garcia as she appears to faint during news conference Others rallied around Garcia, making sure she was okay and had water to drink, per the clip. She then returned to the stage shortly afterward and made light of the incident. 'Are you kidding? This was my moment... I could not,' she said in the Fox 13 Tampa Bay video. Related: Florida Surgeon General Appointed by Ron DeSantis Goes Against Science amid Florida Measles Outbreak 'Nerve-wracking, but this was my moment. And I so appreciate your grace, Governor DeSantis," the senator continued in a video posted by DeSantis on Facebook. 'Guys, can we just give another round of applause to Ileana Garcia,' Miami Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez insisted as he took to the stage after Garcia. 'Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida,' he told the crowd. PEOPLE has reached out to Garcia's office for a comment but did not immediately hear back. Colin Hackley for The Washington Post via Getty Sen. Ileana Garcia Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Per local station WJXT, during Tuesday's news conference Gov. DeSantis said that he will sign a bill that "effectively bans the use of fluoride in Florida's water supply." Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Dr. Joseph Ladapo 'It's forced medication when they are jamming medication into your water supply,' the politician said while acknowledging that the chemical compound can help with dental health, the outlet noted. 'We have other ways where people can get access to fluoride. When you do this in the water supply, you are taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride,' DeSantis added, as noted by the outlet. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tesla store reclaims Cybertruck after 5-day ‘test drive'
A Florida man is accused of absconding with a Tesla Cybertruck during what was supposed to be a 30-minute test drive. But a Tesla salesperson turned the tables on the suspect, finding the truck five days later with geolocation technology and driving it back to the store. The man was arrested when he returned to the store in search of items he had left in the truck, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported. Dexter Smithen was charged with grand theft of more than $100,000, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Smithen, 51, went to a Tesla store in Tampa on March 26 and asked to test drive a Cyberbeast, the six-figure, top-end version of the Cybertruck pickup. He signed an agreement to return within half an hour and gave the store a driver's license with his photo on it, police told Fox 13. When he failed to return, the store tried calling and emailing Smithen, but the phone number was disconnected. Sign up to get the Automotive News Service & Parts weekly newsletter covering the world of dealership parts, service and collision departments. A salesperson told deputies he was able to geolocate the truck March 31 and found Smithen driving it to a Home Depot. The salesperson took video of Smithen and waited for him to enter the building, then drove the truck back to the Tesla store and called the sheriff's department. The next afternoon, Smithen went back to the Tesla store, where he was arrested. He reportedly told deputies that he was trying to recover items he had left in the Cybertruck when the store repossessed it. The arresting officers said they found Smithen carrying credit cards and driver's licenses in the names of five different people. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Florida Car Salesman Accused Of Washing Titles
Read the full story on The Auto Wire A Florid man was just hit with 21 criminal charges after authorities accused him of washing car titles. What's even more shocking is the same man was arrested in January and hit with 12 charges, also for washing car titles. But wait, there's man, 40-year-old Ahmed Njie, is a used car salesman. In other words, his victims weren't just buying vehicles from a random private party. If you thought you only had to worry about this kind of thing when not shopping at a dealership, think again. According to a report from Fox13 Tampa Bay, authorities believe Njie is part of a large criminal organization that's moving stolen cars, passing them off as legitimate and fooling shoppers. Authorities have been investigating Njie for about a year. He's now being held without a bond. Title washing is when someone changes the VIN on a car, then getting the vehicle re-titled so it has a fresh title with that fraudulent VIN. Oftentimes, they'll use a VIN from the same make, model, even paint color of a ride that's been totaled and is no longer on the road. With car theft rates still high, your chances of buying a stolen ride with a washed title is higher than most people would guess. When most people learn about this type of crime, they assume buying from a dealership will protect them. Sadly, it doesn't always go that way. While in this case we have a dealership employee who's accused of washing titles, sometimes dealers are victims of these crimes. We've seen dealerships buy stolen cars, not detect the title is a forgery, then resell the vehicle to a customer, who month or years later learns the horrible truth. One surefire way to guard against title washing scams is to check the VIN for a car on a location other than the dash or driver's door jamb. Different vehicles have those VINs stamped or etched into different locations, like on the engine block or frame. Scammers can't or won't change those VINs because they're harder to reach. Image via Fox 13 Tampa Bay/YouTube Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
