WASTING AWAY

A Tampa Bay Times investigation

Part 1: THE DIE-OFF

Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.

Part 2: PROTECTING POLLUTERS

Florida lets big companies pollute with impunity. Waterways suffer.

About the reporters
Zachary T. Sampson - Investigative Reporter
Zachary T. Sampson

is an investigative reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Bethany Barnes - Deputy Investigative Editor
Bethany Barnes

is the deputy investigative editor at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Shreya Vuttaluru - Data Reporter
Shreya Vuttaluru

is a data reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

The team
  • REPORTERS: Zachary T. Sampson, Bethany Barnes and Shreya Vuttaluru
  • EDITORS: Rebecca Woolington and Mark Katches
  • PHOTOGRAPHERS: Douglas R. Clifford, Luis Santana and Dirk Shadd
  • PHOTO EDITOR: Chris Urso
  • DATA EDITOR: Langston Taylor
  • GRAPHICS: Aya Diab and Lisa Merklin
  • PRINT DESIGN: Lisa Merklin
  • DIGITAL DESIGN: Justinian Hatfield, Eric Pierpont and Michael Hyer
  • COPY EDITOR:Traci Johnson
  • ENGAGEMENT: Kelsey Harrell, Hannah Farrow, Neha Seenarine, Meaghan Habuda and Jenna Duncan
  • VIDEO: Aya Diab
  • LEGAL: Linda Norbut and Carol LoCicero
  • PROJECT MANAGER: Rebecca Woolington