Advertisement
Zachary T. Sampson

Investigative Reporter

I work on the investigative team, reporting stories to identify and fix problems or hold powerful people to account. I came to Florida in 2014 by way of Boston. I grew up in Rhode Island, a diehard Yankees fan deep in the heart of enemy bleachers. Talking about baseball is still a quick way to my heart. In Tampa Bay, I've covered breaking news, public safety, general assignment, hurricanes and the environment. Have a story? Something you think more people should know about? Let's talk.

  1. Mystery surrounds Clearwater plane crash that killed 3
    Feb. 2• Breaking News
  2. Small plane crashes into Clearwater mobile home park, ‘several fatalities’ reported
    Feb. 2• Breaking News
  3. Hurricane Idalia spilled Sunset Beach’s sand through the streets
    Aug. 31, 2023• Hurricane
  5. In Pinellas beach towns, Idalia brings another soggy cleanup
    Aug. 31, 2023• Hurricane
  6. In Cedar Key, Hurricane Idalia’s raging surge took over a tiny town
    Aug. 30, 2023• Hurricane
  7. Idalia pummels Florida’s Big Bend: ‘I’ve never seen the water so high’
    Aug. 30, 2023• Hurricane
  8. Motorcyclist killed in Pasco County crash
    Jan. 16, 2023• Breaking News
  9. The worst of Hurricane Ian missed Tampa Bay. What if it hadn’t?
    Dec. 18, 2022• Hurricane
  10. EPA may restrict rat poisons like those found in Safety Harbor owls
    Dec. 1, 2022• Environment
  11. Poisons killed beloved owls in Tampa Bay. Can their defenders save others?
    Nov. 22, 2022• News
  12. Think you have a rodent problem, Tampa Bay? Here’s what to do.
    Nov. 22, 2022• Investigations
  13. Hurricane Ian: Behind the scenes of search and rescue on Fort Myers Beach
    Oct. 11, 2022• Hurricane
  14. In an evacuation zone? Hurricane Ian showed Florida why we’re told to leave
    Oct. 8, 2022• Hurricane
  15. Mitch Pacyna lived the Florida dream. Then Hurricane Ian took him.
    Oct. 8, 2022• Hurricane
  16. As Joe Biden speaks next door, a Fort Myers Beach man wonders what’s next
    Oct. 7, 2022• Hurricane
  17. They rode out Ian on shrimping boats. Now they fear their livelihood is destroyed
    Oct. 1, 2022• Hurricane
  18. Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic toll includes at least 17 dead
    Sept. 30, 2022• Hurricane
  19. ‘I’m hoping he shows up’: Pine Island community grapples with Ian’s aftermath
    Sept. 30, 2022• Hurricane
  20. ‘Devastación absoluta’: el huracán Ian castiga Fort Myers Beach
    Sept. 29, 2022• CENTRO
  21. ‘Absolute devastation’: Hurricane Ian decimates Fort Myers Beach
    Sept. 29, 2022• Hurricane
  22. Sección del puente a Sanibel Causeway arrasada por el huracán Ian
    Sept. 29, 2022• CENTRO
  23. Section of Sanibel Causeway wiped out by Hurricane Ian
    Sept. 29, 2022• Hurricane
  24. At a Fort Myers hotel, evacuees brace for Hurricane Ian
    Sept. 28, 2022• Hurricane