WFLA Sweeps - Special Reports

Reporter's Notes
This week at 11:00pm...

Monday: Target 8: True Teen Babes Update

Tuesday: Target 8: Cracked Reservoir Update

Wednesday: Websites That Make You Money

Thursday: How You Could Be Wasting Gas Without Knowing It

Friday: no special report

(Reports subject to change)

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Problem Solver: Flat Fee Realtor
(airdate: 6/25/08)
A realtor promised to sell her home for a flat fee and to give her a refund if it didn’t sell. Neither happened. All she wanted was what she was promised. That’s when 8 On Your Side started asking questions. Stacie Schaible has the answers in an 8 On Your Side Problem Solver.

Financial Stress
(airdate: 6/24/08)
Is worrying about finances making you sick? In this tough economy, more people than ever are stressed out. But there’s a place you can get help. Irene Maher shows you where to get financial and emotional support in the same place.

Ditch the Gas Guzzler?
(airdate: 6/23/08)
Thinking about getting rid of your gas-guzzling suv? Not so fast! That deal could cost you even more money down the road. 8 on your side shows you how to keep from going broke with your suv.

Ethanol & Older Cars
(airdate: 6/20/08)
There’s a new problem for older cars; problems like hesitation, miss fires and the car being hard to start. And those problems may begin right at the gas pump. The damage blended fuels, like ethanol, can do to your older car and how to minimize it.

Files Up For Bid
(airdate: 6/19/08)
Files packed with copies of birth certificates, passports, even social security numbers. And they all landed on a local auction block, sold to the highest bidder. How could so much personal information end up being sold to strangers? 8 On Your Side digs for answers.

Driver Distractions
(airdate: 6/18/08)
They see it all: drivers talking on cell phones, dancing in the car, even picking their nose. It’s a roadside experiment exposing driver distractions. And it’s being conducted by high school students. See how their endeavor is helping teens become safer drivers.

Saving by Gardening
(airdate: 6/17/08)
Saving money growing your own food! Backyard gardens are popping up everywhere. Peppers… Tomatoes… Corn! 8 On Your Side show's you the right foods to grow in Florida so you can start saving money, too!

Gas-saving Tips
(airdate: 6/16/08)
Gas prices keep rising, but there are plenty of things you can do to your car right now to reduce what you spend at the pump. 8 on your side shows you simple ways to improve your mileage and save money every time you drive.

Boats & Ethanol
(airdate: 6/13/08)
With today’s gas in your boat’s engine, you may find it’s not going to run properly. It could even ruin the engine. What boat owners need to know before they fill up and head out on the water.

Sharks
(airdate: 6/13/08)
Summertime means sharks. Lots of sharks. Now, a team of bay area scientsts is taking flight to unravel the mysteries surrounding these awesome predators. See what they’ve found.

Block Homes
(airdate: 6/11/08)
It’s no secret… in a hurricane, block homes fair better than wood-frame houses. But block homes are expensive, right? Not necessarily. See how a single mom is upgrading her peace of mind without blowing her budget.

Pawning
(airdate: 6/10/08)
With mortgages foreclosing and gas prices soaring, lots of people just trying to get by are looking for new ways to get money. 8 on your side shows how some people are cashing in.

Property Tax Recapture
(airdate: 6/9/08)
Cheaper property taxes! Bay area voters said yes to it, But now a little know state rule may prevent you from saving as much as you expected! 8 On Your Side shows you why your taxes may not be dropping as much as you expect.

Citizen Patrols
(airdate: 6/6/08)
They patrol the neighborhood, working to keep people safe. But they’re not deputies, they’re volunteers. Meet the volunteers of the Citizens Patrol Program and see how they’re making their own neighborhoods safer.

Getting Accepted
(airdate: 6/5/08)
Lots of high school grads are getting turned away by florida’s best colleges. These days good grades simply aren’t enough. Getting into florida’s top schools is harder than ever before, but 8 on your side will show you how kids can help themeselves.

Scooter Safety
(airdate: 6/4/08)
High gas prices are meaning more motorcycles and scooters on the road. And more accidents. A lot of those new riders are hitting the road without the proper safety equipment, or the proper training. A warning for drivers… and what you need to know before you trade your four wheels for two.

Problem Solver: Property Tax Problem
(airdate: 6/3/08)
When a local dad lost his job and couldn’t pay his family’s property taxes, They called 8 On Your Side. If you’re having trouble paying your taxes, Stacie Schaible shows you how the system works so you can keep your home.

Food Share
(airdate: 6/2/08)
The price of groceries is getting out of control. But there is a way to save money on food and help people in need at the same time. Stacie Schaible shows you how to cut your grocery bill almost in half while supporting a good cause.

Hurricane First-Aid
(airdate: 5/30/08)
Bottled Water. Canned food. Batteries. They’re the first things to go into your hurricane kit. But there are many crucial items that people overlook. Items that are important to your health. Storm Team 8 has the list.

Hurricane Preparation For Large Animals
(airdate: 5/29/08)
When hurricanes hit, house pets can suffer, but imagine trying to deal with the really big animals. Securing their shelter…storing the right supplies…every pet owner deals with such things when storms threaten, but we’ll show you what it takes to keep the big guys safe.

Building To Withstand A Hurricane
(airdate: 5/28/08)
Beachfront development… the benefits are plenty, but so are the risks. See what builders are doing to make their projects strong enough to withstand a hurricane. So strong that an environmental group built on the shore - potentially in harm’s way – utilizing these new techniques. Find out how to reduce your hurricane risks…tonight at 11.

Hurricane Evacuation
(airdate: 5/27/08)
Construction. Closed Lanes. Clogged roads. We know Bay area traffic stinks already! So what will happen if we need to evacuate for a hurricane? We’ll show you the new plan to get you out…even with all the mess on the roads! A Storm Team 8 special report.

From poly-urethane foam to high-tech fabric. There are plenty of new ways to protect your home before hurricanes hit. See how you can use high-tech products to strengthen your home this hurricane season. A Storm Team 8 special report. Hurricane Technology
(airdate: 5/26/08)

When 911 Failed
(airdate: 5/23/08)
It’s the 911 call some say could’ve prevented a young mom’s murder. But the system broke down Hear how the breakdown happened… And why it could happen again.

The Dangers of Hair Straightening
(airdate: 5/22/08)
Women paying hundreds of dollars for super straight hair! The cost may be more than they know…they may even be risking getting cancer! 8 On Your Side tells you about the dangerous hair straightening treatment and the right questions to ask your stylist!

Target 8: Toxic Ground Water
(airdate: 5/21/08)
target 8 exposed toxic chemicals beneath a local neighborhood. People who live there had no idea, but apparently the agency responsible did. Target 8 investigates why they didn't warn anyone?

Money May: Free Things To Do
(airdate: 5/20/08)
Movies… Music… Museums… Fun things to do that won’t cost a dime! 8 On Your Side did the digging and put together a list of free fun for all ages!

Target 8: Investigating the Orkin Man
(airdate: 5/19/08)
For years, customers complained about Orkin: faking termite treatments, forging customer’s signatures. Target 8 was there from the beginning. The state launched a massive investigation, but never even filed charges. Did the orkin man get off too easy? Target 8 investigates.

Problem Solver: Soldier's Credit Hassle
(airdate: 5/16/08)
He battled the Taliban in Afghanistan Then had to battle his credit card company for the low interest rate guaranteed to soldiers. He fought for us... So, we fought for him. An 8OYS Problem Solver.

Money May: Saving For College
(airdate: 5/15/08)
Are you prepared to pay for college? Tuiton…books…room and board… It could be one of the biggest expenses you ever have! 8 On Your Side shows you how to Save for college by shopping at your favorite stores!

Unnecessary Dental Procedures
(airdate: 5/14/08)
Creating brighter smiles is big business. But some dentists are pressuring patients into procedures they don’t need. Is it over the ethical line to do that? Can you…or should you…resist the sell? 8 On Your Side shows you how to keep dentists from drilling a hole in your wallet.

Money May: Drowning In Debt
(airdate: 5/13/08)
Drowning in credit card debt? Racking up late fees? Paying sky-high interest rates? There is a way to dig out of it. 8 On Your Side shows you the steps to take. Plus, a place that can help you with your bills!

Target 8: Veteran Sued
(airdate: 5/12/08)
An Air Force veteran forced out of a local nursing home when the government wouldn’t pay to keep him there! Even after a career spent serving his country, he couldn’t get help when he needed it. Why not? Target 8 gets the answers.

Non-chemical Flea Control
(airdate: 5/9/08)
We may be facing the worst flea season in years! What can you do to keep the pests off your pet? 8 On Your Side has a chemical-free, all-natural way to help you fight them.

Money May: Saving On Groceries
(airdate: 5/8/08)
8 On Your Side's Stacie Schaible shows you ways to save in grocery aisle.

Target 8: Sunroom Follow-up
(airdate: 5/7/08)
An elderly couple paid for a sunroom…and got burned. Target 8 turned up the heat, but did the shady company ever deliver on the contract?

Finding Discounts Online
(airdate: 5/6/08)
Free food! 12 dollars off an oil change! Half-price gym membership! Stacie Schaible found all these great deals. She shows how you can too.

A Long Road to Recovery
(airdate: 5/5/08)
Shot in the line of duty. Unable to perform his job on the street. What does his future hold? See how one of Tampa’s finest is putting his life back together. An amazing story of hope and courage.

When Danger's Not A Stranger
(airdate: 5/2/08)
What does a sex predator look like? Would you recognize one if you saw him … or her? Chances are… your child will. 8 On Your Side helps you safeguard your child from predators that may be a coach, teacher, or relative.

Money May: Saving On Insurance
(airdate: 5/1/08)
8 is on your side with ways to shrink the cost of your car insurance! From how you drive, to how to get your company to give you discounts. Easy ways to shrink your rates.

Orphaned Subdivisions
(airdate: 4/30/08)
What are your rights when a developer pulls out of your neighborhood before it’s finished? When your neighbors bail out, you could be left living next to a pile of dirt. 8 On Your Side looks at what you should look for before moving into a new neighborhood, and what you should do if you’re stuck in an unfinished one.

Money May: Saving On Gas
(airdate: 4/29/08)
Filling up or Driving around town, 8 On Your Side's Stacie Schaible shows you ways to make your gas dollar go further.

Cyber-Bullying
(airdate: 4/28/08)
Facebook, Myspace, Youtube. Kids use these sites to torment each other, start fights, even post beatings online. 8 On Your Side shows you how to protect your children from being bullied on the internet?

Healing Touch
(airdate: 4/25/08)
He's legally blind but some say there's in healing in his touch. Meet the man using hands and feet to treat brain disorders... and the families that say it works!

Avoiding Foreclosure
(airdate: 4/24/08)
8 On Your Side shows homeowners steps to take to avoid foreclosure.

DTV & The Elderly
(airdate: 4/23/08)
8 On Your Side offers help for those not sure about the transition to digital TV.

A New Drug For Migraines
(airdate: 4/22/08)
Medical Editor's Irene Maher shows you how a drug used to treat Alzheimer's is now helping migraine sufferers.

The Dangers of Ripstiks
(airdate: 4/21/08)
kids love them, but Ripsticks - the new skateboards - can be dangerous! 8 On Your Side shows you ways to keep your children safe when they ride them.

Home Health Test
(airdate: 4/18/08)
Are home health tests worth your money? 8 On Your Side has what you need to know before you go it alone.

Boosting Your Metabolism
(airdate: 4/17/08)
You Diet and excercise, but you still gain weight. Your metabolism may be to blame. 8 On Your Side shows you ways to boost your metabolism.

Kids and Crocs
(airdate: 4/16/08)
Is the famous footwear the best choice for your active kids? 8 On Your Side shows you the dangers of Crocs.

The Switch to Digital Television
(airdate: 4/15/08)
The switch to digital TV is on. 8 On Your Side has what you need to know to make sure your current TV is ready for the switch.

Target 8: Toxic Chemicals pt4
(airdate: 4/14/08)
Homeowners file suit against the company responsible for the plume of toxic chemicals flowing under their homes. A follow-up to a Target 8 Investigation.

A Mother With Hope
(airdate: 4/11/08)
A loving mother cares for her four year old son as he undergoes radiation treatments for a brain tumor.

Target 8: Toxic Chemicals pt3
(airdate: 4/10/08)
Toxic waste from a defense plant runs under a neighborhood and the homeowners want answers. A follow-up to a Target 8 Investigation.

Cancer Fighting Food
(airdate: 4/8/08)
Tasty, simple ways to add a cancer-fighting diet to your healthy lifestyle. From a fruit salsa that adds flavor to delicious ways to cut out red meat, 8 On Your Side shows cancer-fighting recipes you’ll love!

A Battle With Insurance
(airdate: 4/7/08)
Battling cancer didn't kill her, but the battle with her insurance companies cost her big. A local woman was covered by two insurance policies, so why didn't her bills get paid? 8 On Your Side Investigates. .

Juvenile Crime
(airdate: 4/4/08)
Is juvenile crime on the rise? 8 On Your Side sifts through bay area crime stats to find out.

The Dangers of Tanning
(airdate: 4/3/08)
Warts. Rashes. Infections. You can catch a lot more at the tanning bed than just rays. What you need to know before you your step into the tanning booth. 8 On Your Side's Irene Maher reports.

Bouncing Back For Boomers
(airdate: 4/2/08)
Running. Pumping. Peddling. Baby boomers are big on working out, but too much exercise can cause serious physical harm. How boomers can bounce back from working out too hard.

Avoiding Fraud At Tax Time
(airdate: 4/1/08)
8 On Your Side gives you tax tips to help you avoid identity theft.

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