Heartburn, acid reflux can be deadly

Millions of Americans suffer from acid reflux and take antacids to deal with the pain.  But they could be covering up a very serious problem, which can develop into a silent killer if gone untreated.  

I-Team: No license? No problem

A Bradenton restaurant owner faces an uncertain future, as city inspectors who accommodated his landlord focus on a bathroom shortage at his popular dining spot.

Gun in murder once owned by deputies

Hairy stockings to keep women safe?

Designers of a strange garment say they're aiming to keep women safe from would-be attackers.

Man mauled by black bear over barbecue

It's another lesson about not feeding wild animals. A black bear ate the first piece of barbecue thrown to it by a man near an Alaska campground.  It must not have liked the sauce because it "went ballistic."

WATCH: Miss Utah fumbles final question

Remember Miss South Carolina and her pageant response about U.S. Americans, education and world geography that went viral? She may have a new rival.

Google tests balloon-powered web access

Last week, Google launched two dozen balloons into the skies over New Zealand.  The balloons are equipped with wireless technology that beam signals to and from ground stations that connect to local internet infrastructure.

NASA picks 8 new astronauts, 4 are women

The eight -- all in their 30s -- were chosen from more than 6,000 applications received early last year, the second largest number ever received. They will report for duty in August at Johnson Space Center in Houston and join 49 astronauts currently at NASA.

'Kill switch' for stolen smartphones?

A coalition that includes prosecutors, police, political officials and consumer advocates from more than a dozen states intends to put pressure on smartphone companies to help dry up the secondary market in stolen phones.

Which lawn mower is a best buy?

It's that time of year when lawn and garden stores are starting to run sales on mowers. But which mower works best?

Consumer Alert: Chrysler to recall Jeeps

Chrysler will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.

Young heart patient becomes advocate

A four-year-old boy is taking action for other kids. He’s in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the local medical clinic keeping him alive and healthy. Here's what his family is doing and the difference it may make to other kids in our area.

Wendy Ryan preps for acid reflux surgery

ABC Action News anchor Wendy Ryan has had heartburn most of her life, and even though she has been on proton-pump inhibitors for years, her acid reflux was constant. She finally got tested, and now she's preparing for surgery.

Fox gets head stuck in glass jar

A wild animal's natural instinct is to steer clear of humans, but when a fox cub somehow got its head hopelessly stuck inside a glass jar, there seemed to be no other option than to seek a helping pair of human hands.

Rescues in Action: Hazel

Hazel is a sweet lady looking for a loving forever home. Hazel is a chocolate lab/pit bull terrier mix who was rescued by officers at Pinellas County Animal Services.

Country singer Slim Whitman dies at 90

Country singer Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeler who sold millions of records through ever-present TV ads in the 1980s and 1990s and whose song saved the world in the film comedy "Mars Attacks!," died Wednesday at a Florida hospital.

Bieber hits pedestrian with car

 Los Angeles police say Justin Bieber struck a pedestrian with his car in Hollywood, but there was no crime and the injuries aren't life-threatening.