State lawmakers arrive at the Capitol today for a two-week special session to close a $2.3 billion gap in the state budget. ...more

January 5, 2009

Laws mandating stores sell only cigarettes that are slow-burning and fire-safe went into effect in five states on New Year's Day, and Florida will join the list next year. ...more

January 3, 2009

Laws mandating stores only sell cigarettes that are slow-burning and fire-safe went into effect in five states on New Year's Day. ...more

January 2, 2009

Man-on-the-street interviews Wednesday found both cheers and jeers for a state bill to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack. ...more

January 2, 2009

Regarding the letter on Dec. 29: That was certainly a short season of peace on earth, goodwill to men! ...more

January 1, 2009

Edward Johnson of New Port Richey says it is time for people to write letters to the editor criticizing smokers because smokers have no consideration for them. ...more

December 27, 2008

One of my favorite albums of all time is "Club Wig," the eponymous debut of a band from Tuscaloosa, Ala. The band existed in one form or another from 1984 - at the time, anyone who wanted could get up and play with the band; drums consisted of two cardboard boxes -- until (I think) 1987. ...more

December 26, 2008

Hillsborough County deputies have arrested a Tampa man they say robbed four Hillsborough County businesses this year. They are continuing to search for a second suspect they say robbed a store with him. ...more

December 19, 2008

TAMPA A man accused today of strangling his roommate during an argument over cigarettes was arrested last month after another argument between them turned violent, police said. Tampa police charged Billy Locke Jr., 30, with felony second-degree murder in the death of Rick Lamar Ming, 43, earlier today. Locke was held without bail at the Orient Road Jail. ...more

December 9, 2008

Robert Glenn Temple has pleaded not guilty in the death of his wife, Rosemary Christensen. ...more

December 1, 2008