It's noon Friday. Nichole Leary just lit a 305 and sat down on the black metal bench outside the food court at Lakeshore Mall. ...more

February 7, 2009

Which is worse, driving while drunk or yakking on a cell phone while behind the wheel? ...more

January 21, 2009

For universities and colleges across Florida, the bad times started two years ago. And like nearly everyone these days, higher education officials see their finances going from bad to worse. ...more

January 17, 2009

For universities and colleges across Florida, the bad times started two years ago. And like nearly everyone these days, higher education officials see their finances going from bad to worse. This week, Florida lawmakers are expected to take 4 percent from the state's college and university budgets for 2008-09. Add that to $259 million in reductions that began in 2007 and fears that the declining economy could force even more cuts when the Legislature goes into its regular session this spring. ...more

January 14, 2009

When people were successfully making the case for approving the Penny for Pasco one-cent special sales tax during the March 2004 referendum, voters were told the Pasco School District badly needed its 45 percent share of the tax's annual revenue - more than $400 million over 10 years - because it was swamped by a huge annual influx of students. ...more

January 14, 2009

Legislation is in the works to extend the two-year freeze on Citizens Property Insurance homeowner policy rate increases Florida lawmakers imposed on the state's insurer of last resort. ...more

January 13, 2009

As the economy continues to lag and unemployment rates rise, Tampa housing officials are touting a planned redevelopment project as a way to create thousands of jobs. ...more

January 13, 2009

After two years of waiting, Mayor Pam Iorio wants to fast-track Encore, the planned redevelopment of Central Park Village. ...more

January 12, 2009

State lawmakers have again pitched a bill that it would make it a felony to have sex with animals. This year's bill was sponsored by Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, and Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart. ...more

January 12, 2009

Florida lawmakers made some of the final decisions Saturday on cutting $2.4 billion from the state budget, making painful and politically controversial cuts in programs that range from preserving environmental land to providing elderly people in-home living assistance. ...more

January 11, 2009