Michael Sarver, latest castoff from "American Idol," isn't ready to go back to the oil rig. ...more

March 27, 2009

Mattel and Nickelodeon recently announced the updating of their major moneymaking franchise, "Dora The Explorer." It seems little Dora will soon grow up and gain just enough of an edge to appeal to the "tween" crowd. ...more

March 27, 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Sarver is proof that "American Idol" apparently is not rigged. ...more

March 26, 2009

State lawmakers say gambling bills that passed a Senate commitee today could plug a third of the state's $3 billion funding hole. ...more

March 25, 2009

Mattel and Nickelodeon recently announced the updating of their major moneymaking franchise, "Dora The Explorer." It seems little Dora will soon grow up and gain just enough of an edge to appeal to the "tween" crowd. ...more

March 25, 2009

While others might end their school day by going home to do homework or hanging out with friends, a few dedicated students from Wiregrass Ranch High School and John Long Middle School said they have much more fun hanging out with the band students at Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel. ...more

March 18, 2009

BRADENTON After hitting the first pitch he saw in anger this spring off the top of the left-field wall and collecting a bloop two-run double the following inning, Carlos Pena was feeling pretty good about his 2009 debut. ...more

March 6, 2009

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is looking for a 12-year-old girl who never returned from school on Monday. ...more

March 3, 2009

Otis Anthony has dedicated his life to improving conditions for blacks in Tampa. One of his many contributions is a collection of oral histories, articles and transcripts that he gathered in the 1970s and has since donated to the University of South Florida for preservation. The following are excerpts from some of his interviews. ...more

February 15, 2009

Jim Gries had written of the life and times of our poor unappreciated teachers. He described their day thusly: A teacher will have breakfast and prepare for the upcoming day around 6:30 a.m. Arrive at work 7:40 to begin preparing for class. After working through lunch, the day concludes around 3:45 p.m. Before going home they are expected to meet with parents, make copies and enter grades and a few other chores. A dedicated teacher will work from home grading papers and making lesson plans late into the night. ...more

December 5, 2008