October was by far the best month U.S. retailers have had since consumers put the brakes on spending a year ago. Major categories had robust sales growth for the first time in more than a year, new figures show. ...more

November 5, 2009

With the recession apparently over, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday held a key interest rate at a record low and again pledged to keep it there for an "extended period" to foster the fragile economic recovery. ...more

November 5, 2009

Volunteer Way food bank officials are sporting green thumbs to combat hunger during the recession. The first shipment of plants and seeds for a large-scale hydroponic garden at the food bank are scheduled to arrive Wednesday. ...more

November 4, 2009

Even as county officials try to chart a new course for Pasco, recycling remains on the back burner of strategic plan discussions. ...more

November 4, 2009

Almost 40 percent of the nation's 18- to 24-year-olds in 2008 were enrolled in college, a record number, according to a Pew Research Center report released last week. The rise was driven almost entirely by a surge in students attending community colleges. ...more

November 1, 2009

Organized religion was already in trouble before fall 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances. ...more

October 31, 2009

The first time I went into Thailand Restaurant, it was Chinese. That was 30 years ago this month. "Nobody knew anything about Thai food around here in those days," says Amnuay Thambundit, who owns the South Tampa - 5252 S. Dale Mabry Highway - restaurant with his wife, Pornrut. ...more

October 30, 2009

In 2006 Hillsborough County commissioners spent $170,000 to terminate a golf range's lease on the Linebaugh Avenue County Northwest Landfill to hasten development of another solid waste transfer station. Today, the golf range remains shuttered, the site is an eyesore, no new transfer station is built and there is no sign of the construction that was to be completed this year. ...more

October 29, 2009

Pinellas County's mainstay tourism industry appears to be inching toward leading Pinellas out of recession, the county's visitors industry consultant said Wednesday. ...more

October 29, 2009

Weekends have meant 30 years of produce, house wares, clothing, hot breakfasts and bartering with vendors at the American Legion Flea Market. ...more

October 28, 2009