With needy families struggling through the recession, some mothers could be forced to choose between buying food or diapers for a baby. That's why organizers of the Diaper Drop benefit are asking people to donate packs of diapers at collection sites at local H&R Block offices. ...more

March 31, 2009

Business prospects are in danger of drying up for local sod farmers and the companies that purchase, deliver and install the turf. ...more

March 31, 2009

The Tampa Bay area is on pace this year to exceed permit applications from previous years, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Some people are worried about the recession; others believe a new president will mean bans on weapons. ...more

March 30, 2009

When (oh when!) will the people and government of the United States learn the basic facts of personal and national economic life? ...more

March 30, 2009

Paying more taxes now so you won't have to pay them later sure doesn't sound like a great deal during a recession. ...more

March 29, 2009

Cruise line passenger traffic increased 17.8 percent at the Port of Tampa in January compared with a year ago - up to 84,546 embarking and disembarking passengers, a report shows. ...more

March 28, 2009

For this year's Chaso Fiesta street parade the city of New Port Richey said it would enforce a policy barring the throwing of beads or other trinkets from floats. Five floats or units that allegedly violated the ban were pulled from the March 21 parade, according to Roger Michels, a longtime organizer of the parade. ...more

March 28, 2009

While The Salvation Army set a holiday donation record nationally, a sagging local economy accounted for a nearly 27 percent drop in red kettle collections for its Sebring unit in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to Major Mary Holmes. ...more

March 28, 2009

With unemployment soaring, lawmakers in Tallahassee are fretting over whether to accept more than $444 million from the federal government. ...more

March 28, 2009

The government says consumers increased spending for a second straight month in February even though their incomes slipped because of continuing layoffs. ...more

March 28, 2009