A Tampa man has been charged with defrauding a 71-year-old widow out of $19,000, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said today. Moctor "Justin" Ndiaye, 35, of 10307 Riverburn Drive, was arrested Monday night as he left the home of the victim, according to a news release from Sink's office. ...more

March 10, 2009

With foreclosures threatening to throw still more families out onto the streets, Pasco leaders opened the door this week on a long-range plan to end the homeless problem. As a first step, a Florida Housing Help Workshop on March 14 will reach out to residents facing foreclosure, the Rev. Dan Campbell, president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, told county commissioners. With a foreclosure rate of about 9 percent and other factors, Pasco meets the definition of a distressed county, Campbell, pastor of Community United Methodist Church of Holiday, said. ...more

March 4, 2009

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson made his annual trek to the Florida Strawberry Festival parade luncheon, but he didn't get his usual treat. He had to catch a 1 p.m. flight to Washington and didn't have time for strawberry shortcake. Nelson was among a crowd of dignitaries and festival officials who attended the luncheon today at the Trinkle center on the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College. ...more

March 2, 2009

With foreclosures threatening to throw still more families out onto the streets, Pasco leaders today elaborated on efforts to end the homeless problem. ...more

February 24, 2009

Thousands of State Farm policyholders around Florida are angry with the insurance giant and can't wait to see the company leave. ...more

February 15, 2009

A day-care owner accused of forging insurance certificates to receive about $38,000 in state money is among more than 100 people sought statewide this week on insurance-fraud charges, officials said. ...more

February 12, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist will introduce President Barack Obama at a town hall meeting today in Fort Myers, where Obama will push his economic stimulus package - a bill that has separated Crist from fellow Florida Republicans. ...more

February 10, 2009

Sen. JD Alexander said it's time to slash the number of state planes from two to one. ...more

February 9, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist confirmed today he'll introduce President Barack Obama at a town hall meeting in Fort Myers Tuesday, where Obama will appear to push his economic stimulus package. ...more

February 9, 2009

Private property insurers should be able to absorb the million-plus policyholders State Farm will orphan if the company withdraws from the market, a state regulator said Tuesday. ...more

February 4, 2009