Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, said Tuesday it will begin calling borrowers to offer refinancing or modifications on $16 billion in loans whose interest rate is set to adjust by the end of 2008. Its shares fell more than 4 percent. ...more

October 23, 2007

Guards working for an Australian-owned security company fired on a car as it approached their convoy Tuesday, killing two female civilians before speeding away from the latest bloodshed blamed on the deadly mix of heavily armed protection details on Baghdad's crowded streets. ...more

October 10, 2007

TAMPA – The chairman and chief executive officer of Progress Energy died today while on a business trip to London. Robert McGehee, 64, was among a group of Progress Energy executives in England to meet with investors. He suffered a stroke on Sunday and underwent surgery at Charing Cross Hospital, but did not regain consciousness, a company news release said. ...more

October 9, 2007

The Eagles will perform during this fall's Country Music Association Awards for the first time, a nod to the success of their new single, 'How Long,' on country radio. ...more

September 28, 2007

I'm always sad to see the summer end. The kids go back to school and the relaxed attitudes that go hand-in-hand with hot weather shift. But the one thing I don't mind about the change in seasons is an opportunity to clean out my closet. ...more

September 23, 2007

SEBRING – When initially meeting anyone, that first impression is always important. This is especially true in business because that first encounter may be the last opportunity to convey the trust and confidence necessary for a lasting relationship. This is of utmost importance to Michael Witham, the returning chief operating officer at the Alan Jay Automotive Network since August. He believes every employee makes an impact with a customer, and each impression is important whether it's the receptionist, detail person or courtesy driver. He wants employees to decide the right thing to do. And by empowering them, their actions are decisive in satisfying the customer. Witham is the third generation growing up in an automobile dealership family. He remembers pulling weeds, washing cars, emptying trash and doing whatever needed to be done at a dealership even before he was able to drive. ...more

September 16, 2007