Orders to U.S. factories turned in the weakest performance in three months in May, reflecting slumping demand for autos, heavy machinery and steel. ...more

July 3, 2008

DUNEDIN – The city could cut 18 full-time positions from its fiscal 2009 budget to make up for an expected $2.6 million revenue shortfall. In an interview today, City Manager Robert DiSpirito said the city has everything it could to prevent having to lay off any employees. The amount of property tax revenue the city will lose next fiscal year to state-mandated property tax rate cuts is so large, however, he will be forced to recommend staff reductions, DiSpirito said. ...more

June 26, 2008

TAMPA - More than 100 county jobs, including 12 upper-level positions, would be eliminated under a budget proposed today by Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean. ...more

June 4, 2008

City officials say they had no choice but to cancel the annual Independence Day celebration - including fireworks - at Plant City Stadium. ...more

June 4, 2008

Government-sanctioned fireworks shows are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations. This year, however, various factors, both local and on the other side of the globe, are prompting many local government, here in Pinellas and elsewhere, to scrap their traditional Independence Day fireworks displays. ...more

May 31, 2008

SEBRING — The number of tax certificates being advertised for Saturday's annual certificate sale is about 50 percent greater than last year's, showing a huge spike in the number of delinquent property taxes. Investors looking to make interest off the unpaid property taxes will have 16,458 properties to choose from, compared to the 10,895 certificates for sale from the 2006 tax roll. The county creates a certificate on a property when its owner owes taxes that are more than two years overdue. Investors buy them for the amount owed and earn interest until the property owner pays them off. After two years, the certificate holder could also try to get back the investment by forcing a foreclosure. Highlands County Tax Collector Charles Bryan blamed the increase on both the growing number of properties on the tax roll and on two property owners in Sun N' Lake of Sebring that owe taxes on 2,885 properties. He acknowledged the current economy has a role in it as well. ...more

May 25, 2008

As they look for ways to balance planned spending for next fiscal year coupled with falling revenue, Pinellas officials are bringing "clustering" to north-county parks. ...more

May 17, 2008

The New York Times once epitomized all that was great about American newspapers; now it symbolizes its industry's deep malaise. ...more

May 10, 2008

President Bush, defending his record and his rhetoric, said Saturday that his administration has been "clear and candid" about the nation's economy. ...more

May 4, 2008

The economic slowdown has swelled the ranks of people without health insurance. But now it is also threatening millions of people who have insurance but find that the coverage is too limited or they cannot afford their own share of medical costs. ...more

May 4, 2008