Seizing on the major fiscal news of the year, Internet scammers are trying to use federal economic stimulus checks as a hook to steal personal financial information, the Internal Revenue Service warns. ...more

July 12, 2008

Seizing on the major fiscal news of the year, a rash of Internet scammers is trying to use federal economic stimulus checks as a hook to steal personal financial information, the Internal Revenue Service warns. ...more

July 11, 2008

For years, Tampa Bay welcomed thousands of new residents who fueled a frenetic real estate climate and one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country. ...more

July 11, 2008

The Mississippi River pushed relentlessly past dozens of levees this month. Towns were submerged, their buildings tiny islands in murky water. Ducks paddled on ponds that had once been farmland. Some flooding was inevitable, given the force of the swollen Mississippi. But a poorly managed flood-defense system did not help. ...more

July 6, 2008

The letter from David Mica of the Florida Petroleum Council was, shall we say, carefully worded. ...more

July 5, 2008

Fifteen years ago, a disastrous flood swept through the Midwest, causing an estimated $20 billion in flood damage, nearly 50 deaths and untold trauma to the hundreds of thousands whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Today we see the same kind of flooding in many of the same areas. Twenty-four deaths have been attributed to this year's floods, and economic damage is escalating into the billions of dollars. The flooding of cropland has already been reflected in rising commodity prices and will soon hit grocery store prices. Tens of thousands of people have seen their homes destroyed. ...more

June 30, 2008

After numerous delays, the first fire station in the Trinity area is taking shape on Trinity Boulevard about a quarter mile east of State Road 54. ...more

June 29, 2008

Thousands of ham radio operators are showing their emergency capabilities this weekend. ...more

June 28, 2008

Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, who became one of the wealthiest trial lawyers in the country by taking on tobacco, asbestos and insurance companies, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for conspiring to bribe a judge. ...more

June 28, 2008

SEBRING — New houses are beginning to spring up in Sebring's newest housing subdivision not far from Sebring High School, providing needed jobs and a quality home for average folks needing a house. Part of the subdivision will be solely for workforce affordable housing with state financing assistance, for those who qualify. One hundred and 50 homes will be built over the next 18 months in this gated community, with 50 available only to people who qualify for the state's Community Workforce Innovative Pilot Program. Better known as "CWHIP," the program gives working people in vital jobs, with income limits, at least $50,000 and, in some cases, $60,000 off the price of these new homes. ...more

June 27, 2008