In November, nearly three years after Bob Puccinelli filed his claim for benefits and nine months after his death, the Labor Department determined toxic chemicals at the Largo GE plant likely caused his cancer. His wife would receive a compensation check and be eligible for reimbursement for his medical bills. The family declined to say how much they received. ...more

December 4, 2008

November is National Hospice Month, a time to recognize the importance of end-of-life care in our communities. Each day, dedicated hospice professionals and volunteers offer caring support to patients and families facing the issues associated with life-limiting illnesses and conditions. ...more

November 29, 2008

Linda Roma's life had purpose. She took care of her husband of 41 years as he battled several illnesses. She became a rock of support for her 33-year-old daughter, Jennifer, with whom she spent hours talking on the porch, shopping and drinking coffee. ...more

November 15, 2008

November is National Hospice Month, a time to recognize the importance of end-of-life care. Each day, dedicated hospice professionals and volunteers offer caring support to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses and conditions. ...more

November 5, 2008

Another frightening new government report is heightening fears about the safety of the U.S. biodefense laboratories that study some of the world's deadliest germs. The latest worry: Intruders could easily break into two of the labs because of lax security. ...more

October 17, 2008

The list of products caught in China's tainted milk scandal grew Friday to include baby cereal in Hong Kong and snack foods in Japan. Meanwhile, Taiwan reported three children and a mother with kidney stones in the island's first cases possibly linked to the crisis. ...more

September 27, 2008

Beachgoers will be told more about whether it is safe to go in the water under a court settlement between environmentalists and the EPA. ...more

September 11, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings Thursday on four medications widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses, saying they can raise the risk of possibly fatal fungal infections. ...more

September 5, 2008

A pygmy killer whale undergoing rehabilitation at a Sarasota dolphin and whale hospital has died. ...more

September 4, 2008

I'm writing this on behalf of my adopted Florida mom. Her name is Lorayne Januskiewicz. Lately she's been having some rough times. She's been very down in the dumps for sometime, financially and emotionally, and also has had far more than her share of illnesses. ...more

August 31, 2008