WASHINGTON - Acknowledging it's an "imperfect" bill, President Barack Obama said Wednesday he will accept a $410 billion spending package that includes billions in earmarks like those he promised to curb in last year's campaign. But he insisted the bill must signal an "end to the old way of doing business." ...more

March 11, 2009

Sarasota County would get two more years to find a new spring training baseball team to replace the Cincinnati Reds, according to legislation the Florida Senate is expected to take up this afternoon. State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said she'll propose an amendment to Senate Bill 1308 that would essentially give Sarasota and Sarasota County two more years to build a new stadium. If they don't find a team by the end of two years, the money would go back to the state. ...more

March 10, 2009

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

Legislation to extend law enforcement officers' "bill of rights" should be called the "Keep Bad Cops Employed Act." If adopted, it will be virtually impossible for police and sheriff departments to cleanse miscreants from their ranks. ...more

March 9, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that more people need to take advantage of the Cover Florida health care access plan that provides low-cost coverage for Floridians who don't have insurance. ...more

March 6, 2009

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some think the idea should have been dead on arrival. ...more

March 4, 2009

Scott Fisher of Palm Harbor wants Pinellas County to stop diverting tax money from the portion of the budget that is spent in unincorporated areas. ...more

February 28, 2009

Democrats controlling Congress are loosening restrictions on allowing people of Cuban descent to visit their relatives on the island. ...more

February 24, 2009

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com. ...more

February 17, 2009

As an early childhood educator, I cannot understand the reasoning behind this misleading slogan "No Child Left Behind." ...more

February 17, 2009