Wild, unprovoked gunfire and grenades killed 14 innocent Iraqis and hurt dozens more in a 2007 Baghdad attack, prosecutors said Monday in announcing charges with mandatory 30-year prison terms against five Blackwater Worldwide security guards. ...more

December 9, 2008

Ever since John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate, many have lavished praise on her decision not to have an abortion after she and her husband learned that their youngest child, Trig, would be born with Down syndrome. Do those telling Palin "attagirl" and "way to go" have any idea what challenges and struggles Trig's parents - and all of us who care for children with special needs - live with every day? Though everyone cheered the Palin family in Minnesota last week, will those people be there for that little boy and his family when their support is really needed? ...more

September 9, 2008

In an effort to cast himself as independent of the influence of money on politics, Sen. Barack Obama often highlights the campaign contributions of $200 or less that have amounted to fully half of the $340 million he has collected so far. ...more

August 6, 2008

The Rays played for a month - and thrived - without their best pitcher. They've managed to win, at various times, without their starting catcher, their primary designated hitter, their No. 3 starter, two middle relievers, a couple of utility infielders and their lights-out closer. ...more

June 5, 2008

BROOKSVILLE — Three-hundred sixty-five days. That's how long Nature Coast Technical High School's football team will have to endure the wait for another crack at big brother Central High. ...more

November 15, 2007

Sure, we were all disturbed by last week's video of a student hectoring John Kerry and then getting Tasered by cops as he yelped 'Don't Tase me, bro!' But let's keep it in perspective: Had Dick Cheney been at the lectern, that kid wouldn't be alive. ...more

September 25, 2007