The Treasury Department says the federal budget deficit soared to $192.3 billion in March, and is near $1 trillion just halfway through the budget year, as costs of the financial bailout and recession mount. ...more

April 10, 2009

The grandparents of a slain toddler are being questioned for a civil defamation lawsuit filed in central Florida. ...more

April 9, 2009

So this is what it feels like to start a baseball season after finishing the previous year with a winning record. Nearly six months after the Rays' first World Series appearance, TVs at Bay-area sports bars, homes and businesses were tuned Tuesday to the team's season-opening game against division rival Boston Red Sox. The Rays lost the game 5-3 but have a chance today to even the series. The first time fans can clang their cowbells at Tropicana Field will be Monday, when the Rays play their home opener against the Yankees. In preparation for that, the team held "Rays University" classes for all employees at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. The theme: excellent customer service. ...more

April 8, 2009

John Chase of Palm Harbor urges Congress to approve President Barack Obama's economic plan and beat up on bankers later. ...more

March 28, 2009

A West Tampa man was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted today of killing his ex-girlfriend so she couldn't testify against him in a domestic violence hearing. ...more

March 19, 2009

For Keith McGurn, an early dry season equals stressful times. ...more

March 18, 2009

I thought I'd answer a few more of your questions: Jaclyn in Cleveland asks: My husband and I are 33 with two small children. With an income of $230,000, we max out our TSP and 401(k) plans. Each month we save $250 to a 529, $200 to IRA and brokerage accounts, and $50 to an ING savings account. Given that we are 30 years to retirement and 15 years from college tuition bills, is it smart to maintain our current savings patterns or is it better to adjust according to the economy? ...more

March 15, 2009

Two girls charged in the videotaped beating of a Polk County teen were sentenced to probation this morning. April Cooper was 14 and Kayla Hassell was 15 when they participated in the March 30, 2008, attack on Victoria Lindsay and recorded the beating on video. ...more

March 11, 2009

Prosecutors want to know how Casey Anthony is paying her legal bills. ...more

March 10, 2009

Dear Abby: My boyfriend, "Sean," and I met online six months ago. We are now at the stage where we are meeting and going out with each other's friends and co-workers, and the question, "How did you meet?" is coming up. ...more

March 8, 2009