Coal mining has never been more lucrative. The price of coal, a major ingredient in the production of electricity and steel, has doubled since January, pushing the stock prices and earnings of U.S. coal producers to new highs. ...more

June 5, 2008

Nature's Classroom marked its 39th anniversary with an Earth Day-related celebration. ...more

May 21, 2008

The glowing amber dot on a light switch in the entryway of George Tsapoitis' house offers a clue about the future of electricity. ...more

May 12, 2008

TAMPA BAY AREA Coal Fuels TECO Stock Shares of Tampa-based TECO Energy surged nearly 8 percent Friday after Citigroup raised its rating on the stock from "Hold" to "Buy" on prospects of increased earnings from the company's coal-mining business. Friday, TECO's stock price hit a 52-week high of $19.10 a share before finishing the day at $19.05, up $1.34 for the day. The stock is up about 11 percent this year. ...more

May 10, 2008

The parent company of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas said Tuesday that both utilities will be seeking permission from state regulators this year to raise consumer rates, citing major investments in new generation and higher operating costs. ...more

February 6, 2008

TAMPA BAY AREA Tampa Fares 14th Lowest Tampa International Airport reported the nation's 14th-lowest departing air fares among the 100 largest U.S. airports for the period ending Sept. 30. For passengers departing Tampa's airport, round-trip and one-way air fares (grouped together for statistical purposes) averaged $264.38 for the third quarter, down 1.7 percent from the year-ago quarter and down 0.8 percent from the third quarter in 2000. ...more

January 31, 2008

TAMPA BAY AREA Unemployment On Rise The unemployment rate in the Bay area and the state continues to rise. According to statistics from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, the unemployment rate in Florida rose to 4.7 percent in December, compared with 4.3 percent in November. The unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in December 2006. ...more

January 19, 2008

They met 45 years ago, two women in the same dorm and the same sorority. ...more

December 30, 2007

When the University of Wisconsin Badgers enter Raymond James Stadium for their fourth Outback Bowl in Tampa on Tuesday, Sarah and Rachel Elbing, granddaughters of Sun City Center residents Fred and Jeanette Kroog, will march in, too. ...more

December 29, 2007

TODAY FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES BREAKFAST: Annual bowl game breakfast at Tampa downtown Hyatt Regency, will be attended by some players and coaches. Call the FCA at (813) 926-4031 to purchase tickets. ...more

December 27, 2007