MIAMI — Inside the rolling room of El Credito Cigar Company, the air is earthy and fragrant, a mix of coffee and nuts tinged with caramel and leather. Amid those sweet smells, though, workers are worried about a new federal tobacco tax that threatens Florida's $2 billion cigar industry. Starting today, the tax increased from 5 cents to about 40 cents on large cigars, a little less on smaller stogies. Cigar makers say the increase will torch jobs and profits — what's left of them in the recession. ...more

April 1, 2009

Jurors in a federal death penalty trial viewed photographs this morning of the scene of an execution-style slaying in a Bartow drug house in October 2006. ...more

February 25, 2009

Nearly 20,000 South Carolina and Iowa fans packed Ybor City as floats and bands made their way down 7th Avenue for the annual Outback Bowl parade. The dismal economy didn't stop the out-of-towners from making the trek to Tampa to be true to their schools. ...more

December 31, 2008

The mother accused her daughter of committing the sin of gluttony, and so put the chubby girl on a strict diet. ...more

August 16, 2008

It's no myth. It's just M.J. For the past few weeks, the "Gas Phantom" has handed out wads of cash to grateful motorists at dozens of gasoline pumps across the Tampa Bay area. After doling out more than $14,000 to patrons, a man in a dark business suit appeared today at a Shell station on North Dale Mabry Highway and revealed his identity. ...more

May 22, 2008

I'm a people watcher. It comes with being a writer, and it's at least partly why I knew at a very young age that writing would be my life. ...more

January 20, 2008

The Rev. Hamilton Throckmorton shivered with anticipation as he gazed at the loot - wads of $50 bills piled high beside boxes of crayons in a Sunday school classroom. ...more

December 23, 2007