Studies show that laws prohibiting sexual predators from living near schools and other places where children congregate do not prevent offenders from committing new crimes and may be counterproductive, a legislative policy analyst told a House panel Tuesday. ...more

November 3, 2009

Criminal background checks on many caregivers for children, the elderly and disabled are being delayed because Florida isn't taking full advantage of electronic fingerprinting, state officials said Thursday. ...more

October 24, 2009

Clearwater police are looking for a man and a woman they say are connected to at least 21 vehicle burglaries over the past two months. ...more

March 31, 2009

Do we want the United States to be like Europe? The European model has worked in many ways. I am delighted whenever I get a chance to go to Stockholm or Amsterdam, not to mention Rome or Paris. There's a lot to like - a lot to love - about day-to-day life in Europe. But I argue that the answer to this question is "no." Not for economic reasons. I want to focus on another problem with the European model: namely, that it drains too much of the life from life. ...more

March 28, 2009

Law enforcement agencies suspended today the liquor license of a Bradenton bar where two slayings, 29 assaults and 25 drug complaints have occurred over the past 3 1/2 years. ...more

February 22, 2009

A gang of South Florida thieves dubbed the "Felony Lane Group" is accused of breaking into cars to steal identification, credit cards and checkbooks that they then used to defraud local banks of more than $50,000. ...more

February 20, 2009

Sweatpants, T-shirt and tennis shoes aren't Alice Stockley's usual church attire. But as a member of First Baptist Church of Brandon's newest ministry, Stockley blends right in wearing her workout gear. ...more

January 28, 2009

State food monitors aren't performing required inspections for more than a fourth of food service establishments that pose the highest risk to the public, according to a report from the state's accountability office. ...more

January 2, 2009

State food monitors aren't performing required inspections for more than a fourth of food service establishments that pose the highest risk to the public, said a report from the state accountability office. ...more

December 31, 2008

Families in Plant City, Brandon, New Tampa and the area around King High likely won't deal with the bus transportation changes next year that put other areas in chaos this year. ...more

October 28, 2008