Regulators have shut down banks in Florida, New Jersey, Ohio and Oklahoma, boosting to 68 the number of federally insured banks to fail this year amid the pressures of the weak economy and mounting loan defaults. ...more

July 31, 2009

Hotel guest satisfaction has improved this year despite reduced traveler demand for rooms that has caused hotels to reduce staff and trim operating costs, the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study released this morning said. ...more

July 28, 2009

Finally our local government is making common-sense decisions. The Tampa Sports Authority made a decision not to give the front-runner for the vacant executive director post a $10,000 stipend to help pay his mortgages. This man is already making a six-figure income and wanted help from the taxpayer. Two members of the three-member executive committee voted to not give him this money. To them I say well done. ...more

July 27, 2009

Find out from dating expert, Lisa Daily. ...more

July 21, 2009

Four Port of Tampa businesses will get $10 million in federal stimulus money for infrastructure improvements, said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa. ...more

July 18, 2009

Four Port of Tampa businesses will get $10 million in federal stimulus funds for infrastructure improvements, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., said. ...more

July 17, 2009

The number of newly laid-off Americans signing up for unemployment benefits last week and those using this safety net over a longer period both plunged. The government figures released Thursday were clouded by difficulties adjusting for temporary shutdowns at auto plants. ...more

July 17, 2009

Well, we have yet another government entity crying for a tax increase. Now it is the school system. ...more

July 16, 2009

How is federal stimulus money really affecting Florida? Agency directors from across the state gave Gov. Charlie Crist an update Wednesday. Here are some of the highlights, by-the-numbers: ...more

July 16, 2009

Nothing gets my blood boiling like reading the letters section in the Tribune. One woman suggested the economy would be in better shape if abortion was illegal. Another compared global warming to a banana conspiracy. So here is a challenge for all the letter-to-the-editor people: Before putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, do five minutes of research. If you are pro-choice, read about pro-life. If you are pro-life, read about pro-choice. If you think leaving produce on the counter is comparable to global warming, at least read the Wikipedia article! If you think the bananas are out to get you, well ... get help. ...more

July 15, 2009