If you've never heard of My Safe Florida Home, the state's free hurricane inspection program, chances are you soon will. ...more

January 19, 2009

Fathers who fail to pay child support would do a weeklong work detail wearing a shirt, overalls or vest that reads "Deadbeat Dad" if state lawmakers pass a bill being introduced by Sen. Mike Fasano. ...more

January 17, 2009

The Legislature this week cut spending by roughly $2.8 billion to bring the state budget in balance. Then Gov. Charlie Crist threatened to veto the portion of the spending-cut plan that would take money from public education. We have a much better target for him if the governor is looking to wield his veto pen. ...more

January 17, 2009

If given a choice, would Hillsborough County school employees choose layoffs and salary cuts to help close a multimillion-dollar deficit, or would they take a few days off without pay? ...more

January 17, 2009

A story slated to run on "Dateline NBC" about Rachel Hoffman has been preempted for coverage of Thursday's plane crash into the Hudson River. ...more

January 16, 2009

If given a choice, would Hillsborough County school employees choose layoffs and salary cuts to help close a multimillion-dollar deficit, or would they take a few days off without pay? As the head of the teachers union put it, it's like asking, "Would you rather cut off your right arm or your left leg?" But the district wants their input. School officials circulated a survey to 25,000 employees this week, asking for their thoughts on the grim options they're considering to save as much as $55 million. ...more

January 16, 2009

State Sen. Charlie Justice said no one should face the kind of surprise that hit neighbors of the Raytheon defense plant last year when they learned a toxic plume of industrial waste had been spreading beneath them for years. ...more

January 15, 2009

The fire board unanimously settled on a millage cap of 2.75. The public was unanimous in their objection to a local state representative's decision last month to lower the cap to 2.50. ...more

January 15, 2009

If you've never heard of My Safe Florida Home, the state's free hurricane inspection program, chances are you soon will. ...more

January 14, 2009

Even porcupines could get pink slips in the slumping economy as states consider cutting or eliminating funding that supports zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. ...more

January 14, 2009