TAMPA - At least a dozen families plan to seek restitution in court because their children's dreams of stardom were dashed at the Tampa Convention Center about two weeks ago when a company promising them acting classes vanished. Charles Gallagher, a St. Petersburg attorney representing the families, filed a civil complaint today against the California-based company, Pacific Modeling and Acting Academy. Gallagher said he is seeking a cumulative refund of more than $15,000, as well as damages and fees. ...more

June 11, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - With gas hovering around $4 a gallon, one less day of driving to the office can make a big difference. ...more

June 11, 2008

TAMPA - The state's Attorney General's Office launched a Web site Monday that features the most wanted fugitives pursued by local and national law enforcement. ...more

June 3, 2008

There's a modest storefront at 1800 Drew St. that might give the casual observer the impression the business is there to sell T-shirts. There are golf and T-shirts inside, and a sign out front reads: "USA Financial Retail Store." ...more

May 21, 2008

CLEARWATER - The Federal Trade Commission today announced the results of Operation Tele-Phoney, which the agency described as the largest telemarketing investigation in history. The effort involved cooperation with Canada, federal authorities involved with the investigation said at a webcast press conference in Washington this morning. ...more

May 20, 2008

Before the drug deal that led to her death went down, confidential informant Rachel Hoffman called investigators to tell them the location of the meeting had changed. ...more

May 13, 2008

MANATEE COUNTY — Sheriff's officials arrested 11 people in a raid Thursday night that they say broke up a loose-knit but active drug gang. ...more

May 9, 2008

The specter of shuttered courthouses from Key West to Pensacola was raised Wednesday after local chief judges said they and others were told to furlough key employees to save about $17 million statewide. ...more

February 21, 2008

WEEKI WACHEE - Things are going swimmingly in Weeki Wachee Springs. ...more

February 18, 2008

WEEKI WACHEE - A years-long dispute between the company that runs the famous mermaid attraction and a water management district that owns the property is officially put to rest Monday. ...more

February 18, 2008