Stop Texting and Drive! That's the "message" that state Sen. Carey Baker is sending to Florida drivers who exchange short text messages on their cell phones and other handheld devices while en route. ...more

February 16, 2009

In the weeks and months before Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on charges he tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat, Roland Burris, whom Blagojevich would ultimately appoint to the Senate, had conversations about the seat with the governor's brother, his chief of staff, and one of his top fundraisers, Burris has acknowledged. ...more

February 15, 2009

House foundations aren't all they're cracked up to be, Pasco County commissioners discussed this week. ...more

February 4, 2009

The Seminole tribe is offering an instant $288 million and the promise of thousands of new jobs to state lawmakers reviewing the tribe's gambling compact. ...more

February 3, 2009

State lawmakers in the West Pasco area are taking up the cause of protecting informants after Rachel Hoffman, a Florida State University graduate, was killed during a botched drug sting operation by police. The proposal, called Rachel's Law, has the backing of state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, and state Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs. ...more

January 28, 2009

"Dateline NBC" will air a report tonight into the case of Rachel Hoffman, a Clearwater resident fatally shot in May while acting as a confidential informant for Tallahassee police. ...more

January 23, 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 19, 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

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

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