For years there was an annual late-summer rite that occurred all around Florida. The local sheriff, in good economic times or bad, would suggest in a public fashion the bad guys were winning the upper hand and the sheriff's agency needed more money to put extra personnel and equipment on the street to take back the initiative. These days, however, Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats is cutting spending in response to the drop in revenue the county is experiencing as a result of the collapse of the Florida housing industry and the nationwide economic recession. ...more

February 21, 2009

When Progress Energy announced plans more than two years ago to build a nuclear plant in Levy County, the project met little resistance. ...more

February 21, 2009

Despite a downturn in the Florida economy and a 50 percent drop in sponsorship, the third annual Gasparilla International Film Festival will be bigger and better this year, organizers said at a news conference Monday. ...more

February 9, 2009

With the Senate expected to narrowly approve its version of an economic stimulus bill, lawmakers from the House and Senate will face difficult negotiations over spending for tax cuts, education and aid for local governments. ...more

February 8, 2009

Economists are likely to debate the causes and solutions of the financial crisis and economic recession for a long time to come. ...more

February 6, 2009

Bay area leaders kicked off Super Bowl XLIII on Monday, pledging to make the weeklong event a memorable one for visitors while remaining mindful of the economic recession. ...more

January 27, 2009

Harley-Davidson Inc. said Friday that it will cut 1,100 jobs over two years, close some facilities and consolidate others as it grapples with a slowdown in motorcycle sales. ...more

January 24, 2009

The economic recession for Pinellas County's mainstay tourism industry should show signs of turning around in the next six to eight months, the county's tourism consultant said Wednesday. ...more

January 15, 2009

The economic recession for Pinellas County's mainstay tourism industry should show signs of turning around in the next six to eight months, the county's tourism consultant said today. "This is the one industry that is going to lead us out of this mess," said Walter Klages, an economist and head of Research Data Services Inc. of Tampa. "It won't be a robust turnaround, but you will see little things change." ...more

January 14, 2009

An East Tampa nonprofit organization is under scrutiny from the city after falling short on a plan to create jobs with a $250,000 federal development grant. ...more

December 22, 2008