Fireworks could erupt this afternoon when the Hillsborough County Commission takes its first hard look at next year's budget shortfall. County Administrator Pat Bean surprised some commissioners Friday when she said the bleak economic outlook could force her to lay off 1,000 employees over the next two years. Commissioner Al Higginbotham questioned whether so many layoffs are necessary, and he accused Bean of using the layoff announcement to pressure Sheriff David Gee into reducing his workforce. ...more

March 31, 2009

COMING SOON TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU! REALITY TV LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE! BE A PART OF THE MEETINGS THAT NEVER END! ...more

March 29, 2009

By the time the 2009 season kicks off in the fall, the Brandon Valrico Rams should be ready to block, sack and tackle on a new home field. ...more

March 25, 2009

A zoning hearing master is recommending approval of a rezoning request that would allow eight more houses in an environmentally sensitive area along the Little Manatee River. ...more

March 25, 2009

Just 10 weeks into her tenure as the county's elections supervisor, Phyllis Busansky continues to benefit from a simple fact: She's not Buddy Johnson. ...more

March 19, 2009

Michelle B. Patty defiantly used her local radio show Sunday to deny she paid a woman $100 to campaign for then-Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson. ...more

March 17, 2009

Raising redfish to release into Tampa Bay may be a worthy undertaking, but raising the fry on taxpayer-owned environmental lands isn't a plan the property's overseers easily can support. ...more

March 12, 2009

Raising redfish to release into Tampa Bay may be a worthy undertaking. But raising the fry in buildings with parking lots on taxpayer-owned environmental lands isn't a plan the property's overseers can easily support. ...more

March 11, 2009

After cutting millions from its budget and laying off staff, the University of South Florida gave bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to four high-level employees in January. ...more

March 11, 2009

The Florida House of Representatives is cynically using the economic downturn to justify an effort to gut measures that protect neighborhoods, taxpayers and natural resources. ...more

March 10, 2009