Chain store sales fell for the fourth consecutive month, but the losses were not as severe as anticipated. ...more

February 8, 2009

WASHINGTON - Recession-battered employers eliminated 598,000 jobs in January, the most since the end of 1974, and catapulted the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent. The grim figures were further proof that the nation's job climate is deteriorating at an alarming clip with no end in sight. ...more

February 6, 2009

Most states, including Florida, had safer roads last year – and higher gas prices might have been the reason. ...more

February 5, 2009

The continuing decline in the local economy will force Hillsborough County commissioners to sharpen their budget knives again this year and consider more layoffs. ...more

February 5, 2009

General Motors Corp. will offer buyouts to all of its hourly employees, a spokesman confirmed Tuesday, as the troubled automaker continues to slash costs. ...more

February 3, 2009

If you felt financially squeezed in the last few months of 2008, you weren't the only one. On Friday, the Commerce Department announced that the economy shrank at a 3.8 percent pace in the final quarter, the worst showing in a quarter-century. ...more

January 31, 2009

John W. Allman's entertaining and spirited look at Pittsburgh Steelers bars in the Tampa Bay area gave a somewhat misleading explanation for the dearth of hangouts for local Phoenix Cardinals fans - the idea that the Steelers' six Super Bowl appearances and record five victories give the storied franchise a vast national popularity ("Steelers On Tap At Local Pubs," Jan. 27). ...more

January 29, 2009

Starbucks is reporting that its profit dropped 69 percent in its fiscal first quarter and it plans to close more stores and cut more jobs. ...more

January 28, 2009

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport reported a 1 percent decline in ridership in 2008, holding mostly steady thanks to a big surge in passengers for Allegiant Air and gains in Canadian traffic. ...more

January 15, 2009

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport reported a 1 percent decline in ridership in 2008, holding mostly steady thanks to a big surge in ridership by Allegiant Air and gains in Canadian traffic. ...more

January 14, 2009