Universal Orlando this week announced a "Holiday Getaway" hotel and theme park package for Florida residents for as low as $300 for two people for two days of theme park tickets and hotel rooms. The package is available through year's end at hotels including Four Points By Sheraton Studio City and the Hilton Garden Inn. Upgrades at $25 per person per night are available at the Hard Rock Hotel and two Loews resorts. Details are available at universalorlando.com. ...more

November 26, 2008

Lower gas prices won't be enough incentive for some people to leave home for Thanksgiving. ...more

November 20, 2008

Busch Gardens has begun offering Florida residents the 2009 Fun Card, good for year-round admission, including the remaining days in 2008, at $69.95 for adults and $59.95 for ages 3 to 9. ...more

November 18, 2008

Busch Gardens has begun offering Florida residents the 2009 Fun Card, good for year-round admissions, including the remaining days in 2008, at $69.95 for adults and $59.95 for ages 3 to 9. Rates are 8 percent and 9 percent higher, respectively, than the 2008 adult and children Fun Cards. Prices do not include the 7 percent Hillsborough County tax. ...more

November 17, 2008

As the owner of a home care service for senior citizens, Ken Wilson is acutely aware of the dangers older people face when they wander from home. ...more

October 25, 2008

In a brief response to Bill Youngman and anyone considering a yes vote on Amendment Two: Yes, I am a gay man who currently gets no financial or social legal benefits from my union with my partner of 27 years and I am fine with that. But in your defense, Mr. Youngman, the thought of marriage makes me sick and only brings up historically negative connotations such as divorce, spousal mental and physical abuse, drug and alcohol addictions, dead-beat dads, mothers working three jobs or relying on the government to support them. I believe only a very small portion of the gay community wants a home like their friends and neighbors. Yes, judges can overturn current laws, but like California, then Florida residents can vote and decide a less divisive amendment. ...more

October 24, 2008

A noted economics group, partnering with education advocates based at the University of South Florida, says that by investing $1 billion more in higher education, Florida lawmakers will see a 220 percent return on investment. The report from the Washington Economics Group states the money could result in 24,272 permanent jobs for Florida residents and yield $862 million in income. ...more

October 22, 2008

As a general rule, criminals aren't nice people. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Some people simply make mistakes - costly ones, but mistakes nonetheless. Then there are the kinds of bad guys any sane, upstanding person can only describe as despicable. You know, the kind of people you'd love to strangle just on general principles. ...more

October 22, 2008

Cory Zarem saw the construction downturn cut the income from his sign business by half and decided he could no longer afford his Sarasota home. ...more

October 6, 2008

We've been lucky so far in the 2008 hurricane season, but are not yet in the clear. ...more

September 22, 2008