TAMPA BAY AREA Hotel Building Ballroom The Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel in downtown Tampa has begun construction of a $3 million riverfront ballroom as part of $6 million in upgrades since Virginia-based Crescent Hotels and Resorts bought the hotel in September. ...more

May 21, 2008

Struggling with soaring food costs and cash-strapped customers, restaurants across the country are swapping expensive ingredients for cheaper fare and adding new dishes that won't break their bottom line. ...more

May 9, 2008

SEBRING — High gas and diesel prices have not only strained family budgets, but are challenging the school district's Food Service Department, which is trying to the hold the line on food costs and lunch prices. Food costs for the district have increased about 8 to 12 percent, said Martha Brown, food service coordinator. The district will have to seriously consider raising lunch prices, she said. Last year, the school board tentatively said lunch prices could be raised 25 cents in the fall, but the board would have to review the food service budget to make that decision, Brown added. ...more

May 4, 2008

When soaring food prices sparked deadly riots across Haiti, many expected that people along the cactus-studded northern coast would do what they traditionally do in times of crisis: take to the seas and head for the United States. ...more

May 4, 2008

Consumers paid more to fill up their gas tanks, buy groceries and go to the hospital in January as prices on a wide range of items pushed higher. ...more

February 21, 2008

While the origins of the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may be a mystery, one thing is certain: It's getting more costly to buy your true love all the items mentioned. ...more

November 26, 2007

Construction of new homes plunged to the lowest level in 14 years in September as turmoil in credit markets intensified problems in the housing industry. Consumer prices, meanwhile, rose at the fastest pace in four months, reflecting higher energy and food costs. ...more

October 18, 2007

Here's a number that may seem surprising: More than 75 million dogs live in American households. ...more

October 6, 2007

Here's a number that may seem surprising: More than 75 million dogs live in American households. ...more

October 5, 2007