7-Eleven, Inc., the world's largest convenience retailer and ranked among U.S. top franchisors, is continuing its plan to convert the vast majority of its company-operated stores into franchised operations in the U.S. by 2012. The conversion of company-operated stores in some markets began in 2006. Approximately 4,100, or 75 percent, of 7-Eleven, Inc.'s more than 5,600 U.S. stores are now franchised. ...more

November 16, 2008

China has announced a $586 billion spending package to boost domestic demand while vowing to carry out "moderately easy monetary policies." ...more

November 9, 2008

Oops, they did it again. Members of the Tarpon Springs City Commission have put themselves in a pickle by voting 3-2 Tuesday that a concurrency certificate in Wal-Mart's site plan had expired. ...more

October 25, 2008

On Tuesday, the Highlands County commissioners will consider a major change in the way impact fees are paid. ...more

October 5, 2008

Arrests of people entering the United States illegally along the busiest stretch for such crossings fell for a second year, possibly reflecting economic conditions in both countries, a spokesman said Friday. ...more

October 4, 2008

Consider this when deciding on the next president of our country: After seven years of a Republican presidency, our economy is crumbling as is our infrastructure. We have no comprehensive energy policy. Health care is in trouble; education is slipping; oil companies have sucked billions from us in subsidies and at the gas pumps. Corporate boards, CEOs, CFOs and Wall Street investment bankers have robbed us. We have killed thousands and spent billions on an unnecessary war in Iraq. Our national debt is now over $10 trillion and the Republicans think they should stay in the White House. What's wrong with this picture? ...more

September 22, 2008

The bank account Pasco County has used for years to underwrite neighborhood road paving projects is shrinking rapidly, a victim of higher oil prices, the county's chief financial officer said recently. ...more

September 7, 2008

For the longest time it seemed as if the only thing passing between Pasco County government and the Pasco School District was bad blood. Yes, the two did make common cause in the successful effort to convince the county's voters to approve the Penny for Pasco sales tax, the lion's share of which the two sides split. Still, they argued for months and months over the issue of how to pay for the impact of the school construction the Penny helps finance on roads and other county infrastructure. ...more

August 27, 2008

This year's problems with Hillsborough County school buses go beyond late notices to parents of bus stops. ...more

August 21, 2008

Kudos To Rowden With the exception of Hernando County Commissioner Diane Rowden, I cannot understand for the life of me the thought processes of the other four commissioners with respect to impact fees. ...more

July 22, 2008