Florida could get about $4.3 billion in added federal Medicaid funding this year under the $825 billion economic recovery package being crafted by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, said Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa. ...more

January 23, 2009

It was like something out of a dream. A marching throng of 75 three- to five-year-old preschoolers walking hand-in-hand, ringing bells, smacking tambourines and singing "Happy Birthday" to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ...more

January 19, 2009

It's a chance to gain independence from welfare, to find a job and possibly buy a home. ...more

January 12, 2009

Low-income housing developer Sylvia Alvarez, whose most recent project faces foreclosure, has been approved for a $50,000 federal grant through Hillsborough County's Affordable Housing Office. ...more

December 31, 2008

An excited buzz sounded from the 50 pre-school children at the Redlands Christian Migrant Association's Hope Villa day care center on Youth Care Lane Friday afternoon when Santa Claus arrived - riding in a motorcycle sidecar. ...more

December 20, 2008

Hillsborough and its surrounding counties have some of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. ...more

December 17, 2008

Hillsborough and its surrounding counties have some of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. ...more

December 17, 2008

Most people who peruse the "Dear Santa" letters tucked inside a binder at the Victorian Village gifts and collectible store are not surprised to see a skateboard and bicycle among the items on 5-year-old Dion's wish list. ...more

December 10, 2008

Things not going well? Cheer up. It could be worse. You could be a member of the Pinellas County School Board. ...more

December 6, 2008

Warmed by hoodies, sweaters and jackets, more than 100 kindergartners sat on the curb singing Christmas carols with their teachers. Oblivious to the chill in the air, they turned their eager faces toward an approaching fire truck. It was Santa, riding high atop a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue hook and ladder. The jolly old soul came to Wimauma Elementary School as part of an annual holiday event sponsored by Frozen & Refrigerated Foods of Central Florida, a nonprofit association based in Clearwater. ...more

December 3, 2008