How sour is the public mood? An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found about half of people believe 2008 was one of the worst years in American history. At times, Abraham Lincoln's lament has seemed apt, "We live in the midst of alarms; anxiety beclouds the future; we expect some new disaster with each newspaper we read." ...more

January 3, 2009 |

Allen & Company Inc. of Florida and the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce present the 22nd annual Economic Forecast Breakfast to be held on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at The Lakeland Center. ...more

December 28, 2008 |

I have heard a lot of chatter about an auto bailout now being addressed by our government. ...more

December 28, 2008 |

Michael N. Mattia of Tarpon Springs denounces city commissioners as the Bayou Barons for opposing Wal-Mart Supercenter on U.S. 19. ...more

December 27, 2008 |

Had it not been for the food writing of Jeff Houck, I am 1,000 percent positive I would no longer be a subscriber to The Tampa Tribune. The paper has dismissed all of the columnists I have read for years. You've had tons of messages about them, so you know who I am talking about. ...more

December 22, 2008 |

National Public Radio said Wednesday that it's laying off 7 percent of its staff, its first layoffs in 12 years, after experiencing sharp declines in funding, especially from corporate sponsors. ...more

December 11, 2008 |

"The Man Who Owns the News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch," by Michael Wolff (Broadway Books, $29.95) ...more

December 7, 2008 |

Four years ago after what was then the most expensive presidential election in history, much was made of the cost. ...more

November 30, 2008 |

many who were members of the Middle Class only a few months ago - are putting an unprecedented strain on the nation's food banks. And it isn't just a worry on Thanksgiving Day. ...more

November 27, 2008 |

The homeless beggar near the office was smoking a cigarette and had a pack in this shirt pocket as he offered his cup for a handout. ...more

November 24, 2008 |