Monday, January 14, 2013
Conservative groups are asking people across the nation – and right here in Tampa Bay – to show their support for the 2nd Amendment on Jan. 19. Will you support the movement?
As politicians line up to support stricter gun control measures in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre, conservative groups have joined forces to draw a line in the sand. The result: Gun Appreciation Day. Set for Jan. 19 – not coincidentally two days before President Barack Obama’s second inauguration – the observance is meant to be a national show of force in favor of gun owners’ rights. Support for the movement has come in from such sponsors as the Second Amendment Foundation, Special Operations Speaks, the Women Warriors PAC and others. The groups are asking people around the country, and right here in the Tampa Bay area, to “go to your local gun store, gun range or gun show with your Constitution, American flags and your ‘…
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The state may overtake New York in population size, with 60 percent of new residents moving from other U.S. states and 40 percent from abroad.
Florida's population is surging – again! The Sunshine State is on a path to push past New York and become the third most-populous state in the nation, according to the the U.S. Census. About 60 percent of the new residents are from other U.S. states, and 40 percent are from abroad, according to University of Florida researchers. Is this a good trend for Florida, its economy and future? What do you think? According to the U.S. Census: "Florida's total population growth of 219,000 during 2010–2011 ranked third behind Texas (421,215, 1st) and California (353,714, 2nd) in the United States. Florida remains the fourth largest state in the country. The data also reveal that if Florida maintains this growth rate and if New York maintains its …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
With an end to the NHL lockout in sight, will you be watching the Lightning play hockey this year?
The Tampa Bay Lightning are wasting no time preparing for what will be an abbreviated season thanks to the National Hockey League’s 100-plus-day lockout. The team announced that ice installation at the Tampa Bay Times Forum is scheduled for today. In fact, painting is expected to begin this afternoon. “The Times Forum staff began by laying down a base coat of ice this morning,” a Lightning media release stated. All of this is in preparation for what will now be an abbreviated season thanks to the negotiation breakdown between the players’ union and the league. The end of the lockout was announced on Sunday. While it remains unclear how many games will be a part of the shortened 2012-13 season or when games will officially start, the …
Monday, January 7, 2013
Florida's governor is 'not so good' or 'poor' on the job, according to 42 percent of the respondents in a newly released poll.
A newly released poll shows that Gov. Rick Scott is not winning any popularity contests in Tampa Bay's two largest counties, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Most of the respondents surveyed in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties rated Florida's governor as "poor" or "not so good." A little more than a quarter ranked Scott as just "average." Less than a quarter thought the governor does a "good" or "excellent" job, according to the Tampa Bay Times-Bay News 9-AM 820 poll. What do you think? Is the governor doing a good job running the state? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Here's a closer look at the numbers: According to the Tampa Bay Times: Of the two counties, Scott's numbers are substantially worse in Pinellas. While 33 …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Home sales are up from a year ago. Unemployment is down. But are we out of the woods yet? What do you think?
The difficult economy seems like the new normal after so many years of booming real estate and job growth in the Sunshine State. It seemed like overnight that Florida turned into a leader in foreclosures. Many homeowners, burdened with expensive houses and equity loans, were suddenly "underwater." Although the good times are not back, the real estate industry is reporting some important gains. According to the Realty Times: The Tampa Tribune is also reporting that some builders are moving forward with plans to develop new subdivisions. In addition, unemployment is at its lowest point in eight years, according to state numbers for November. Patch wants to know what you think. Is the bust over? Is Florida out of the woods yet? At the start …
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
President Barack Obama thinks it’s time to give Congress and federal employees a raise. What do you think, Tampa Bay?
Update, Jan. 3 1:24 p.m.: The U.S. House has voted to block the pay raise, according to the Washington Post. Earlier: Vice President Joe Biden will earn $231,900 a year. House Speaker John Boehner will get $224,500. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s pay will change to $194,400 annually. Those figures, according to the Huffington Post, represent the salaries of some of America’s top politicians after a half-percent pay increase goes into effect for all members of Congress, the vice president and federal employees in March 2013. There are 2.8 million federal workers. President Barack Obama signed an executive order removing the pay freeze on federal positions in the midst of the fiscal cliff negotiations. The act effectively raises the pay…
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A new poll suggests taxpayers in several Bay area counties are now willing to pay higher taxes to have mass transit. Do you agree?
Go to Atlanta and you can jump on the MARTA to get where you’re going. Visit San Francisco and there’s the BART standing ready to help you get around. New York City has its subway and Chicago has the “L.” Commuter rail and extensive mass transit systems are a way of life in most major metropolitan areas in America. What about Tampa Bay? Live or visit here and the best you can do to get around without hoofing it is to get a car, call a taxi or hop on a bus (in areas that have bus service at all). A new poll sponsored by Bay News 9, The Tampa Bay Times and AM 820 News Tampa Bay seems to indicate the winds are changing in favor of the Bay area getting its own commuter light rail system. While a proposed 1-cent sales tax increase to fund mass …
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
As Washington works to head off the so-called fiscal cliff, we’d like to hear from you on how the possible tax hikes would impact your family right here in Tampa Bay.
With New Year’s just around the corner, all eyes are turning to Washington, D.C., where lawmakers are working to prevent America from falling off the so-called fiscal cliff. That cliff, according to the Huffington Post, is the automatic activation of budget cuts and tax hikes that will kick in on Jan. 1, 2013, if something isn’t done to prevent them. As it stands right now, no agreement has been reached between the Democrats and Republicans to prevent the financial changes from occurring. Some economists say the budget cuts and tax hikes will catapult America back into another recession. President Barack Obama is cutting his holiday vacation short, according to the Post, and is returning to Washington to try and work out a deal. …
Friday, December 21, 2012
We want to know what Christmas program gets you to turn on and tune in Tampa Bay!
Just turn on a television and it is quite clear the holidays are almost here. Christmas specials top the programming lineup on many stations, and for good reason: people tune in to watch them. After all, why would ABC Family dedicate 25 days to Christmas if folks like us didn’t flip the switch to watch? Many of us even have a secret favorite that we can’t wait to watch each year. Seeing it makes the season just a little merrier. (For me, it’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”) And that’s what we want to talk to you about today, Tampa Bay! We want to know which holiday special is your must-watch of the season. Whatever the case, Tampa Bay, we to hear your thoughts! What’s your absolute favorite, must-watch TV special at the holidays? Why do you …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
In light of the Newtown, Conn., shootings major retailers across the county are pulling certain assault weapons from their shelves. The National Rifle Association has even issued a statement that it’s ready to make “meaningful contributions.”
As the cry for tighter gun control laws sounds louder throughout America and right here in Tampa Bay, major retailers are reacting. Walmart has announced plans to stop selling the Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3 Rifle through its online store. That particular assault rifle is in the same family of guns as the one Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old shooter in the Newtown massacre, reportedly used in the massacre, the Huffington Post reports. Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has a number of Tampa Bay area locations, has also announced a shift in its stocking preferences. That store has suspended the sale of some semi-automatic weapons from all stores in the chain. In a statement, the store said it ordered the move out of respect for the victims …
erik
10:54 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
You don't really say anything in this post, except attempt to toot your own horn, and make claims about Mark Twain that you are not competent to do. more ›