TBO Money

Rays panel may brief Hillsborough

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:26:14 EST

First, the coalition studying the Tampa Bay Rays stadium options suggested the best stadium location could be in Hillsborough County, to the chagrin of St. Petersburg leaders.

2008 vehicles posted better fuel efficiency

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The fleet of new cars and trucks sold to U.S. consumers averaged 21 miles per gallon in the 2008 model year, a modest increase over the previous year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported Friday.

BIZ BITS

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Odyssey to buy company stake Tampa treasure-hunting company Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. announced a deal Friday to acquire a minority interest in SMM Project LLC, which controls licenses for mineral exploration of about 150,000 square kilometers of Pacific Ocean floor. Odyssey expects to dedicate a ship, technology and supervision to explore for deep-ocean gold, copper and silver deposits.

Citizens Property Insurance gets approval to raise rates

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Florida has OK'd rate increases for the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Foreclosures auctions in Pasco going online

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Pasco County is moving its foreclosure auctions from the courthouse to the Internet. The county will hold its first Web site auction on Monday and phase out on-site sales by Dec. 15.

Toy hamster craze reflects economic ills

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

In a world full of economic indicators, the best one during the holiday season may prove to be a furry toy hamster.

St. Pete Times sells its last D.C. publication

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The parent company of the St. Petersburg Times is selling the last of the company's Washington-based publications.

Jobless rate up in Florida but down in Bay area

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Florida's unemployment rate increased slightly to 11.2 percent in October, while the Tampa Bay area's rate decreased slightly to 11.7 percent, according to figures released Friday.

E-reader Nook sells out, will be late for holidays

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Consumers who have not yet ordered Barnes & Noble's electronic book reader, the Nook, won't see one for the holidays.

At your fingertips: PC options grow as the units shrink

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

This holiday season is a great time to buy a PC. There's a nice new version of Windows out, and computer manufacturers are adding interesting technologies. Here's a guide to what's fresh in PCs, ranging from netbooks to supersize, all-in-one desktop computers.

Americans save more but earn less as rates fall

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST

We're finally becoming a nation of savers. Now if only we could get something for our money.

Thanksgiving travel will be up, AAA says

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:06:00 EST

More Americans intend to travel for Thanksgiving this year than a year ago, although they remain wary of the poor economy, AAA Auto Club South said this week in its holiday travel preview.

Times sells magazine to publisher with ties to Scientology

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST

The Times Publishing Company announced a deal selling "Governing" magazine to e.Republic, a Sacramento, Calif.-based media company that publishes "Government Technology" magazine and has ties to the Church of Scientology.

Pasco County moves foreclosure auctions to the Web

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:22:00 EST

Pasco County is moving its foreclosure auctions from the courthouse to the Internet.

A wary buyer's guide to holiday shopping

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST

Expect some up-close and personal attention from sales employees at hhgregg when you walk in the door of the electronics retailer.

Jobless rate up slightly in Florida, down in Tampa Bay area

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:50:00 EST

Florida's unemployment rate increased slightly to 11.2 percent in October, while the Tampa Bay area's rate decreased slightly to 11.7 percent, according to figures released today.

Be thankful for lower food prices this holiday season

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:18:00 EST

For a brief window, we're living in a remarkably cheap moment in grocery shopping.

Trump is hoping to add vigor to vitamin business

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

It's like "The Apprentice" meets Amway. Donald Trump is synonymous with luxury high-rises, his TV show and his distinctive hairstyle. Now he's putting his name on a vitamin and health products business whose salespeople make money by recruiting more salespeople.

Hyatt opening with grand offers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in mid-January, and reservations are being accepted for stays that will begin on Feb. 1, a Hyatt spokeswoman said.

BIZ BITS

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Google offers peek at operating system Google Inc.'s new operating system, which is designed to bypass computer hard drives and work totally through the Internet, got its first public exposure Thursday.