Japan encourages young people to drink more alcohol
Japan's tax revenues from alcohol sales have plummeted due to COVID-19.
MLB struggles to get attendance back to pre-pandemic levels
Blame it on lingering effects of the pandemic, resentment over the lockout or fears over the economy.
Marco Rubio pushes to deepen Port Tampa Bay to ease supply chain woes
More than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a global shutdown, supply chain issues continue to cause major disruptions in the global shipping industry.
Arizona is most guilty of COVID-19 'panic buying,' study says
Researchers are revealing the top states guilty of COVID-19 “panic buying," and Arizona sits at the top of the list. We have how other states rank on the list, too!
COVID-19 testing requirement lifted as cases climb across the country
International travelers don’t have to take a COVID-19 test to get into the U.S. starting Sunday, and the change comes as infections climb in states across the country and in Tampa Bay.
Local nonprofit resources strained as inflation surges
Buying food isn’t just getting harder for families in need, it’s hitting the nonprofits that help them. Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries said surging inflation is straining resources, and both nonprofits said workers are seeing a record number of families needing help.
Court rules against Florida businesses on COVID-19 insurance coverage
A federal appeals court Thursday rejected arguments by Florida restaurants and a furniture retailer that insurance policies should have covered losses stemming from shutdowns early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-profit helps those with disabilities find work at businesses facing labor shortages
The non-profit helps place with all kinds of disabilities, and the agency can boast quite a roster of business partners. Publix, Walmart and Amazon have all worked with employU to fill open positions.
Dr. Fauci says the ‘US is out of the pandemic phase’
Dr. Anthony Fauci said COVID-19 infections and deaths are at a lower level in the U.S., but people should still get 'intermittently' vaccinated.
Polk County fish producer benefits from pandemic boom in tropical fish
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Polk County man hasn't been able to keep up with the demand for the fish he raises at Urban Tropical, his farm in North Lakeland.
Manatee Technical College offers fast track to success for students looking for career change
Manatee Technical College is working to put students looking for a career change on the fast track to success. Many of the future employees' careers were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDC drops COVID-19 health warning for cruise ship travelers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that they will leave it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship. The cruise-line industry is happy about the move.
Donors needed: Breast milk in short supply amid COVID-19 surge, winter weather woes
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America said it is in urgent need of donor breast milk which is essential to “saving the most vulnerable babies’ lives.”
US job growth soars past expectations with 467,000 added, shaking off omicron surge
U.S. job growth blew past expectations in January, as the economy brushed off a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide that threatened to sideline millions of workers and kept many consumers at home.
Companies allow people to opt-out of Valentine’s Day emails
As interest in celebrating Valentine’s Day gradually declines, companies are giving consumers a chance to opt-out of those marketing emails that seem to bombard your inbox any time a holiday approaches.
Biden administration officially withdraws COVID-19 vaccine rule
The Biden administration has officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.
CDC warns against cruise ship travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation Thursday telling people to avoid getting on cruise ships.
Florida gas prices drop amid omicron variant concerns
Average gasoline prices in Florida dropped four cents during the past week and are expected to continue to fall because of concerns about how the omicron variant of the coronavirus could affect global fuel demand, according to the AAA auto club.
Polk State College eliminating $1.2 million in student debt for nearly 1,300 students
A lot of Polk State College students just got an unexpected early Christmas present. On Friday, the college announced that is forgiving 1,300 student loans, covering a variety of expenses from tuition to books to lab fees.
Powell says Federal Reserve may accelerate pullback in economic support
Chair Jerome Powell said that the Federal Reserve will consider acting more quickly to dial back its ultra-low-interest rate policies to counter higher inflation.