West Coast

Naples Daily News Week in Review: Hertz welcomed, Toys for Tots operations halted

Were you out of town last week or too busy to follow the local headlines? Here is a look back at the week that was in Southwest Florida:

Tampa Tribune Meetings to gauge the impact of cuts on poor

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Wigan beats Man City to win FA Cup for first time

Sarasota Herald-Tribune SPECIAL REPORT: Florida's delegation one of most well-traveled

Florida's congressional representatives said the nearly $100,000 in reported travel expenses last year was necessary to do their jobs.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune SPECIAL REPORT: Finding Congress' frequent fliers

Even as they called for fiscal restraint in 2012, lawmakers spent more on travel than in the previous two years, visiting 90 countries and every continent except Antarctica, a Herald-Tribune investigation found.

Naples Daily News Hertz means more than just jobs to Southwest Florida

In New Jersey, Hertz has a reputation for philanthropy and civic leadership. But what will the company bring to Southwest Florida? Local leaders say a lot.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Home sales statistics healthier in Florida

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida jobs up by nearly 10,000

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Business buzz: Venice medical center; Fun Machines; Samaritan accreditation

Naples Daily News NCH objects to HMA's plans for rehab center on Collier Boulevard

Naples-based HMA has proposed a medical rehabilitation center in Collier County, but NCH Healthcare officials have objected to the state. Will that mean an end to the plans?

Naples Daily News Hedge funds, investors grabbing up real estate in some parts of Florida

Hedge fund operators are targeting homes to acquire in some parts of Florida, but not everyone sees that as a trend in Collier County. Experts offer their opinions on hedge fund acquisitions and how they affect the market.

Naples Daily News Phone call between Hiller, advisory board chair raises ethics questions

A phone call between Commissioner Georgia Hiller and Public Safety Authority Chairan Reg Buxton is raising ethics questions among some of their colleagues, who question whether Hiller was trying to influence the board.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Capitol Comment: A win for makers of generic drugs

In fight over biologics and biosimilars, big money was at play on both sides.

Tampa Tribune Crist support for gay marriage part of long trend

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Americas Cup yacht nosedived, broke into pieces

Naples Daily News Gov. Scott has two weeks to decide on state budget vetoes

Florida Gov. Rick Scott can use his veto pen to wipe out individual spending items in the budget. Scott already has warned legislators that he expects them to justify the millions they put in the budget for hometown projects.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Will Scott veto Florida tuition hikes?

On Friday, Scott did not definitively say he would veto the tuition increase. But he came very close.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Senator calls for end to island tourist 'shakedown'

Sen. Bill Nelson widens his request for an inquiry into the arrests of two Americans on charges they each had hidden a bullet in their luggage as they were leaving the Turks and Caicos.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune FAA will keep Punta Gorda Airport tower open

Agency will fund the tower through the end of the fiscal year, according to the airport's executive director.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune College graduates face tough job market

Sarasota Herald-Tribune SouthTech named Small Business of the Year

Sarasota small businesses recognized during awards ceremony.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Guy Peterson house turns heads in Sarasota

Tongues are wagging as people seem to love or hate the modernist home on Orange Avenue at Prospect Street.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Detert testifies in Washington on foster care

State senator from Venice says regulations meant to help children often do more harm than good.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Live: 2013 Small Business Awards

Herald-Tribune staffers tweet from the 23rd Annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards

Sarasota Herald-Tribune 'Ring of fire' eclipse crosses Australia, Pacific

Sarasota Herald-Tribune NASA: Space station power system radiator leaking

Naples Daily News Out of this world: Naples travel agency offers trips to space

A Naples travel agency is sending tourists on an out-of-this-world trip with a hefty price tag.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Buchanan plans town hall meeting in Holmes Beach

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Small business awards to be given out today

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Senators want quick investigation into island arrests

Sen. Bill Nelson's action comes after retired Sarasota doctor is jailed after Turks and Caicos police say they found a single bullet in his luggage.