Florida's
largest private homeowners insurer, State Farm Florida, announced plans
today to stop offering property insurance in the state.  WGCU's John
Davis Reports

The
number of existing homes sold in Florida continued to increase last
month compared to the year before…but once again not as fast as the
price of those homes continued to drop.

A growing number of people are being forced to give up their pets during
this tough economy.  But one local agency hopes to prevent that from
happening.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has this report.

Nearly one in ten Floridians is now on food stamps. In the last two years the number has increased by more than 40 percent - with 1.7 million families and individuals now getting assistance. According to federal officials the increase is the largest in the nation. And Lee County has the dubious distinction of leading the state. WGCU’s Valerie Alker talked to people signing up for food stamps and has this report.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is reaching out to homeowners in Lee County. She’s offering a workshop this weekend to help people facing foreclosure. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has this report.

In Lee County, nearly ten percent of the labor force is out of work. That’s the highest level this region has seen in more than a half-century. But business is booming at one place...the One Stop Career Center in Ft. Myers. It’s where people who’ve been laid off can pick up forms to file for unemployment benefits. But more people are also coming in to take advantage of free serves to help them get back to work. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Contributions to Florida Power and Light’s “Care to Share” program are down – even as demand for help paying utility bills is up.  Valerie Alker reports.
 

 

The number of existing homes sold in Florida continued to increase last month versus a year ago…but not nearly as quickly as the price of those homes continued to drop.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more.

Florida legislators are preparing for a special session next month to make up a 2.3 billion dollar budget deficit. Democratic State Senator, Dave Aronberg, who voted against the budget last year, is heading to Tallahassee with a sense of frustration. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

In the midst of what many are calling the worst economy since the great depression, Lee County is offering millions of dollars in cash grants to lure what it calls ‘high value’ businesses to town. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry reports.