BREAKING NEWS Rafael strengthens into Cat 1 hurricane

Wendy’s investigating ‘unusual activity’ on payment cards

NEW YORK (AP) – Wendy’s says it is investigating reports of “unusual activity” on payment cards that had been used at some of its restaurants. The company says it learned from payment industry contacts this month of reports indicating fraudulent charges may have occurred on cards that had been used legitimately at some of its […]

Possible tornado tosses vehicle along Florida’s Turnpike

MIAMI (AP) – A possible tornado picked up a southbound vehicle on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Lauderdale and dropped it in the northbound lane as a line of severe storms hit the area, officials said Wednesday morning. They said the storms tossed cars and trucks, knocked down trees and damaged some roofs in south Florida. […]

Coca-Cola announces about 70 layoffs at Brandon office

BRANDON, Fla. (AP) – About 70 employees at Coca-Cola’s Finance Shared Services office in Hillsborough County are expected to receive layoff notices this week. The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/1QrpmR1 ) reports that employees at the company’s Brandon complex began getting notification of the layoffs Tuesday. Everyone is expected to get notification of their job status by […]

Convicted felon linked to 2 unsolved Lee County crimes

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A registered convicted felon has been identified as a suspect in a Circle K robbery and an attempted robbery of a Regions Bank in Lee County. Robert Percoski, 37, was already behind bars at the Lee County jail facing charges for selling heroin, cocaine possession, and grand theft, when authorities linked him to the other crimes. On […]

New penalties proposed for passing school buses illegally

FORT MYERS, Fla.- When it comes to passing school buses legally, Florida drivers are getting a failing grade. A newly released report shows tens of thousands of people blew past school buses in Florida when they were stopped. “It’s difficult, it’s very scary and I think it’s something that if it’s happening on a routine basis […]

Task force recommends how to cut US prisoner count by 60,000

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department should limit the types of cases it brings and more nonviolent criminals should be steered toward probation and away from prison, according to task force recommendations designed to cut the federal inmate count and save more than $5 billion in the coming years. The suggestions were released Tuesday amid […]

New children’s hospital bringing the classroom to the patient

FORT MYERS, Fla.- For 11-year-old Koreeanna Myers, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, a trip to the hospital is too frequent. She finds herself at the HealthPark Medical Center for weeks at a time and that means missing out on school, but the doesn’t mean the education stops. Garret Gablehouse, the hospital’s school teacher, and Koreeanna are thrilled […]

French taxis, air traffic controllers, schools on strike

PARIS (AP) – Paris police fired tear gas and taxi drivers lit bonfires on a major highway Tuesday amid nationwide strikes and protests over working conditions and competition from non-traditional services such as Uber. Prime Minister Manuel Valls met with taxi drivers in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions. He condemned the drivers’ violence but […]

Saudi races to attract investment, create jobs in overhaul

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Saudi Arabia is racing to attract more investment and overhaul its economy as low oil prices expose it to urgent domestic challenges. For months, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been working with teams of international consultants, regulators, advisers and government agencies to launch a “National Transformation […]