Florida International Air Show returning to Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- The Florida International Air Show is taking flight once again in Punta Gorda after organizers canceled the event in 2015. The Air Show is scheduled for Oct. 21 through Oct. 23 at the Punta Gorda Airport. “This is a new chapter for the Florida International Air Show,” said Tyler Ezzi, Air Show […]

Collier EMS worker arrested in theft of pain medication

NAPLES, Fla.- A Collier County EMS worker told police he was planning to commit suicide when he allegedly stole pain medication from an ambulance. Collier County EMS Chief Walter Kopka confirms 34-year-old Andrew Seager is currently on unpaid leave. Collier County deputies say Seager, who has worked as a paramedic in the county for 10 years, allegedly stole two vials of […]

Senate panel backs bill to drop wolf protections in 4 states

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Senate committee has approved a Republican amendment to strip federal protection from gray wolves in three Great Lakes states and Wyoming. The measure also prohibits courts from intervening in those states on behalf of the embattled predator. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming sponsored the amendment to delist the gray wolf in […]

Watchdog faults FAA’s air traffic control operations

WASHINGTON (AP) – Spending on air traffic control operations has doubled over two decades, while productivity has declined substantially and efforts to improve performance have been ineffective, according to a report released Wednesday by a government watchdog. The report by the Transportation Department’s inspector general blames the decline in productivity at air traffic facilities on […]

Staples, Office Depot plan to extend deadline for deal

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) – Staples and Office Depot are planning to extend the deadline to get their business combination done. The office supply companies said Wednesday that the extension allows for the completion of ongoing federal district court litigation with the Federal Trade Commission. Last month federal regulators rejected an offer from Staples to sell […]

GOP candidate Kasich addresses NH House ahead of primary

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Ohio Gov. John Kasich praised the New Hampshire Legislature on Wednesday for expanding Medicaid under the president’s health care overhaul law – a rare move for GOP presidential contender – saying that the decision saved lives. “I took $14 billion dollars over the next two years back to Ohio from Washington […]

UN calls for better protection of female refugees in Europe

BERLIN (AP) – Three aid agencies are appealing to European countries to help prevent sexual abuse of women and girls in refugee camps. The United Nations refugee agency, the U.N. Population Fund and the Women’s Refugee Commission say a field study shows women are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and other abuse on their journey […]

Oil prices tumble, but stocks trim losses after big slump

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. stocks recovered much of an early plunge Wednesday, but the price of oil still suffered its worst one-day drop since September. Energy companies were pummeled as the latest fall in the price of oil threatened more damage to an industry that has already been stricken with bankruptcies, layoffs and other […]

Wal-Mart to give pay raises to most of its workers

NEW YORK (AP) – Most of Wal-Mart’s U.S. employees will get raises as part of the world’s largest retailer’s previously announced commitment to invest in its workforce. Wal-Mart, which announced in October that it would invest $2.7 billion in its workforce over two years, said more than 1.2 million U.S. hourly workers will receive pay […]

SeaWorld removing lifting floors from orca pools

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – SeaWorld officials say they are getting rid of lifting floors in the company’s killer whale pools that were installed after the death of trainer because they are no longer needed. SeaWorld officials said Wednesday that the floors will be removed at its parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio. The […]