TAMPA PALMS - Most area schools had a majority of their students pass this year's FCAT writing test, with eighth-graders bringing in some of the highest scores. The state Department of Education recently released 2008 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test writing scores. Hillsborough County eighth-graders averaged the highest score in the state. The district earned a 4.6 combined score out of a possible 6. The state average was 4.2. In the Northeast area, the USF Charter School was the only school at which more than half of its students didn't earn a passing score on the test. But the school did see improvement this year, going from 41 percent of students passing in 2007 to 45 percent of students passing in 2008. ...more

May 8, 2008

Former University of South Florida WR Amarri Jackson had the swagger of a first-round draft pick during the first day of Tampa Bay's rookie minicamp. ...more

May 3, 2008

Flash back to Week 17 of the NFL season: The Patriots' road to perfection nearly took a sharp turn off Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike, as the Giants made the visiting Pats work long and hard to complete the first 16-0 regular season in history. ...more

January 28, 2008

NORTH TAMPA - Communication seems to be the biggest issue for Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High both inside and outside the school community. School leaders recently met and reviewed the progress made the first semester and the challenges the school faces. They reviewed a parent survey that revealed families were mostly pleased with the school but wanted to see an improvement in communication. ...more

January 22, 2008

The northwest corner of Raymond James Stadium was suddenly transformed into Meadowlands South late Sunday afternoon as the Giants and their transplanted fans celebrated the team's first playoff victory in seven years. ...more

January 7, 2008

When there was a call in the Dallas Cowboys' defensive meeting room for players who had been part of a playoff victory to stand up, nearly everybody stayed in their seats. ...more

January 3, 2008

They don't do Viking funerals on Channelside Drive, even as a season and franchise are being consumed by fire. They quietly bury mistakes. ...more

December 29, 2007

Alex Smith could use a healthy shoulder to lean on. The first pick in the 2005 NFL draft entered the 2007 season eager to prove his dynamic progress last season was no fluke. ...more

December 21, 2007

The future of the franchise turns into the present tonight. And should goaltender Karri Ramo provide the Lightning with a boost, his presence will be quite a gift to a struggling team. ...more

December 20, 2007

Minutes before 7 a.m. on most weekdays, a flurry of organized chaos surrounds Robin Roberts. ...more

December 17, 2007