Hillsborough deputies arrest mom after infant found in car alone with windows up at University Mall

TAMPA — A mother left her 1-year-old baby locked in a car — with the windows rolled up, while the interior smelled of marijuana — while she went shopping Thursday at University Mall, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

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In survey, U.S. commandos vehemently oppose women in special operations jobs

WASHINGTON — The men in the U.S. military's most dangerous jobs care little about political correctness or gender equality. And they have a message for their political leadership.

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Mayo Clinic Q&A: handwashing's benefits; decongestant downsides

SOAP, WATER, LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT . . .

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The secret to taking calcium supplements: 'More is not better'

Calcium's importance is indisputable, but a raft of research raises questions about the best way to get enough: Supplements? Dairy products? Other foods?

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Cioppino makes a healthful addition to the holiday table

Classic holiday dishes usually are fattier, sweeter and heavier than our normal fare, so when a traditional dish actually is healthy without any tweaks, that's something to celebrate.

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Try chickpeas — in cookies with peanut butter and chocolate chips

My four daughters all inherited the love for sugary treats that my husband and I share. So to try to keep things in balance, I gravitate to treat recipes that are lower in sugar and add a bit of protein and fiber to level out all those sugar rushes.

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Ybor City wants a slice of tax money now earmarked for downtown Tampa

TAMPA — A tug-of-war is shaping up between downtown and Ybor City.

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Finance reports reveal biggest election battles brewing in the Florida Legislature

TALLAHASSEE — With less than a year until the November 2016 elections, campaign finance records released Thursday already show where the biggest battles for Florida Legislature seats are developing.

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Marco Rubio says he 'pioneered' anti-Iran measure, but record shows different story

WASHINGTON — Speaking before dozens of influential Jewish Republicans here last week, Marco Rubio lashed out at President Obama's foreign policy and vowed, "When I am Commander-in-Chief, I will fortify our alliance with Israel."

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Former CFO of agency for disabled people pleads guilty to lying about money

TAMPA — A former chief financial officer at an agency for developmentally disabled adults pleaded guilty Thursday to lying to the federal government about where Social Security money went.

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Being a driver at Uber or Shipt isn't all it's cracked up to be, Tampa workers say

Jeff Loper was one of the original drivers who signed up for Uber when the app launched in Tampa Bay last year.

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Serbian arms dealer says gun linked to Paris attack came through Florida

BELGRADE, Serbia — One of the guns linked to Islamic militants in the Paris attacks that killed 130 people was exported to the United States in 2013, the head of a Serbian arms factory said Thursday.

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Editorial cartoons for Dec. 11

These cartoons are from various Times wire services.

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New NASA images of Saturn's moon Titan look a great deal like Earth

Saturn's moon Titan puts on quite a show in the latest composite image from NASA.

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Staff at Gulfport's Peninsula Inn & Spa saddened by mascot cat's disappearance

GULFPORT — Lulu could be anywhere. In a community as eclectic and carefree as Gulfport, the missing tabby cat could be having an extended stay at a neighbor's who has good taste in food. Or maybe enjoying the cooler nights with a fisherman down by the marina.

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Marco Rubio quietly undermines Obama's Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON — A little-noticed health care provision that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida slipped into a giant spending law last year has tangled up the Obama administration, sent tremors through health insurance markets and rattled confidence in the durability of President Barack Obama's signature health law.

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Oldsmar closes well for possible contamination

OLDSMAR — The city has closed one water well after learning fecal indicators were found in a November water sample.

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UnitedHealth hiring 120 for Oldsmar facility

OLDSMAR — UnitedHealth Group plans to hire more than 120 people in Pinellas County with an emphasis on hiring military veterans.

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Tarpon Springs plans memorial service honors slain officer

TARPON SPRINGS — The Police Department will host a memorial service, including a wreath presentation and candlelight vigil, on Dec. 21 in honor of officer Charles Kondek.

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Clearwater police to swap gift cards for guns

CLEARWATER — The Police Department will give Walmart gift cards in exchange for unwanted guns at a gun buyback from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex at 2450 Drew St.

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BayCare opens urgent care center on Belcher Road

CLEARWATER — Tampa Bay's ninth BayCare Urgent Care Center opened Monday at 711 S Belcher Road.

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Group seeks change in ballot language on Clearwater library

CLEARWATER — Members of the Clearwater Library Foundation and Clearwater Community Women's Club have asked the City Council to revise the wording of an ordinance going before voters March 15 that would allow the city to lease portions of the Main Library.

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Madeira Beach cafe has California inspiration

MADEIRA BEACH — Vicki Ferrari is from the West Coast, but she came to Florida to pursue her passion for cooking.

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Fire damages popular Dunedin barbecue restaurant

DUNEDIN — A mid-morning fire damaged Eli's Bar-B-Que on Thursday.

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Group to protest St. Petersburg's investments in fossil fuels

ST. PETERSBURG — As diplomats try to reach an agreement in Paris about how to limit the adverse effects of climate change, a St. Petersburg activist group will gather at City Hall on Friday to protest the city's investment in fossil fuels.

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Largo to use search firm in city manager hunt

LARGO — Commissioners gave the nod Tuesday to use a head-hunting service to find Largo's next city manager.

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Walmart to launch mobile payment system

NEW YORK — The mobile payment wars are heating up.

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Dedication to television reporter Warren Elly to be held today

TAMPA — Former television reporter Warren Elly, who passed away earlier this year, will have the media room in the Hillsborough courthouse dedicated to him Thursday.

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Year-round daylight saving time? A longshot, but one Florida lawmaker is trying

Early November. Florida fall is finally settling in. The breeze is back, the humidity is fading. (Well, usually.) The idea of being outside longer than 45 seconds actually sounds appealing.

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Florida Hospital North Pinellas plans to build new emergency rooms

The full-service center in Palm Harbor would offer 24 beds to help reduce overcrowding.

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Dunedin city commission welcomes proposed hotel, restaurant

The five-story hotel and restaurant near Honeymoon Island moves forward despite some concerns.

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Marco Rubio joins brother to campaign on veterans' issues

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Marco Rubio used a real-life example to talk about his commitment to the Department of Veterans Affairs — his big brother.

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News at noon: Trump surges in polls; giant jet at TIA; more charges for cops?; Golden Globes; and more Rays news

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump says he's postponing his trip to Israel and will schedule a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "at a later date after I become …

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One of the world's biggest airplanes, an Antonov An-124, is at Tampa International Airport today

TAMPA — One of the world's largest planes, an Antonov An-124, is taking off from Tampa International Airport Thursday to make a delivery to Denmark.

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More charges expected in stolen identity tax refund fraud case against fired Tampa cops

TAMPA — The case against fired Tampa cops Eric and LaJoyce Houston may be growing.

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Much of historic bank building on Central Avenue might see wrecking ball, new apartments

Preservationists oppose a developer's move to tear down most of the historic bank building.

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Madeira Beach experiencing building boom

Embracing development in Madeira Beach leads to millions in construction.

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Santa's going to 'Kinky Boots' after helping the Belles

12.4.15 A few recipes have changed, hemlines have gone up and down, and several new women come on board, but the mission of the Christmas Belles has remained the same for 53 years. Twenty-four hostesses invite about 250 women to an elegant coffee the first Friday in December to raise money and collect toys for the Christmas Toy …

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Tasker Beal honored by the Ridgecrest Community

Hundreds turn out in appreciation for his work in the Ridgecrest area.

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Pinellas news briefs

PINELLAS PARK/GATEWAY CHAMBER CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON: Come share music, conversation, and food plus door prizes with friends new and old. 11:30 a.m.,Friday. Cost is $10. Pinellas Park Auditorium, 7690 59th St. N. For information, call (727) 541-0770. www.pinellas-park.com/events/city_auditorium.asp.

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In new poll, Donald Trump solidifies his lead, but leaves many nervous

Donald Trump occupies his strongest position yet in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, yet nearly two-thirds of American voters say they are concerned or frightened about the prospect of a Trump presidency, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News nationwide poll.

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Trump, after Netanyahu criticism, says he's postponing Israel trip

NEW YORK — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday said he's postponing his trip to Israel and will schedule a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "at a later date after I become President of the U.S."

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Former mayor does it his way in lighting up Pinellas Park

A caravan of volunteers puts up Pinellas Park's widely known displays.

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As shoppers rejoice, opening of outlets has proven beneficial for both malls on SR 56

New shoppers are visiting the Shops at Wiregrass as well, all without clogging roads.



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Costco targets summer 2016 opening in Lutz

The membership warehouse in Lutz will be just west of the new outlets mall.

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Over mayor's objections, Port Richey council moves forward with Restore Act plan

Port Richey's council again approves applying the BP oil spill funds to move a boat ramp.

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Collaborative effort aims to recruit young women to become orthopedic surgeons

Female students learn about the field in a hands-on program intended to recruit surgeons.

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Bowen: Shelter provides families a new home for the holidays

The Rev. Dan Campbell remembers his 2006 introduction to Pasco's homeless population.

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At Spring Hill Elementary, a glimpse of a turnaround effort

At D-rated Spring Hill Elementary, the state pressure is on.

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DeWitt: New monument should repudiate county's racial history

The plan is as vague as it ambitious, as underfunded as it is well-intentioned.

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Mommy Makeover | Plastic Surgery Map

Mommy Makeover cosmetic procedures in Palm Beach County.

Christmas cheer being spread at Henry B. Plant Museum

It's the most wonderful time of the year and the perfect time to visit the 34th annual Victorian Chr

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12 important characters in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

As anyone who has ever watched the Star Wars saga knows, we last left our heroes partying with the E

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Willy T's 'best ever' Crab Cakes with holiday cranberries

If you're going to have a permanent sign above your food truck that says it's "the best crab ca

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Orange residents pack commission meeting on Skyplex

Orange County commissioners listened to dozens public comments Tuesday afternoon, stretching into th

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