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5 Big Stories

A look back at the week in Business

By Jeff Harrington, Times Deputy Business Editor
Published October 7, 2007

1. Tampa Electric scraps coal plant

The Tampa utility shelves plans to build a $2-billion "clean coal" plant in Polk County.

What it means:The clean coal plant would have cut emissions of sulfur and other pollutants - but not carbon dioxide, which is Enemy No. 1 in today's global warming debate. So Tampa Electric is seeking other creative ways to meet the surging energy demands of its customers.

2. Verizon tries to one-up the iPhone

Say hello to the Voyager, Verizon Wireless' attempt to counter Apple's popular multimedia cell phone, the iPhone.

What it means:It looks like the iPhone and boasts a little more - like a keyboard when flipped open - but the Voyager will have to wait for its holiday debut to see if it can take a bite out of Apple.

3. Southwest apologizes for T-shirt uproar

The airline apologizes to Largo resident Joe Winiecki after telling him to remove a suggestive T-shirt or get off a plane.

What it means: For an airline that brands itself as fun and casual, this is strike two after it made headlines for telling a San Diego woman her miniskirt and tank top weren't appropriate.

4. Florida gaming takes off

Among the biggest gaming states, Florida is fastest-growing with a 15 percent jump last year, a new report finds.

What it means:Thank the surging revenue from Seminole Tribe casinos. Nationally, tribal gaming has leaped ahead of lotteries and generates nearly a fourth of all gaming revenue.

5. Trump Tower lives - maybe

Local would-be developers of the Tampa condo skyscraper say they have lined up $200-million in financing from a New York hedge fund.

What it means:Saddled by lawsuits and construction delays, the building that would be the area's tallest still has an uncertain path toward rising in today's sluggish condo market.

[Last modified October 5, 2007, 23:26:26]