The U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled two food programs earlier this year that would have provided $1 billion in funding. The budget cuts are part of the federal initiative to reduce government spending.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering up to $2 million in disaster relief loans to businesses and nonprofits recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The final deadline to apply is April 27.

Day care for one child costs $1,000 to $1,500 per month in Polk County — if you can get a spot.

Child care center operators share 6 reasons why day care costs almost as much as rent in Polk County.

Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) is a provision under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that eases income requirements and considers monthly household expenses when determining eligibility for the grocery benefit.

The proposed cuts could trigger around 33,000 layoffs and a $3 billion economic downturn in Florida, according to research published by the Commonwealth Fund.

In Florida, it’s estimated that around one million children and more than 1,000 schools could lose access to free meals if changes to the Community Eligibility Provision are adopted.

Around 100,000 Pinellas County residents received SNAP benefits last year. The outcome of ongoing federal budget negotiations could change that.

The estimated $80 million proposal is expected to bring affordable housing, a vocational training center, business space and infrastructure improvements to the industrial district by 2027.

Many essential workers in Lakeland cannot find housing that would be 30% or less of their income.

People are considered ‘cost-burdened’ if housing is more than 30% of their income. Many Lakelanders pay much more than that.

The report was presented by several researchers at a Thursday event hosted at the University of South Florida.