U.S. CENSUS

Housing costs eat up Floridians' wages

Housing costs continue to take a disproportionate share of Floridians' incomes, according to the U.S. Census.

Bring bailout back home to save the Cajun

As long as we're bailing out institutions integral to America's way of life, there's a jambalaya joint over in Himmarshee Village worth saving.

STREETWISE

Tri-Rail moves along, but still on a rocky road

The good: Tri-Rail smashed another ridership record last week. The South Florida Transportation Authority reported that 17,241 passengers boarded a Tri-Rail train on Thursday.

Poll: McCain's slight edge in Florida may hinge on economy

John McCain is nursing a narrow lead over Barack Obama in Florida even as voters say the Democrat is more trusted to handle their most important issue: the economy, according to a new Miami Herald poll.

Obama needs women voters, lipstick or not

D AYTONA BEACH -- At his second stop in his ''women for the change we need'' blitz through Florida, Barack Obama was feisty and loose. Who wouldn't be? A charged-up audience of university students, women and blacks energized the place.

THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY

Miami nuns put politics aside to help Cubans

A Miami Catholic order ignores political differences to help storm victims in Cuba.

MEDICARE FRAUD

Physician's aide admits role in Medicare fraud

A key figure in a systematic fraud against Medicare admitted teaching others how to participate.

Mortgage meltdown hits the innocent

Remember our millionaire days? You know: back when my little cottage had been magically transformed into a golden palace encrusted with Tiffany diamonds.

BORROWERS BETRAYED

Bad mortgage brokers ran wild, Florida admits

In a stinging critique of the state's oversight of the mortgage industry, top Florida investigators found that state regulators failed to alert police agencies to crooked mortgage brokerages, ignored citizen complaints and allowed hundreds of people with criminal histories to peddle loans.

The report released Tuesday to Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet criticized the Office of Financial Regulation, saying the agency broke down in key areas, including screening brokers and shutting down shoddy operations, while the state grappled with the nation's worst home loan fraud crisis.

The investigation, carried out by the Inspectors General of the State Cabinet Offices, concluded the state's regulatory system was ``insufficient to protect the people of the state of Florida.''

Opinion | Maybe Rudy wasn't board's real problem

Rudy Crew, blamed for so much of the Miami-Dade County School Board's discord, was history. But it was as if he had never left. It was late on the night of a tumultuous day. Earlier, after considerable squabbling, the school superintendent had been jettisoned with a $368,000 buyout. Then came the strange and inscrutable process to appoint Crew's successor.

STREETWISE

Commissioner wants more discussion before Dade transit fare increases

The latest showdown in the never-ending soap opera over the future of public transportation in Miami-Dade County is set for Tuesday. It won't be the last.

Palin helps McCain's numbers in Florida

In Florida and other battleground states, Sarah Palin's exuberant following has helped John McCain take the lead or narrow the gap with Barack Obama.

SEPT. 11 | SEVEN YEARS LATER

9/11 justice: Tribunals don't engage public

On Sept. 11, the trials at Guantánamo designed to get justice seem remote, military-run affairs that don't capture the imagination of the American people.

Board can't escape cost of firing Rudy Crew

Murray Greenberg might as well have stood before the school board and yodeled Dixie. Greenberg's pricey legal advice had no discernible effect on Rudy Crew's three most fervent enemies on the school board. They clung to the illusion that they could send Crew packing without paying off the last two years of his contract.

STREETWISE

Private plan for Alligator Alley is advancing

Despite a rising tide of opposition on both coasts, Florida is plowing ahead with a plan to lease Alligator Alley to a private contract for 50 to 75 years to raise short-term cash for other transportation needs. The 78-mile toll road could be in the hands of private interests by this time next year.

Funding storm research could save cash, lives

FRED GRIMM fgrimm@MiamiHerald.com T he cost of Ike -- and storms of Ike's ilk -- are calculated by the damage and ruination left after hurricanes crash ashore.

No escape for teen killer Michael Hernandez in a warped world

FRED GRIMM fgrimm@MiamiHerald.com Everyone pretended Michael Hernandez was all grown up. Michael said no to the plea deal, and the judge and prosecutor pretended that a mentally disturbed teenager had just rendered the rational decision of a competent adult.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Biden talks to chorus of supporters

Voters at a North Broward condominium said they support Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden because of his foreign policy experience and blue-collar roots.

MASTERS OF THE SWIM

Trying to squeeze into your Speedo?

Call it the Dara Torres Phenomenon. Since the 41-year-old five-time Olympian won three silver medals last month in Beijing, Masters swimming programs have become trendy.