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The article reports that attorneys general in Florida and Virginia have separately sued banking company Bank of New York Mellon Corp. for alleged improper pricing of currency transactions Mellon processed for pension funds in those states. A 2008 internal document at the bank said volatility in currency prices helped Mellon achieve greater profits when trading on behalf of institutional customers.

The article discloses that a 2006 internal report at the government-sponsored enterprise Fannie Mae warned that foreclosure attorneys in Florida sought to hasten foreclosures by being dishonest, and questioned the legal standing of some mortgage services to foreclose on properties. A spokeswoman for Fannie said the firm took action to address issues it was aware of.

The article reports that some banks are believed to have charged large U.S. investment companies excessive amounts for foreign-currency trades. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. is among banks suspected by investment firm BlackRock Inc. of overcharging on trades. Attorneys general in Florida, Virginia, and California have sued custody banks for taking improper profits on currency trades for their clients.

The article reports that the Florida state attorney general is investigating mortgage-processing firm Lender Processing Services Inc. along with several Florida law firms in connection with the handling of mortgage documents in foreclosure proceedings. Questions have arisen as to whether documents were properly reviewed, or in some cases fabricated.

Focuses on the storm season in Florida and the opportunities it has created for certain businesses. Relocation of Tommy Wise from Tifton (Ga.) to Orlando (Fla.) where he is hauling tree limbs and brush to temporary dump sites; Estimated amount of money to haul away all the debris created by Hurricanes Charley and Frances; Anticipation of Hurricane Ivan, whose expected landfall is Florida's panhandle; Percentage of disaster cleanup paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Bidding process used by municipalities in Florida for public contracts in disaster cleanup; Opportunities created for individuals like Wise, who show up in their pickup trucks to haul away debris; Wages paid to haulers; Quantities of debris picked up since the two hurricanes hit.

Discusses how hurricane-affected Floridians are discovering the full effects of a decade of maneuvering by insurance companies and state officials that has dramatically reduced the obligations of private insurers to pay for the impact of catastrophic storms. Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which wreaked $15.5 billion in insured damage; Losses from Andrew, which triggered a wholesale revamping of Florida's insurance market; Hundreds of thousands of homeowners who now find themselves responsible for dramatically higher premiums and new deductibles that require homeowners to absorb thousands in costs from wind damage; Homeowners who were hit by both hurricanes Charley and Frances, who may be forced to pay a second deductible.

Deals with the sentiments of Florida residents who have encountered the aircraft hijackers involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Focuses on the court order of a federal judge in Miami, Florida for SabreTech Inc. to pay a fine and restitution for its role in the crash of a ValuJet plane in 1996 in Everglades. Plans of SabreTech to appeal on the case; Details on the amount of the criminal fine and restitution; Inability of SabreTech to pay the amount.