By Richard Mullins, Tampa Tribune, Fla. Apr. 7--TAMPA -- Workers and customers of Verizon Communications Inc. picketed many of the company's locations across the region this morning, claiming Verizon's customer service quality suddenly is dropping off.

By Richard Stradling, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. Feb. 24--DURHAM -- In an apparent quest for illicit copper, someone made off with several hundred feet of aerial cable belonging to Verizon early Saturday.

By Tiffany St. Martin, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Nov. 22--LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Verizon customers in Lakewood Ranch should be watching FiOS TV in another year or so.

By Kristi E. Swartz, The Palm Beach Post, Fla. Mar. 4--When it comes to getting into the cable television business, Florida's telephone companies are hoping this will be their year. BellSouth Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc.

By Nicholas Azzara, The Bradenton Herald, Fla. Feb. 2--MANATEE -- Verizon made its new FiOS TV network available to 2,400 households in southern Manatee County on Wednesday. County commissioners approved a franchise agreement with the communications company in August.