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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Household income approaches prerecession level
New figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show the median household income last year was almost $47,500. That's not only an increase over 2013's median income of $46,000, but it's the highest since the start of the recession. [Source: AP]
See also:
» The American middle class has lost a quarter century
» Household income, poverty numbers stay about the same
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida lawmakers' 'sprinkle fund'
For as long as the Florida Legislature has been developing and passing budgets, one of the perks of being Senate president or House Speaker has been the ability to hold back a bit of anticipated tax revenue for the leaders to allocate at the end of budget negotiations. But over the years, that pot of money has gotten larger. Access full story.
When treasure hunting is the family business
Not everyone wants to go into the family business. The world is littered with the children of tailors or lawyers or insurance agents who want to break free. But what if your father is a treasure hunter? [Source: Atlas Obscura]
A Florida vacation just got cheaper
After months of falling fuel prices, air passengers are finally benefiting. Taking an average American family on vacation to Florida now would cost at least $400 less than it did a year ago, thanks to the fall in crude oil, and trickle-down of airline prices. [Source: CNBC]
Airline ancillary revenue tops $38 billion in 2014
Extra costs associated with air travel — from baggage fees to extra leg room to car rental commissions — continue to soar, a new report has found. Ancillary revenue reported by dozens of global airlines jumped to $38.1 billion in 2014, a 20.9 percent increase over the previous year. [Source: Miami Herald]
› South Florida housing markets among least affordable
Palm Beach and Broward counties rank among the 35 least affordable housing markets nationwide, according to a new report that factors in home prices and the costs of utilities and traveling to work.
See also:
» Sarasota County has affordable housing 'crisis'
» Palm Beach County ranks as 15th least-affordable market
› Clothing, medical costs jump in South Florida
Apparel prices climbed 10.2 percent in August from a year ago in South Florida, while medical costs rose 6.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Consumers did get a break on transportation costs, which dropped 8.9 percent last month in the metro area from a year ago.
› Central Florida startup lands appearance on ABC's 'Shark Tank' season premiere
Central Florida entrepreneur Chris Gilpin still pinches himself when he thinks about next Friday’s episode of ABC’s Shark Tank. Gilpin, 34, of Debary, was selected from about 30,000 original applicants to be on national TV pitching his product for this season.
› Another luxury car line has moved to Jaxport
Porsche Cars North America Inc. has selected Jacksonville as its new port of entry for new Porsche vehicles bound for Southeastern dealers, according to a statement.
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