Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/4/2016

Jobs report shows brisk U.S. hiring

The latest labor market reckoning out from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday showed stronger than anticipated job growth and signs that discouraged workers are not only jumping back in the game, but also finding work quickly when they do. More from Forbes, the AP, NPR, and the Wall Street Journal.

Cuba's tobacco country becomes tourist attraction

The industry's problems haven't kept farmers in Cuba's tobacco country from benefiting from the tourist boom by converting their farms into tourist attractions, where busloads of foreign visitors can delight in meals of roast pork, rice and beans and rum drinks. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Hi, noon: Brunch options are expanding

Brunch has become the meal that ate the entire weekend, Saturday as well as Sunday. Forget long buffets in hotels and dining rooms full of dressy people. Increasingly, restaurants of all sorts serve New Brunch on Saturday — in gastro pubs, wine bars and sidewalk cafes. Access full story.

Theme-park hotels' expansion driven by strong results

With occupancy skyrocketing and major expansions underway, theme parks want to provide visitors more places to stay. The latest to jump into the game is SeaWorld Entertainment, which has announced a restructuring and said it created a separate resort development division. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Renting a home in South Florida beats buying as way to build wealth

Buying a home is a priority for many South Floridians, but they're better off renting and investing the savings, according to a study released Thursday. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Out of the Box
Ultimate Terrifying Florida Road Trip

There's a darker side to the Sunshine State. While most tourists are drawn to Florida for its sandy beaches and high-adrenaline theme parks, there are some who seek a different kind of rush. For those people, OnlyInYourState.com's "ultimate terrifying Florida road trip" likely has much more appeal.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Business Profile
Tropical Pallets

“I talk to some people outside this business, and they ask me ‘What is a pallet?’” said Rigoberto Lesteiro Jr., owner and CEO of Tropical Pallets Inc., standing in his 20,000-square-foot warehouse and headquarters in Allapattah.