Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/6/2016

Employers added disappointing 160,000 jobs in April

U.S. employers pulled back on hiring in April, adding 160,000 jobs, the fewest in seven months after a streak of robust monthly gains. The unemployment rate remained at a low of 5 percent, roughly where it has been since the fall. More from the AP, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal.

Juicy profits for Fort Myers firm

Florida orange producer Alico says sales and profits rose in the first quarter despite industry challenges. Alico reported net income of $8.7 million on revenues of $71.9 million in the quarter ending March 31. More from the Business Observer.

SpaceX lands rocket at sea 2nd time after satellite launch

For the second month in a row, the aerospace upstart SpaceX landed a rocket on an ocean platform early Friday, this time following the successful launch of a Japanese communications satellite. More from the AP.

Female-founded start-ups outperform all-male ones

Some good news out of the tech industry for once? A data set published by venture capital firm First Round Capital, which looked at 300 companies and nearly 600 founders, found that female-founded start-ups outperformed start-ups with all-male teams. More from the Cut.
» See also: 4 Factors That Predict Startup Success, and One That Doesn’t

House bill would curb regulation of e-cigarettes, cigars

Increasingly popular e-cigarettes and cigar varieties could be exempt from some government safety regulations if House Republicans have their way. It’s a move that alarms Democrats and public health advocates who argue that it could lead to unsafe products. More from Health News Florida.
» See also: U.S. cracks down on e-cigarettes and cigars, bans sales to minors

Publisher's Column
Florida's Healthy Moves

Florida has been wise to invest heavily in airports and deepwater ports. Our special Economic Backbone feature shows just how important these assets have become.

» See Andy Corty's full column.

Health Trends
The Cost of ER Dental Care

Dental problems are driving a growing number of Floridians to the emergency room — and costing taxpayers millions of dollars, according to a new study published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.