Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/16/2016

Millions of dollars flow to Florida lobbying firms

With five firms topping $1 million, lobbyists reported earning at least $28.4 million during the year's second quarter for their legislative work --- an initial estimate that appears certain to increase in the coming days. More from the CBS Miami.

Baby boomer retirees fuel latest housing boom in Southwest Florida

Paced by relentless retiree demand, housing starts in Southwest Florida have roared to their fastest rate in nearly 10 years. Construction started on 1,492 single-family units in the region during the second-quarter, a nearly 18 percent gain over the year. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Jacksonville's ParkerVision reports new loss, legal battles drag on for wireless company

Jacksonville’s ParkerVision Inc. wireless and communications company released more troubling financial reports this week that saw the firm take another big loss. In the second quarter of this year’s stock trading on Nasdaq, ParkerVision saw its year-over-year net loss nearly double. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Aetna to quit most Obamacare markets, including Florida

Health insurer Aetna Inc. will stop selling individual Obamacare plans next year in 11 of the 15 states where it had been participating in the program, joining other major insurers who’ve pulled out of the government-run markets in the face of mounting losses. More from the Miami Herald.

Broward considers incentives revision for company thought to be Magic Leap

The Broward County Commission is scheduled Tuesday to consider revising a previously approved incentives package for a technology company thought to be Magic Leap. The package, approved late last year by Broward and the city of Plantation, awarded a company dubbed "Project Blaze," more than $2 million in incentives. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Around the State
Development bounces back in southeast Florida

Development in Hallandale Beach in south Florida fell off in the recession, but is back in force, fed in part by demand from people being displaced by development and rising prices in Miami-Dade.

» Access full story.

Out of the Box
Drip, drip dripping since 1955

The dripping cup sign on Jacksonville's Maxwell House plant has the distinction of being the only remaining Maxwell House sign in the United States. The iconic neon sign has been a Jacksonville landmark since it was erected in 1955.