Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/15/2017

Florida cities lead the best housing markets for first-time buyers

The combination of lower housing costs, higher inventory levels and expected home-value growth is driving new homebuyers to the Southeast and Midwest, with the Florida cities of Orlando and Tampa deemed the best markets for first-time buyers today. More from Construction Dive and Zillow.

Column: Entrepreneurship at all ages

Tracy Stroderd, CEO of EverythingBrevard.com, says, "Failure is part of success. Fail fast, fail often and still push forward. Each failure is preparing you for greatness." Read her full column at Florida Today.

Florida gas prices drop 14 cents in three-week streak

Florida gas prices dropped 5 cents in the past week, but the downward trend is likely to end this week, AAA reports. The state average declined for the 23rd consecutive day Sunday for a total discount of 14 cents during that time. More from the Naples Daily News and the Bradenton Herald.

Stone crab rebound continues as catch nears 3 million pounds

The end of stone crab season today marks the second year of a rebound with a harvest of about 3 million pounds of claws valued at $30 million. In 2012-13, the catch was 2.1 million pounds. In 2013-14, it fell to a low of 1.9 million pounds. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Real estate buyers from China, elsewhere in Asia increasingly eye Miami

Miami has clearly evolved into a thriving financial center, global gateway, hub for world class arts and culture, destination for education and healthcare, tourism juggernaut, and wellspring of prime waterfront residential real estate ... and yet, until recently, the city’s relationship with the Asian market has been limited. More from the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
"Home of the Whopper"

A double drive-thru monument is being erected near Gainesville's Oaks Mall. When it opens on Tuesday, hungry locals will be able to pay homage to a flame-broiled, quarter-pound icon with a surprising history in Gainesville: The Whopper.

» More from the Gainesville Sun.

Profile
Linda Daniel Lights Up a New Career

Linda Daniel knew that quitting a job to start a business she knew nothing about was risky; she did it anyway. Five years later, her lampshade design and production company — elle daniel — is thriving.