Be careful about mixing politics and work

Some experts say healthy political discussion with colleagues is a good thing but done the wrong way it can disrupt productivity and damage professional relationships. Most companies don't have formal policies about discussing politics in the workplace. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Cuba scraps exit visa requirement

The Cuban government announced Tuesday that it will no longer require islanders to apply for an exit visa, eliminating a much-loathed bureaucratic procedure that has been a major impediment for many seeking to travel overseas. Still, the notice said Cuba plans to put limits on travel within unspecified sectors. More at the AP and BBC News.

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Marine research facility wins build award

CEO Sounding Board How will new regulations will affect international banking in Florida? Tony Bejarano, General Manager of Banco Internacional de Costa Rica (BICSA), told us: "We believe that the impact will be minimal. That is not to say that some customers will not feel comfortable with such arrangements and may move their funds outside the U.S." » Read more from Beranjo and other Florida CEOs.

A Fort Lauderdale company was recently recognized for its eco-friendly work on Nova Southeastern University's new $50 million coral reef center. The project was funded in part by a $15 million stimulus grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The center also is LEED certified. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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UCF economist: Expect a long pull out of 'economic ennui'

University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith won't wager whom he expects to win the presidential election. But he's willing to bet that regardless of the outcome, there won't be a sudden surge in hiring and consumer spending. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

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Gov. Rick Scott seeks to remake his image by stressing education

Gov. Rick Scott infuriated teachers during his first year in office, signing a merit-pay bill that did away with tenure and approving a budget that cut public schools' budgets by $1.35 billion. But since spring, all the Republican governor wants to talk about is his commitment to teachers. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Commercial seafood The claws come off Stone crab claws are one of the Florida’s most valuable seafoods: From 2002 to 2011, commercial fishermen landed an average of 2.72 million pounds of claws with a dockside value of $22.79 million. Florida's commercial fishermen are hoping winter visitors will flock to the Sunshine State for stone crab season, which began yesterday. Read more from the Fort Myers News-Press and the AP and see also: » The promise of stone crab season » First stone crabs of the season off the boat » Fish and Wildlife Research Institute stone crab page

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