Thursday's Daily Pulse

Posted 12/13/2012

Updated 1 decade ago

Florida again has most foreclosure filings in the nation

Florida posted the nation's highest foreclosure rate in November for the third month in a row, with foreclosure starts climbing 6 percent over the year before, data released today from RealtyTrac shows. More from the Tampa Bay Times and RealtyTrac.

Legislative leaders dish out salary increases to top staff

Florida’s new legislative leaders handed out hefty raises and salaries to many of their top staff members and newly hired talent even as thousands of state workers went for a sixth year without a bump in pay. [Source: Times/Herald ]

Florida women earning 84 percent of median wages earned by men

Women workers in Florida are earning about 84 percent of the weekly earnings of their male counterparts, the second-highest ratio since 1997, according to government data released Wednesday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Dredging an underwater pit at Port Canaveral in 2007. Work on deepening the port will begin four years ahead of schedule. Go to story.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Port Canaveral expansion begins early

Port Canaveral will get an early start on work to widen and deepen its main shipping channel so the Brevard County port can handle more cargo. Dredging had been scheduled to begin in 2017, but the Florida Department of Transportation is contributing $24.4 million to allow work to begin as early as next summer. Full story...

Florida about to hit concealed weapons milestone

Florida is about to hit a milestone when it comes to those ‘packing heat’. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said sometime next week the state will issue its one millionth permit to carry a concealed weapon. Florida is number one in the nation when it comes to the number gun owners with concealed weapon permits. [Source: CBS Miami/AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Post office fails to deliver for Toys for Tots [Tampa Bay Times]
Thousands of Tampa Bay Area children might go without toys this holiday season thanks to a Grinch-like move from the Postal Service.

› Lennar to borrow $1.7 billion from Chinese bank [Miami Herald]
Miami-based Lennar Corp. has gotten approval on $1.7 billion in loans from China Development Bank to fund the development and construction of two major projects in San Francisco, according to a person familiar with the transaction.

› Training-tech company expanding despite looming 'fiscal cliff' [Orlando Sentinel]
While many military contractors are stymied by the prospect of huge "fiscal cliff" spending cuts, at least one Central Florida training-simulation company is expanding its Winter Park operation, adding 70 jobs and more than doubling its work force, officials said this week.

› Buy Local Expo promotes 'Spend it here' [Daytona Beach News-Journal]
From button-makers and computer service companies to lighting and video production firms, local companies lined the Ocean Center arena in Daytona Beach, promoting their products and expertise at the "Buy Local Expo."

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› MetroPlan approves float-on-air train for south Orange [Orlando Sentinel]
A privately financed, futuristic train that would link the convention center with Orlando International Airport was tentatively approved Wednesday by Metro Orlando's main planning agency. "I think this is great. From our standpoint, this is just the start," said Tony Morris, president of American Maglev Technology.

› South Florida trade poised for a record year [Miami Herald]
International trade through South Florida was up more than 10 percent during the first nine months of the year, putting the Miami Customs District in position to finish among the nation’s Top 10 Customs districts for the first time.

› New state food code improves inspection process, adds warnings [South Florida Business Journal]
Florida has updated its food code for restaurants and hotels with improvements to the inspection process and addresses new safety concerns, such as warnings for food allergens.

› Resale stores keeping an eye out for recalled items [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Amid a still-struggling economy, stores and non-profit groups that cater to families striving to find the right toy within tight budgets also have to be extra vigilant to ensure kids don't end up with donated dangerous or defective toys.