Aging crisis on the horizon

The nation's 85-and-older population is projected to swell from 5.5 million in 2010 to 6.6 million in 2020, a 19 percent increase in one decade. This trend has caught the attention of those who study the elderly and is a source of concern for those who worry about who will care for the very old as they age and become dependent on others. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]

Related:
» A great gray wave: Medicine, lifestyle choices are helping people live much longer

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Florida Lottery sales top $5 billion for first time

The Florida Lottery topped $5 billion in sales for the first time during the fiscal year that ended June 30, the department announced Monday. A record $1.41 billion is expected to go into the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, the Lottery reported. [Source: AP]

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New push in Florida for medical marijuana

This month medical marijuana proponents are starting the most organized effort Florida has ever seen to enshrine doctor-approved cannabis in the state's constitution. Unlike past petition drives, this one will be well funded. Personal injury lawyer John Morgan — famous for his “for the people” television and billboard ads — is pledging to do “whatever it takes” to pass the referendum next year. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» Florida Medical Marijuana Amendment Gets Big Backer

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Wildlife tourism a $19 billion industry to Gulf of Mexico states

The wildlife tourism industry in the Gulf of Mexico states is a $19 billion industry and generates 2.6 million jobs, according to a report released today by Datu Research, an economic research firm. Read more from the Mississippi Business Journal and see the Florida section of the report.

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Florida lags in solar power

Despite Florida’s worldwide reputation as The Sunshine State, the state lagged behind more than a dozen others – including Massachusetts, Maryland and Ohio – in building solar power capacity last year on homes and businesses. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando's Earl Enterprises cuts workers' hours, denies health-care link [Orlando Sentinel]
About 400 workers from Orlando-based Earl Enterprises, primarily in its Buca di Beppo restaurant chain, have had their hours cut to less than 30 a week across the country, founder Robert Earl acknowledged Monday.

› Fort Lauderdale to finalize streetcar assessment [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Business and residential property owners are expected to cover $20.6 million of the cost of the $142.6 million 2.7-mile electric streetcar system called the Wave. The rest of the money is coming from federal, state, county and city governments.

› FSU College of Business looks to trade up [FSU News]
Buzzing trade rooms the likes of those on Wall Street will soon be replicated at Florida State University. Modern architecture and sleekly designed classrooms will be the setting of expanded business innovation at Florida State.

› Port Everglades cruise terminals get new artwork [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Galleries aren't the only places where people can get an art fix these days. As public art installations become more prevalent across South Florida, artwork is popping up in unlikely places.

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› Office Depot nominates new board member, readies for merger vote [Palm Beach Post]
As Office Depot and OfficeMax ready for merger votes this week, Boca Raton-headquartered Office Depot is also trying to head off a bid by its largest common stockholder to take a minority position on the board at the August annual meeting.

› Dr. James Fulton, co-developed Retin-A, dies [Miami Herald]
Dr. James E. Fulton, the Key Biscayne dermatologist who helped develop the wrinkle reducer Retin-A and studied the relationship between acne and chocolate consumption, died Sunday. He was 73. Fulton and his wife, chemist Sara Fulton, headed a family-owned company, Vivant Skin Care, in Medley.

› Staycation for pets is solution for owners on the go [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Americans will spend about $55.53 billion on their pets this year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and $4.54 billion of that will be spent on pet services, which includes boarding and pet sitting.

› Sunshine Soccer Group organized in Jacksonville [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The North American Soccer League seeks expansion and a group from Jacksonville has been asked to make a presentation at its July 25 meeting in Dallas. New Jacksonville business Sunshine Soccer Group will send CEO Mark Frisch, to make the presentation.