Florida to receive $7 million to train workers for new jobs

Florida will receive more than $7 million in re-employment funds to train the unemployed for new jobs, the federal labor department said. The money is part of a $64.3 million grant from the Department of Labor going to 48 states. Florida's award is the second-largest behind New York's. Full story at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and see more from the Department of Labor.

See also:
» Florida flunks federal standards on jobless claims

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Home builder confidence soars despite rising rates

Confidence among the nation's home builders in July jumped to the highest level since January of 2006, according to a monthly index from the National Association of Home Builders. This is the third consecutive monthly gain. More from CNBC, the Wall Street Journal and see the report from the National Association of Home Builders.

See also:
» Worker shortage concerns home builders

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Space Florida initiates environmental study for proposed commercial spaceport

Business Profile Catalogs.com Leslie and Richard Linevsky built their Fort Lauderdale-based Catalogs.com into an 18-employee, $5-million revenue business from a base in neckties. The couple started selling neckties through a printed catalog, moved to online sales and then sold it to fund the founding of Catalogs.com in 1996, a portal for other retailers. » Full story

A Federal Aviation Administration-led environmental study to address the potential impacts of constructing and operating a commercial launch complex in the general vicinity of the former citrus community known as Shiloh, Fla., will be performed by an independent consultant in accordance with FAA conditions and procedures, the State’s aerospace development organization announced. More from Space Florida.

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Study: Later retirement may help prevent dementia

New research boosts the "use it or lose it" theory about brainpower and staying mentally sharp. People who delay retirement have less risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, a study found. More at the AP.

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Miami Heat falls short on Forbes ‘most valuable’ team list

The Miami Heat boasts the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and a second consecutive championship, but when it comes to Most Valuable Teams, it doesn’t even break the Top 50. Ironically, in the list of most valuable sports teams released Monday by Forbes magazine, The Heat got beat out by the season-losing Dolphins. More at the Miami Herald and see the list from Forbes.

Out of the Box Boom! Lauderdale power plant razed Taller than most skyscrapers and gaily striped in red and white, the four smokestacks had been a Fort Lauderdale landmark for more than 50 years. It took one minute for them to vanish Tuesday morning. Demolition contractors triggered 450 pounds of explosives, set off in a series of 90 closely spaced blasts, that reduced the smokestacks at Port Everglades and four hulking steel boiler buildings to mountains of rubble. » Full story at the Miami Herald » See video below:

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