Friday's Daily Pulse

Posted 9/6/2013

Updated 1 decade ago

Florida job cuts rose in August

The Sunshine State ranked second in August job cuts in the South, pushing the state higher into the number of layoffs in the region for the year, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Employers in Florida announced 1,454 cuts in August, up from 785 cuts in July. More from the South Florida Business Journal and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Boat noodles, Khong River House, Miami Beach
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Florida Trend Exclusive
Unchained: New concepts in local dining

Taking a successful menu and concept to 100 other locations to create a chain has lost some appeal to the most modern of Florida restaurateurs. They would rather create whole new restaurants, each with a distinctive menu, décor and vibe — from rustic Asian to upscale Caribbean and every corner of Europe and regional America in between. Full story.

How states fared on unemployment benefit claims

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to nearly the lowest level since June 2008, a sign that employers are cutting fewer jobs. Applications fell 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000. That's just 1,000 above a five-year low reached last month. More from the AP and the Washington Post.

Column: The smart business of health

It isn't often you hear a buttoned-down, well-compensated health insurance executive sound like some combination of TED talk and the Burning Man festival. But Patrick Geraghty's ideas for reforming the health care system evoke elbow patches and tie-dye as much as a starched collar. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Interim chancellor named for state university system

The chairman of the board overseeing the state university system didn't look far to find a temporary replacement for chancellor Frank Brogan, who will step down at end of the month. Jan Ignash, Brogan's second-in-command, has been tapped as interim chancellor. The full Board of Governors will be asked to approve promoting Ignash, the vice chancellor and chief academic officer, at a meeting Sept. 12. [Source: Times/Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Convention center hotel project to offer small business opportunities [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The developer of the new Palm Beach County Convention Center Hilton hotel is sending out a casting call to small businesses interested in learning about job opportunities associated with project.

› Disney and Universal battle for theme park guests' dollars [NBC News]
Having invested billions in new attractions and innovative technology over the last few years, the industry’s major players are reaping the rewards of increased visitation, higher guest spending and cash reserves that promise more developments to come.

› Panel recommends $1M in tax incentives to Xun Energy [Florida Today]
An advisory board Thursday morning unanimously recommended that startup company Xun Energy Inc. receive more than $1 million in tax incentives from Brevard County, despite the fact that the company had no revenue and lost nearly $1 million last year.

› Taxpayers can't own stake in soccer team, Orlando says [Orlando Sentinel]
Mayor Buddy Dyer and his legal team say taxpayers can't be partial owners of any new Major League Soccer franchise in Orlando, even if they help pay for the $85 million stadium the team wants.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida won’t appeal ruling against law banning public hiring of firms tied to Cuba [Miami Herald]
The state of Florida has conceded it will not enforce a law — ruled unconstitutional by federal courts — that tried to prohibit the state and local governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.

› NASA aiming for moon again, this time from Virginia [AP]
NASA is headed back to the moon, this time to explore its thin atmosphere and rough dust. The robotic spacecraft LADEE (pronounced LA'-dee), will fly to the moon by way of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Liftoff is set for late Friday night from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.

› FPL among the best utilities for economic development [Miami Herald]
Florida Power and Light won a spot on a list of utilities doing the best job at recruiting businesses to their service areas. Site Selection magazine, which covers the corporate-relocation industry, included the Juno Beach-based utility on its Top 10 list of “Top Utilities in Economic Development.”

› Tampa International CEO gets raise to $330,750 [Tampa Bay Times]
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority praised Tampa International Airport Chief Executive Officer Joe Lopano, then rewarded him. The board voted to give Lopano a 5 percent merit raise at Thursday's monthly meeting. Lopano's annual salary will become $330,750 on Oct. 1.