Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Health insurance scammers target consumers and business owners

A number of health insurance scams -- in Florida and around the nation -- have emerged in recent months as crooks try to cash in on confusion over the health care reform law, and some officials say they are bracing for more in the months ahead. Read more from the Washington Post and read Florida Trend's Special Report: Health Care Insurance:

» Health Insurance Overhaul
» Opportunity amid uncertainty in Florida's health care
» Employers taking 'wait and see' attitude toward health insurance
» A disrupted health care market in Florida


Two Florida colleges ranked among 50 best in U.S.

Two Florida colleges, the University of Miami and the University of Florida, are now considered among the 50 best in the country, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report rankings. Florida State University also earned its best ranking in more than a decade, moving up six spots to No. 91. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald.


Disney World to host veterans-hiring summit

Business Profile

Unloathe

unloathe
Online retailer Unloathe aims to offer the low prices and bulk quantities of retailers like Costco — but delivers the non-perishable goods straight to customers’ pantries, laundry rooms or garages. Unloathe charges $9.95 per delivery, no matter the size, and has no membership fees.

» Online retailer Unloathe delivers bulk items

Walt Disney World is expected to announce plans today to host a free "Veterans Institute" workshop later this fall aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses establish veteran-hiring programs. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Miami law firm agrees to pay $5 million to Shapiro’s investment victims

A major Miami law firm that advised convicted Ponzi schemer and rogue UM booster Nevin Shapiro on his business dealings has agreed to pay $5 million to his victims in a proposed civil settlement with the trustee of Shapiro’s bankrupt investment company. More at the Miami Herald.


Fort Lauderdale moves up on 'hottest hub' list

Citing Citrix Systems and Heico Corp., the Fort Lauderdale area moved up two spots to No. 16 on the "hottest hub" ranking recently released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which studies entrepreneurship. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Tech Trends
New app designed to help Florida farmers

condoFlorida farmers will soon be able to coordinate their crops with a few swipes of their smartphones. A new program developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in partnership with University of Florida's Automated Weather Network, will provide up-to-the-minute information on key weather variables, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, dew point, wind speed and wind direction.

» Full story from the AP