Mortgage settlement money used to balance state budgets

Instead of helping homeowners, states used at least $1 billion of the $2.5 billion they received in a legal settlement with major mortgage lenders to plug budget holes, pay for pet projects or promote economic development. More at USA Today.

---

Florida citrus forecast put on hold indefinitely

The USDA's widely anticipated initial citrus forecast, originally scheduled for release Friday, has been delayed until President Barack Obama and congressional leaders resolve their federal budget impasse, which has shut down dozens of government agencies since Oct. 1. More at the Lakeland Ledger.

---

Buying a business can save start-up time, effort

Sports Business Super Bid Could Miami be Super again? If the Dolphins have their way, yes — in 2018. League sources say that the Dolphins have formally applied to host Super Bowl 52 at this week’s NFL fall meetings, held in Washington. » Full story from the Miami Herald

The popular idea of going into business usually conjures an image of an entrepreneur or two starting at their kitchen table, building a small business from the ground up. But you can go into business another way: You can buy an existing business. More at Florida Today.

---

Space Florida, UCF launch tech business competition

Space Florida and the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization are launching a new competition that will match financing sources with small, high-tech businesses based in Florida. More at the Orlando Business Journal.

---

Florida parks losing money in government shutdown

The National Park Service says it's losing thousands of dollars a day in fees at two South Florida parks because of the federal government shutdown. Officials say visitors to Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park spend tens of millions of dollars in surrounding communities each year. More at the AP.

Currency Hundred Dollar Debut Benjamin Franklin's face-lift is to debut Tuesday. Redesigned $100 bills are set to begin circulating this week after a printing delay pushed back the date by more than two years. The note bearing Franklin's likeness has new security features intended to make the bill more difficult to counterfeit. » Read more from the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today

---