Tuesday's Daily Pulse
Florida Trend's Golden Spoons
Florida Trend's annual guide to the state's best places to dine, including awards, profiles, reviews and more. These lists are organized by region or award type to help you find the best dining in Florida:
» Golden Spoon Awards
» Golden Spoon Hall of Fame
» Best New Restaurants (Including the Robert Tolf Award for the Best New Restaurant: Khong River House)
» Best Brands
Featured Dining Article:
» Hog Wild: The gastropub revolution is now complete Judging by the amounts of rough wood, chalkboards and pork products in Miami's poshest neighborhood, the Gastro Revolution is now complete.
Florida tops U.S. for October job growth
Florida led the nation in job gains last month, adding 44,600 people to the employment rolls. The nationwide figures released Nov. 25 by the U.S. Labor Department showed payrolls increasing in 34 states in October and the unemployment rate falling in 28 states. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal and Bloomberg News.
IT industry has reason to party: Pay on rise
Highly skilled information technology professionals in South Florida have always been able to command top pay, but a new survey shows those salaries will improve in 2014. A survey of more than 500 IT professionals and local companies conducted by SherlockTech Staffing shows double-digit increases in South Florida IT hiring and salaries. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Cost, number of health plans vary widely by county
Competition is the cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act. Health care costs and the number of "metal" plan options can vary depending on where you live. However, more choices does not necessarily mean better prices. See an interactive map at Florida Today.
Why experts blew the 2013 hurricane forecasts
Why did all the experts get the hurricane season outlook so wrong? Twelve forecast teams predicted an average of 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes, four major. Yet this season, which ends Saturday, saw only 13 named storms, including two mediocre Category 1 hurricanes. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also:
» Weak 2013 Atlantic hurricane season draws to close
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida brewers seek to end ban on beer growlers [AP]
After several years of trying, the next legislative session could be the one that sees containers made legal, joining 47 other states that allow half-gallon growlers. That is, if the jugs don't get tangled up in more complicated issues surrounding Florida's fast-growing craft beer industry.
› Why eyesore 'graffiti' on city streets, sidewalks is legal [Orlando Sentinel]
Though very serious business, job-site markings are the bane of urban beautification everywhere, the sidewalk cousin of gum wads, bird droppings and suspicious stains.
› Broward animal shelter lets adopters name their price on Black Friday [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A terrier for $10 and a tabby for $12? You'll get the chance to name your own price on Black Friday if you're adopting a pet from Broward County's animal shelter.
› Fans mean business at 2013 Florida Classic [Orlando Business Journal]
Tradition means business at the Florida Classic. For 35 years, the football players — and band members — of Bethune-Cookman College and Florida A&M University have battled one another for bragging rights and Orlando's Citrus Bowl has hosted the rivalry since 1997, with Orlando's tourism industry welcoming every player and fan with impartial eagerness.
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› Booming entrepreneurship among Black women [Florida Courier]
Since 1997, the number of African American woman-owned businesses has skyrocketed by more than 250 percent. Today there’s an estimated more than 1.1 million Black woman-owned businesses in existence, with an estimated $44.9 billion in revenue for 2013.
› Florida Blue at center of controversy over $1 billion Medicaid contract [Florida Times-Union]
Accusations of “collusive” bidding practices used by a company with big financial ties to Jacksonville-based Florida Blue could drastically alter the state’s multi-billion dollar push to reform its Medicaid program.
› Store for teachers now affiliated with national network [Ocala Star-Banner]
The Tools 4 Teaching program, which was founded in 2009, offers free classroom supplies that have been mainly purchased with fundraising dollars or donated by local businesses and organizations.
› Medical device maker to invest $18 million in new Florida plant [Plastics News]
Medical device manufacturer Covidien plans to open a new production facility in Hillsborough County, Fla., state officials announced. The company plans to invest $18 million in the site, and create 165 jobs with the project.