Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Thursday's Daily Pulse

Reaching Latinos: Media vies for a winning formula

Reaching the nation's 55 million Latinos has become gospel for mainstream media giants, but capturing this fast-growing, mostly U.S.-born audience is proving tricky to networks and websites. For every success story there is a flop. [Source: AP]


Why police support Common Core standards in Florida

The national anti-crime group Fight Crime: Invest in Kids released a position paper in favor of Florida’s new standards for English language arts and math. The group argues that assessments and higher standards can prevent crime. [Source: StateImpact Florida]


The Highest (and Lowest) Paying Jobs in Metro Areas

Wages vary greatly based on job types and where workers live. Data published Tuesday by the Labor Department shows examples of just how much wages vary, both based on job types and where workers reside. Read more from Governing Magazine and use the drop-down menu to select your metro area.


Florida Trend Exclusive
A need for skilled workers in Southwest Florida

While southwest Florida’s economy is back on steady footing, the region is grappling with shortages of skilled labor in construction and precision manufacturing. Access full story here.


Why do employers make our health insurance choices?

For decades we have allowed our employers virtually unfettered freedom to make all health coverage decisions — not just those related to contraceptives — on behalf of employees and, in many instances, their family members. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami foreign enrollments rising
International enrollment at most Miami-Dade County post-secondary schools exceeded national levels, with local nonprofit private schools reporting the highest figures.

› GreenTechnologies founder named state’s Small Business Person of Year
Amir Varshovi’s innovative work with local company GreenTechnologies has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Varshovi has been named Florida’s 2014 Small Business Person of the Year, putting him in the race for the national title.

› From shipwrecks to diving history, Florida Keys offers array of museums for visitors
From the treasures of a 1622 shipwreck to 4,000 years of diving history, more than a dozen museums are spread across the more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of islands that make up the Florida Keys.

› FPL: Residential bills lowest in Florida
The Juno Beach-based utility announced that for the fifth year in row, its typical residential customer bill will continue to be the lowest in the state of Florida and about 25 percent lower than the national average.


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› Olive Garden plans to launch online ordering this month
As technology becomes a bigger part of eating out, Darden Restaurants plans to launch online ordering this month at Olive Garden and will soon test other computerized conveniences at LongHorn Steakhouse.

› North Beach aims to lure a college
While no plans are final, the City of Miami Beach’s Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on North Beach is excited about the prospect of a satellite university coming to the area.

› Fueled by tax refunds, March is a big month for shopping
It's the time of year for tax refunds — and also when Central Floridians become a little more free-spending. March is the second-biggest month for overall purchases in the state, with sales spiking for things such as home improvements, medical procedures and even flowers.

› After Duke Energy seeks $54 million, Westinghouse responds with $512 million lawsuit
As widely expected, Westinghouse Electric Co. filed a $512 million lawsuit against Duke Energy over the cancellation of the Levy County nuclear project.