Large employers hiring as revenues rise

Large employers are starting to turn their profits into new employees, buoyed by higher consumer confidence and Florida's economic recovery. In the uncertain economy of recent years, many businesses held onto profits and were reluctant to hire. But more companies, especially in South Florida, are showing a higher degree of confidence. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Court fight over new political maps kicks off

A court fight over Florida's political landscape kicked off Friday, as attorneys for the Republican-controlled Legislature and groups suing them clashed over the question of whether legislators intended to thwart the will of voters when they drew new districts for congressional seats in 2012. [Source: AP]

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Labor, land constraints slow South Florida homebuilders

Home construction in Palm Beach and Broward counties continues at a modest but unspectacular pace, though it isn't lack of demand that's holding back builders. The biggest headaches: labor and land constraints. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Drones take flight in Florida

Nearly 8,000 people are expected to attend the 41st conference and trade show of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International in Orlando. Day-of tickets will cost more than $1,000, and the public is not invited. Currently, only military and public agencies, including universities, are allowed to fly working drones. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Just graduated, and fumbling through a first job

Nowadays, many companies operate with fewer employees and tighter budgets than ever before, so there's not as much willingness — or time — to let novices come up to speed gradually.

Rapid technological changes mean that some employees are much more computer-savvy but also that ideas of etiquette may differ widely. [Source: New York Times]

See also:
» Among college grads seeking work, some have an intern edge

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› South Florida-based banks loaning more — billions more [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
As the economy improves, banks headquartered in South Florida are loaning more money to businesses and individuals — billions of dollars more. The 10 largest with branches in Broward or Palm Beach counties all expect lending to increase in 2014. Most are already showing dramatic increases.

› As their markets change, so do Northeast Florida farmers' crops [Florida Times-Union]
The farmers who once grew little but cabbage and potatoes are having to change, having to try new and some old crops to keep their farms in business.

› Seminoles plan to spend $100 million this year [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The 500-room Seminole Hard Rock Hotel runs at 98 percent capacity. On Fridays and Saturdays, more than 40,000 people shuffle through the Hollywood casino complex. So the Seminoles are making some upgrades and renovations. The total outlay for 2014 for the tribe's seven properties: $100 million.

› Hardluck Homestead lags in housing recovery [Miami Herald]
It seems that Homestead’s trajectory was never destined to be a straight line. Flattened by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the rural community struggled for years to get on track. Fifteen years later, a speculative homebuilding boom on cheap farmland turned into a spectacular bust.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Westgate Resorts says it has added 1,500 new jobs this year [Orlando Sentinel]
Westgate Resorts announced Friday that it has added 1,500 new positions this year. According to a news release, 775 new positions were added in Central Florida. A spokesman for the timeshare resort company, Frank Blanco, said the hiring represents actual growth in the full-time and part-time workforce and not just seasonal hiring.

› For David Beckham, latest soccer stadium site poses new challenges [Miami Herald]
If the notion of building a Major League Soccer stadium on PortMiami land seemed fraught with practical complications and political pitfalls, try putting one on water. David Beckham and his investors are examining whether filling a deep boat slip with rocks would work as a location for their planned stadium.

› When choosing colleges, calculate the money factor [McClatchy]
This spring, millions of high school seniors are contemplating their college choices for next fall. In addition to where, another equally critical calculation in deciding which college to attend is how much. With college costs at budget-breaking levels, there has been a push to make the college-cost comparisons easier for families.
» See also: Eight tips for parents who have saved nothing for college

› Reports of residences with Chinese drywall dwindling [Fort Myers News-Press]
Homeowners continue to come to the Lee County property appraiser seeking tax relief for having homes built with Chinese drywall, but the number of new reports has dwindled to a handful, county officials said Friday. Florida has the highest number of drywall residences. Lee is the focal point of the problem.