Unemployment rate edges up in Florida

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida's unemployment rate in May 2014 was 6.3 percent, up slightly from 6.2 percent in April. The state lost 17,900 jobs during May. Still, year over year, the unemployment rate of 6.3 percent is down from 7.5 percent in May 2013, and the state has 218,800 more jobs than a year ago. More on this topic from the Tampa Bay Times.

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International buyers bolster Florida's housing market

International home purchasers play an integral role in Florida's housing market, according to an analysis of home sales by Florida TaxWatch. The analysis shows the majority of international investment in Florida's housing market comes from Latin America and the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. These regions are responsible for nearly 90 percent of the purchase of Florida homes by international buyers. Full report: "Buying In, An Analysis of International Homebuyers in Florida."

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Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to help pro sports teams

Miami-Dade Regional Report The business of art fairs Partners Nick Korniloff, Mike Tansey and Brian Tyler have created a for-profit business in Miami that buys and starts up art fairs. This story is part of a regional news roundup for Miami-Dade.

Professional sports organizations looking to build new stadiums or upgrade current ones will get taxpayer help under a bill signed by Gov. Rick Scott. Scott signed the bill that will help pay for proposed projects ranging from a professional soccer stadium in Miami to the renovation of Daytona International Speedway. More from AP.

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UM study finds oil from BP spill impedes fish’s swimming

A new study by the University of Miami has found that oil from the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico is impairing swimming in one of the ocean’s fastest fish, mahi-mahi. Using tiny fish "treadmills," scientists determined baby mahi-mahi that were exposed to oil duing the BP cleanup can only swim three body lengths per second, as compared with their normal five. More from the Miami Herald.

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Olive Garden, Red Lobster sales continue to slide

Darden said Friday that sales continued to slide at Olive Garden and Red Lobster, with other costs dragging down its profit by 35 percent in the latest quarter. The Orlando-based restaurant chain's results fell short of Wall Street expectations, and shares were down 2.5 percent in midday trading. More from the AP.

Scam Alert 'Fake Check' and 'Fake Job' scams are still around In these scams, a “scammer” sends a fake check that looks real to consumers.  Consumers then cash the check with their own bank account and send some of the money back to the company. Here are some tips from the BBB to help avoid being a victim of a "Fake Check" and/or "Fake Job" scam, both which have cropped up again in Florida. » Go to full story.