US job market's lingering weak spot: Stagnant pay

The unemployment rate has sunk to a nearly normal 6.1 percent. Employers have added a robust 2.5 million jobs the past 12 months. Layoffs have tumbled. Yet most people are still waiting for a decent raise. Read more from the AP and see also:

» US industry pay hikes since recession, at a glance
» Execs see grim future for workers

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How to solve a work dilemma with curiosity

Most of us approach business problems as if they were solvable puzzles, when they are often actually mysteries with less obvious solutions. While there are plenty of problems with definite answers, the most pertinent business dilemmas are murkier than that. [Source: Fast Company]

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US to spend $328 million on conservation easements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $328 million in funding Monday to protect and restore farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across the country. The funds will also provide and protect habitat for several endangered and at-risk species including Florida panthers. [Source: AP]

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New cruise ships to bring more options for cruisers

More new cruise ships — with innovative dining, expanded entertainment and high-tech gadgetry — will hit the water in coming years, a sign that the shipbuilding industry is rebounding. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Column: Is growth always good?

Your small business is booming, and you have a seemingly endless string of product orders or requests for your services. That is good, right? Well, at first glance, yes, it is. However, there is such a thing as too much success too soon. [Source: Gainesville Business Report]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Major transgender conference headed to South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Efforts to court lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travelers are paying off for Broward County. The Southern Comfort Transgender Conference has signed on with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring its 2015, 2016 and 2017 events to South Florida.

› A product for victims, and to prevent them [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Carl Cannova never paid too much attention to the workings of law enforcement -- until he drove by the scene of an accident. Now, Cannova is hoping to apply his corporate experience to a new company he's started that makes privacy barriers to shade crime scenes from onlookers.

› Lake Wales investor offers cash to travel startups [Orlando Sentinel]
Lake Wales resident Matt Zito successfully launched and sold two travel-related companies. Then he became an advisor and a consultant. Now he is launching a service called Travel Startups Incubator.

› Florida gets $7M in health insurance grants [AP]
Three Florida organizations will receive nearly $7 million to help consumers sign up for health insurance during the second enrollment season under the Affordable Care Act.

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› Embraer cuts ribbon on engineering and technology center [Florida Today]
Melbourne, and Brevard County, took a big step forward toward its goal of being a world-class aviation and aeronautics hub as Embraer opened its first Engineering & Technology Center at Melbourne International Airport.

› Doral firm sells products in 54 foreign countries, and now is going after the U.S. market [Miami Herald]
A small cosmetics producer in Doral, Concept II Cosmetics LLC, is making its mark in the highly competitive world market of personal bath and beauty products.

› Catalina adds digital coupon business [Tampa Bay Times]
Catalina, the St. Petersburg-based global retail marketing company, is expanding its digital coupons business. Catalina has bought Cellfire, a top provider of online coupons redeemed through grocery store loyalty cards.

› ER Use Dropped As Obamacare Kept Young Adults On Parents' Plans [Forbes]
Emergency department use slowed for young adults up to age 26 once they were allowed to stay on their parents’ health plans under the Affordable Care Act, according to new research.