Small firms fear missing out on tax relief

President Barack Obama's administration recently sent a blunt message to small business owners who worry tax reform could leave them paying higher income tax rates than corporations: Consider going corporate yourselves. [Source: Reuters]

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NASA and EDC form ‘strategic alliance’

NASA and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast announced Wednesday they have formed a “strategic alliance” aimed at bringing cutting-edge technologies and resources to help solve manufacturing and technology challenges for various industries. [Source: Florida Today]

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Virtual Reality: What’s here and what’s possible

Will 2015 be the year virtual reality technology goes mainstream? Industry experts speaking at The B.I.G. Summit this week in Miami Beach believe the time is right for more widespread adoption, and presented ways immersive experiences are already being used in industries. [Source: Miami Herald]

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Former Securities and Exchange Commission chairwoman says financial illiteracy pervades U.S.

What investors don’t know in the United States definitely will hurt them financially and they don’t know a lot, said the former chairwoman of the federal Securities and Exchange Commission during a luncheon Tuesday in Jacksonville. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

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Cuba, US see good first day of historic talks

US and Cuban officials launched historic talks to shed their Cold War-era hostility Wednesday, complimenting each other on the first day's progress despite persistent differences over migration policy. More from AFP and the Miami Herald.

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida home insurance most expensive in nation [Tampa Bay Times]
It's still more expensive to buy homeowners insurance in Florida than anywhere else in the country. In fact, Florida homeowners are now paying more than double the national average.

› UF/IFAS Extension can bolster economy [Tallahassee Democrat]
Our potential economic advantages over other states lie in our natural resources and tropical climate. What converts these advantages into a competitive edge is our people, who have a knack for seeing the future and the courage to take a risk.

› Miami Free Zone brands itself anew [Miami Today]
Entering its 36th year, the Miami Free Zone continues to promote itself as a wholesale marketplace and international business center.

› IMG Academy to host pro soccer tournament [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A new tournament featuring Major League Soccer and international futbol clubs will debut next month at IMG Academy, where a dozen teams will train and compete for the second consecutive year.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› $1M proposed for K-12 STEM education [Pensacola News-Journal]
Governor Rick Scott has announced $1 million in proposed funding to partner with high-tech companies in Florida to create a paid summer residency program for STEM teachers to bring new industry trends in STEM fields back to Florida's K-12 classrooms.

› Florida House panel approves guns on college campuses [Tampa Bay Times]
The Florida House is moving quickly on a proposal to allow guns on college campuses. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 4005) in a party-line vote Tuesday, making it the first bill to advance in the Florida House this year.

› Ouster of Florida's top cop could spark power shift [AP]
The abrupt ouster of the leader of Florida's main law-enforcement agency could lead to a major shakeup in how the state Cabinet and the governor hire top officials.
» See also: Attorney General Pam Bondi raises 'serious' questions over Gov. Rick Scott's actions in FDLE firing

› Florida among states with highest checking account fees [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida is among states with the highest checking account fees in the nation, according to a recent WalletHub study.