Friday's Daily Pulse
Pay gap growing between men and women in Florida
The improving economy is increasing the pay gap between men and women in Florida, economists say. Women who worked full time in 2013 took home 83.2 percent of what men in the state earn, according to the most recent data, released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
All-day dining at restaurants across Florida
Kasa in Orlando is among a growing list of restaurants staying open at the traditional closing hours of 2 to 5 p.m. Others include Datz in Tampa, along with its sister establishments Creole Roux and the bakery Dough; News Café in South Beach and Grille 401 in Fort Lauderdale. Full story.
You can't put a price on love but Valentine's Day costs plenty
On February 14th, 2014, Americans spent almost $17.3 billion on romance. That estimated cost of $133.91 per suitor for candy, cards, dinner and gifts, was up from an average of $130.97 in 2013. [Source: FOX Business]
See also:
» 6 Totally Unromantic Truths About Valentine’s Day Spending
House water policy starts to flow
A business-backed plan to address the state’s water resources received initial support in a House committee Wednesday, though it continues to draw questions from environmentalists and Democrats. [Source: Pensacola Today]
Who’s afraid of the rising dollar? Not the thriving U.S. economy
Don’t believe everything you hear about the corrosive effect a more expensive dollar has on corporate America. U.S. businesses and the world’s largest economy can handle the greenback’s strength just fine. [Source: Bloomberg]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Investors have $3.5 million to offer One Spark creators in Jacksonville [Florida Times-Union]
People entering this year’s One Spark crowdfunding festival in downtown Jacksonville will have a shot at a combined $3.5 million in investment money being offered by private investors.
› Orlando home builders shift focus to upper-end houses [Orlando Sentinel]
Buyers interested in purchasing affordable new homes have far fewer selections than they did just a few years ago, a new study shows.
› Major League soccer in Miami in play [Miami Today]
About a year after the Miami-Dade County Commission decided a Major League Soccer stadium is not to open at PortMiami, a county commissioner is now nudging discussions toward a different site.
› 48-foot hybrid yacht makes South Florida debut [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
You might call it the Prius of the seas. Greenline, a brand of electric-diesel yachts, will debut its largest model yet in South Florida this weekend.
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› Miamians driving luxury car sales [Miami Today]
Luxury car sales in Miami remain hot along with the city’s reputation as one of the country’s top automotive markets, dealers say.
› It's tough to get mortgage in Orlando — especially for Hispanics [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando homebuyers, particularly Hispanics, have had a more difficult time getting approved for mortgages than buyers nationally, a new study shows.
› Florida businesses report $155M in projected sales from Arab Health 2015 [Orlando Business Journal]
Florida small businesses that attended Arab Health 2015 reported more than $155 million in total projected sales, Enterprise Florida CEO Gray Swoope said Thursday.
› Richard Petty Driving Experience closing at Disney World [Orlando Sentinel]
The Richard Petty Driving Experience and the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World will close in late June to make way for transportation improvements.