Anthem to buy Cigna for $54 billion

Health insurer Anthem has agreed to acquire Cigna for $54.2 billion. Anthem owns Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers in 14 states, but does not own FloridaBlue. The deal comes just weeks after Aetna agreed to acquire Humana, the smallest of the big five insurers. If both transactions are completed, they would shrink the number of major health insurers in the United States to three. More from New York Times.

Health measures improve in Florida

Florida is faring poorly on economic factors that influence child poverty, but key health indicators -- from low-birthweight babies to child health insurance rates and teens who abuse drugs and alcohol – have improved, according to the latest Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. More from Health News Florida and the Gainesville Sun.

The disappearing Apalachicola oyster

Apalachicola’s oysters are purported to be some of the best on earth. But, there's a problem with oysters from Apalachicola Bay: They're getting harder and harder to find beyond the hyperlocal market. [Source: Eater]

How to fall back in love with your job

Even exciting jobs have boring days. And when you’ve been doing the same tasks, going to the same office, and working with the same people day in and day out, you’re bound to fall into a rut on occasion. When that happens, how do you recognize what’s happening and counteract it? [Source: Harvard Business Review]

Investing in tourism results in Florida job growth

Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute and government watchdog, says, "Florida's thriving tourism industry provides extraordinary opportunities for economic growth." [Source: Florida TaxWatch]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Hotel alternatives find stake in Orlando's vacation market [Orlando Sentinel]
Online services such as Airbnb and HomeAway are changing the way some vacationers spend their money in Central Florida.

› UCF offers loan forgiveness for doctoral nursing program [AP]
The University of Central Florida is offering nurses seeking a Master's Degree a change a loan forgiveness opportunity. The program is funded with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. I

› Cuban Consulate Possibility Divides Miami, Tampa [WUSF]
Now that Cuba has an embassy again in Washington, D.C., consulates could be coming to serve its people, most of whom live in Florida. Miami and Tampa have the closest historical ties to the island, but they have very different things to say about the idea.

› Shepp named Department of Citrus interim chief [Orlando Sentinel]
Shannon Shepp has been named interim executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, replacing Doug Ackerman who resigned Monday after his arrest last week on a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge.

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› Harry Potter boosts Comcast performance in second quarter earnings [Orlando Sentinel]
Second-quarter revenue and operating cash flow at Universal theme parks soared by double digits compared with the previous year, parent company Comcast Corp. reported Thursday.

› Miami commission endorses Beckham soccer negotiations [Miami Herald]
Negotiations to build a professional soccer stadium across from Marlins Park can officially commence after city of Miami commissioners voted Thursday to authorize talks between Miami officials and Miami Beckham United.

› Gov. Rick Scott meets Winter the Dolphin, touts tourism spending in Clearwater visit [Tampa Bay Times]
Two of the best-known names in Florida — Gov. Rick Scott and Winter the Dolphin — had a face-to-snout Thursday morning. In a brief visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Scott predicted a huge payoff for the $74 million earmarked for tourism funding in this year's state budget.

› Raymond James' broker wave leads to 'very solid' quarter [Reuters]
Raymond James Financial recruited a record number of brokers last quarter, a personnel tsunami that raised expenses but led to a "very solid quarter," Chief Executive Officer Paul Reilly said Thursday.