Can housing industry's comeback endure?

The U.S. housing market has sizzled this summer, lifting expectations that home sales will finally help drive an economic expansion now in its seventh year. Or will it? Signs are emerging that housing's momentum may be destined to falter in coming months. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's $500-million man

Google and other tech heavyweights are backing Rony Abovitz and his secretive company Magic Leap in one of the biggest venture capital deals ever. The blue-chip investors have bet half a billion dollars on the ‘augmented reality’ technology company just south of the Fort Lauderdale airport. Access full story

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New hunt for oil in Florida raises environmental concerns

Renewed hunts for oil in sensitive Florida ecosystems have environmental groups raising questions about the state's regulation of the oil and gas industry. From 2012 to 2014, Florida issued three environmental violations for oil and gas operations in the state. [Source: AP]

Baby boomers look to new strategies in saving for retirement

Dire predictions of shortfalls in Social Security resources and personal retirement savings can have a paralyzing effect on many of the nation’s 76 million members of the baby boom generation, now ages 51 to 69. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Are insurance giants good for consumers?

There’s merger mania in the health insurance world, with the latest domino to fall Friday when Anthem and Cigna announced a highly-anticipated $54.2 billion deal early Friday morning. Although these are big national companies, health care is also fundamentally a local business. [Source: Washington Post]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jobs are increasing, but so are food stamp cases [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Six years after the recession, the economic recovery has yet to lift thousands of families in Broward and Palm Beach County from relying on federal assistance to feed themselves. In fact, it's gotten worse.

› Column: Equality will boost Florida business [KeysNet]
In order for Gov. Rick Scott to continue to sell Florida as a place with the right climate for business, we need to step up our game here to make sure our laws reflect the diversity of our state and recognize that our quality of life and our economic health are linked to being a welcoming environment for everyone.

› Professionals play big role in latest Puerto Rico migration [Orlando Sentinel]
The island's economic struggles have pushed many of its doctors, scientists and other technical experts to think about a move to the United States, with a good number considering Central Florida.

› Booming vape shops in South Florida brace for new rules [Miami Herald]
Suddenly, vape shops are everywhere. Just about every strip mall in South Florida seems to have one offering assorted battery-powered tubes and an array of colorful bottles of liquid nicotine.

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› Governor Scott: More than 44,000 individuals with disabilities placed into jobs [WCTV]
According to Gov. Scott, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, working with CareerSource Florida, has helped 44,179 individuals with disabilities gain employment.

› Bill to raise Florida minimum wage faces long odds in Legislature [Gainesville Sun]
State Sen. Dwight Bullard is renewing his quest to lift Florida's minimum wage. He has filed a bill (SB 6) for the 2016 session, which begins in January, that would increase the current $8.05 minimum wage to $15 starting Jan. 1, 2017.

› Orlando's theme parks bustle with construction [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando's theme parks are in build-build-build mode, with major attractions set for grand openings — and competition for visitors — in the coming years. But strategies have changed and differ from company to company, industry observers say.

› Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke steps down to become chief operating officer of the NFL [Tampa Bay Times]
Tod Leiweke said that hockey was his first love when Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik lured him away from the NFL's Seattle Seahawks in 2010 to come rebuild the bay area's failing hockey franchise as its new CEO. Now pro football has wooed Leiweke back.