U.S. stocks close out their worst month in 3 years

Fears about a slowdown in China's economy and concerns over when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates pushed stocks sharply lower last month. Things are not likely to change in September. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Smart card transition catches some businesses by surprise

Oct. 1 is the date set by the U.S. payments industry for banks to finish replacing credit and debit cards that use the old magnetic stripe technology with more secure smart cards sporting microchips. [Source: Miami Herald]

Steps to negotiating a great salary

Where most people go wrong when negotiating a starting salary is failing to make it clear during the interview process they know their own worth and are looking to create a business-to-business partnership. [Source: Inc.]

As drone usage soars in Latin America, so do concerns

Authorities around Latin America are scrambling to enact regulations to catch up to the reality of drone usage, seeking to reassure a citizenry that is not altogether calm about the phenomenon. Signs are already arising that criminals view drones as a new tool in their kit. [Source: McClatchy]

Florida consumer confidence inches up in August

Consumer confidence across Florida grew slightly from July to August, but the numbers might not fully reflect the recent roller-coaster ride of the stock market, according to a University of Florida report released Monday. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Big changes to One Spark 2016 mean smaller crowdfunding festival [Florida Times-Union]
One Spark organizers say the 2016 crowdfunding festival is going to be significantly reduced in size and duration compared to the first three years of the event which engulfed downtown Jacksonville.

› Brevard incentives for Blue Origin, Embraer up for vote [Florida Today]
Brevard County commissioners on Tuesday plan to cast their final votes on incentive packages totaling $10.5 million for space company Blue Origin and aviation company Embraer.

› Italian star to coach Miami FC soccer team [Miami Herald]
While David Beckham and his team of investors continue to negotiate for a stadium deal next to Marlins Park, Miami’s other new pro soccer team, Miami FC, announced Monday that Italian legend Alessandro Nesta will be its head coach when the team begins play in April.

› Solar energy group prepares to defend constitutional amendment [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida is one of just four states in the country where homeowners and businesses can't enter into an agreement directly with a solar power provider to put panels on their roof and buy the energy from them over time.

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› Controversy grows over plan to revamp issuance of millions of Florida driver licenses [Times/Herald]
Florida motorists enjoy getting their shiny new driver licenses on the spot, but the state is studying a possible change to a new system that's stirring warnings of a possible "disaster" with drivers waiting up to two weeks for their cards.

› Flippers find a way [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Unprecedented demand for Southwest Florida real estate has reduced the supply of homes to its lowest in a decade. The glut of foreclosures has diminished, picked clean by Wall Street hedge funds that have turned neighborhood eyesores into profitable rentals.

› Florida falling behind in protecting your kids' data [WTSP]
A lot of us might think about bullies or troublemakers as threats to our kids at school, but experts say hackers are a big back-to-school risk for your kids that could affect their future.

› Why Miami’s global impact should grow — not wane — as foreign currencies decline [Miami Herald]
Nearly seven years ago, at the height of the Great Recession, naysayers were predicting that it would take about 20 years to absorb the glut of new construction in South Florida.