Florida aims for $100 billion in tourism spending by 2020

Florida aims to bring in $100 billion in total tourism related spending by 2020, but attracting more tourists isn’t the key strategy in driving up dollars. The influx will come from the experience rather than filling more hotel beds. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» Tourism leaders share ideas to keep visitors flocking to Florida
» Rapper Pitbull named ambassador for Florida tourism

Florida Supreme Court weighs solar energy ballot initiative

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about the language of a proposed constitutional amendment that would let consumers buy electricity from independent solar power companies, rather than stay dependent on state-regulated utilities. Full story here.

See also:
» Supporters, opponents to solar choice amendment square off before Florida Supreme Court
» Your turn: Should Florida residents be allowed to purchase electricity from independant solar power companies? Take a quick poll, here.

U.S. stocks plunge after bleak Chinese manufacturing report

Markets are turning turbulent again after investors were unnerved by more signs of weakness in China, the world's second-largest economy. U.S. stocks sank 3 percent Tuesday, their third-worst drop this year. The two bigger falls occurred in the last two weeks. More from the AP and the Wall Street Journal.

Comcast teeing up new services targeted at millennials

Comcast, which became a TV powerhouse by signing up Generation Xers, baby boomers and their parents, now is fighting for millennial eyeballs. It's the latest effort by the TV industry to attract younger customers at a time when ratings are sliding and more millennials are becoming "cord cutters" by ditching traditional cable entirely. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

See also:
» Comcast to begin capping data in South Florida

Column: Ocean acidification threatens Florida's economy

Ocean acidification does not bode well for our oceans' ecosystems, and especially for Florida's fishing and tourist economies that demand access to clean waters and healthy and abundant sea life in all forms. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Biden to test political waters in Florida [KSAT]
Vice President Joe Biden is headed to Florida, where he's sure to get a glimpse of his presidential prospects as he considers a late entry into the 2016 Democratic primaries.

› Gov. Rick Scott encourages Kentucky businesses to relocate to Florida [Space Coast Daily]
Governor Rick Scott announced that he will lead a domestic economic development mission to Kentucky in September to encourage businesses to relocate to Florida.

› Visit Jacksonville snags state award for 'Jax Ale Trail' marketing [Florida Times-Union]
Visit Jacksonville, Duval County’s tourism agency, received a state award for its marketing program to lure more tourists to the area.

› Real estate startups eye Orlando home recovery [Orlando Sentinel]
Out of the rubble of one of the nation's hardest-hit housing markets has emerged several real estate startups aimed at helping buyers sidestep mistakes.

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› Herald sues Florida over prison death records [Miami Herald]
The Miami Herald has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections, alleging that the agency has violated the state’s open record laws by withholding information about suspicious deaths and possible sexual and physical assaults of inmates.

› Statewide forestry inventory results released [Suwannee Democrat]
The study, led by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Florida Forest Service, evaluated the distribution, availability, ownership and sustainability of Florida's timber resources.

› Construction job growth flat in Southwest Florida [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Hiring in Southwest Florida's construction trades was flat in July, with 19,500 employed in the industry, according to an analysis of federal employment data by a national trade group.

› Duke Energy, TECO to cut electric rates with fall in fuel prices [Tampa Bay Times]
Floridians will see their electric rates drop in 2016 because of the lower price of the natural gas that generates most of the state's power.