Household income approaches prerecession level

New figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show the median household income last year was almost $47,500. That's not only an increase over 2013's median income of $46,000, but it's the highest since the start of the recession. [Source: AP]

See also:
» The American middle class has lost a quarter century
» Household income, poverty numbers stay about the same

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida lawmakers' 'sprinkle fund'

For as long as the Florida Legislature has been developing and passing budgets, one of the perks of being Senate president or House Speaker has been the ability to hold back a bit of anticipated tax revenue for the leaders to allocate at the end of budget negotiations. But over the years, that pot of money has gotten larger. Access full story.

When treasure hunting is the family business

Not everyone wants to go into the family business. The world is littered with the children of tailors or lawyers or insurance agents who want to break free. But what if your father is a treasure hunter? [Source: Atlas Obscura]

A Florida vacation just got cheaper

After months of falling fuel prices, air passengers are finally benefiting. Taking an average American family on vacation to Florida now would cost at least $400 less than it did a year ago, thanks to the fall in crude oil, and trickle-down of airline prices. [Source: CNBC]

Airline ancillary revenue tops $38 billion in 2014

Extra costs associated with air travel — from baggage fees to extra leg room to car rental commissions — continue to soar, a new report has found. Ancillary revenue reported by dozens of global airlines jumped to $38.1 billion in 2014, a 20.9 percent increase over the previous year. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› South Florida housing markets among least affordable [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Palm Beach and Broward counties rank among the 35 least affordable housing markets nationwide, according to a new report that factors in home prices and the costs of utilities and traveling to work.
See also:
» Sarasota County has affordable housing 'crisis'
» Palm Beach County ranks as 15th least-affordable market

› Clothing, medical costs jump in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Apparel prices climbed 10.2 percent in August from a year ago in South Florida, while medical costs rose 6.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Consumers did get a break on transportation costs, which dropped 8.9 percent last month in the metro area from a year ago.

› Central Florida startup lands appearance on ABC's 'Shark Tank' season premiere [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida entrepreneur Chris Gilpin still pinches himself when he thinks about next Friday’s episode of ABC’s Shark Tank. Gilpin, 34, of Debary, was selected from about 30,000 original applicants to be on national TV pitching his product for this season.

› Another luxury car line has moved to Jaxport [Jacksonville Business Journal]
Porsche Cars North America Inc. has selected Jacksonville as its new port of entry for new Porsche vehicles bound for Southeastern dealers, according to a statement.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Duke Energy flunks international group's climate change challenge [Tampa Bay Times]
Duke Energy ranks among the worst of the world's 100 largest companies that are "obstructing climate change legislation," according to a study released Wednesday.

› Less is more when applying for a job [Florida Today]
All job hunters make mistakes — some major, some minor. Adding “what to avoid” to the secrets behind a successful job hunt is a great idea.

› Boatsetter, Cruzin team up to dominate boat-sharing marketplace [Miami Herald]
Two big competitors are teaming up to make a giant splash in the young, burgeoning boat-sharing marketplace. Aventura-based Boatsetter and San Francisco-based Cruzin announced Tuesday that they are merging their companies.

› Orlando tourist attractions bring the show to resort guests [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida's bevy of attractions are enough to overwhelm any tourist planning a trip here. Gatorland is among a handful of animal-oriented attractions that bring part of their attraction to tourists staying in area resorts.