Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Friday's Daily Pulse

Is Obama's health overhaul losing steam?

The health care law's historic gains in coverage may be leveling off: The Obama administration announced Thursday it expects only a slight overall increase in enrollment next year. More from the AP, CNBC, USA Today, and Bloomberg.

See also:
» Ask Investors Whether Obamacare Is Working

New technology in credit cards leads to headaches for some

Millions of Americans are getting new credit and debit cards with more secure chip technology, and that's already leading to headaches for companies that rely on working cards to charge their customers every month. [Source: AP]

Raymond James may buy Deutsche Bank's U.S. brokerage

Fast-growing St. Petersburg investment firm Raymond James Financial Inc. is in talks to buy the U.S. private-client brokerage of Deutsche Bank AG, Europe's largest investment bank. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Judge dismisses challenge to redistricting efforts

Just days before lawmakers go into a special session to redraw Senate lines, a federal judge this week tossed out a challenge to the way Florida has carried out redistricting standards approved by voters in 2010. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Times/Herald.

Royal Caribbean aims to break cruising stereotypes

Royal Caribbean International wants to change the stereotype that envisions only beachers, shopping and watersports. The cruise line is about to launch its biggest publicity campaign in recent years, aimed at attracting first-time cruisers — particularly millennials — while still appealing to returning cruisers. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Utilities continue to fuel solar amendment
A political committee pushing one of two competing solar-energy initiatives for the 2016 ballot has quickly amassed nearly $1.5 million, with financial backing from Florida's major electric utilities.
» Duke Energy plans to build 5 megawatt solar farm near Tallahassee

› Enrollment opens for Florida's prepaid college plans
Florida's prepaid college plans are now on sale, with the open enrollment period running through Feb. 29. This is the only time of year families can buy one of the five tuition and dormitory plans offered through the Florida Prepaid College Board.

› Panthers make play for big boost in public funds
Hemorrhaging tens of millions of dollars each year, the Florida Panthers have made a new request for public assistance at the BB&T Center hockey arena.

› Miamians push local Chinese hub
Chinese businesses are starting to catch on to Miami’s favorable geographic location. And Miami’s business community is keen on promoting the city as a Latin American hub for Chinese investors.

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› Orlando City Brevard will call EFSC home
It's official. After months of talks Orlando City Soccer Club is going to start a United Soccer League team and Eastern Florida State College will be its home.

› Nonprofit execs move on after decade in Jacksonville: 'It's a pause'
After a decade running prominent Jacksonville nonprofits — and for Bruce Ganger, running into controversy and a lawsuit along the way — the couple is moving to the western North Carolina mountains.

› MacDill's economic impact on Tampa Bay leaps to $4.74 billion
The war in Iraq is over and the United States is drawing down operations in Afghanistan. But the economic impact of MacDill Air Force Base has increased by $1.3 billion the past two years, say figures released by base officials.

› South Floridians hit harder by freeze on Social Security payments
By law, officials said, they cannot raise the monthly benefits because consumer costs nationally are down, largely because of falling gas prices. However, costs in South Florida have risen more than the national rate — even with plummeting prices at the pump.