Florida exports plunge 10.9% in August

The latest international trade numbers show that $4 billion worth of goods left Florida for international markets in August, a decrease of 10.9 percent from July, according to Durham, N.H.-based e-forecasting.com. The August data is the most recent available. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

Florida Trend Exclusive
In good company: Gina Duncan's story

In 2007, at 50, Greg Pingston decided to no longer keep living an “inauthentic life” and decided to transition to the female gender. After telling his family, he informed his employer. Access full story.

See also:
» Making strides: Seven Florida companies and their LGBT policies

Prices, politics challenge health law's 3rd sign-up season

Enrollment on the federal and state exchanges began Sunday. While the law's expanded coverage has reduced the uninsured rate to a historic low of about 9 percent, the gains will be harder in 2016. Supporters may feel they're running to stay in place, rather than taking a victory lap during the president's last full year in office. [Source: AP]

What SBA's record year for loans means for small business

The Small Business Administration backed a record $23.6 billion in loans to small businesses through its flagship 7(a) program in fiscal 2015, which ended Sept. 30. Demand was so strong for 7(a) loans this summer that the SBA had to briefly shut down the program until Congress raised the program’s authorization level. [Source: The Business Journals]

Gas prices will dip in November -- but not as much as usual

Last year, the price of regular gas in Florida fell by 11 cents per gallon during November, and it has dipped by an average 8 cents per gallon every November since 2000. Gas prices may not fall as quickly this year, since prices for crude oil already are relatively low. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Bill would put Uber under state regulations [Orlando Sentinel]
Renewing a high-stakes debate, a House Republican on Monday filed a proposal that would prevent app-based services such as Uber and Lyft from being regulated like taxicabs.

› Luxe real-estate rivalry turns nasty in Miami [Miami Herald]
In the cut-throat world of South Florida luxury real estate, the glamorous Miami Beach duo known as The Jills has long reigned supreme — provoking plenty of professional jealousy along the way.

› UF dropouts celebrate 30 years of Gumby's Pizza [Gainesville Sun]
Thirty years ago, fraternity brothers Chance Hippler and Jeff O’Brien dropped out of the University of Florida as finance juniors to open a small pizza business in downtown Gainesville. Gumby’s Pizza and Wings has since gone on to $150 million in sales.

› Can you launch new business in 3 days? [Orlando Sentinel]
The countdown ends this weekend for the launch of a new business-building competition in Orlando. Weekend Launch, which will give teams three days to build a business essentially from scratch, begins Friday.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Office Depot shareholders' lawsuits over merger dismissed [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Consolidated lawsuits filed by Office Depot shareholders over its planned merger with rival Staples have been voluntarily dismissed in a Delaware Court, Office Depot reported in a securities filing Friday.

› Sarasota looks to Utah for model homeless program [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota city officials last week joined some 60 people, mostly from central Florida, on a fact-finding trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they saw firsthand one of the nation's most successful Housing First programs.

› Fresh from Florida expands Fresh Summit presence [The Packer]
Walking the aisles of the Fresh from Florida pavilion at Fresh Summit, one could sense more excitement in the exhibits.

› Startupbootcamp chooses Miami for first U.S. accelerator [Miami Herald]
Startupbootcamp, Europe’s largest business accelerator operating in eight countries, will launch its first U.S. program in Miami, with $2 million in support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.