Florida Supreme Court approves overhaul of congressional maps

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday approved a plan to overhaul state congressional boundaries that a judge had declared unconstitutionally gerrymandered, a move that jeopardizes several incumbents in the 2016 election. Full story is here. Also see the Times/Herald, and the AP.

See also:
» Florida Supreme Court opinion

U.S. companies step up hiring in November

American businesses stepped up hiring last month, led by strong gains in retail, finance and other service industries, a private survey found. Payroll processor ADP said Wednesday that companies added 217,000 jobs last month, the most in five months. More from ADP, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and NJBiz.

See also:
» Private payrolls, compensation data point to sturdy jobs market

Charter school reforms back under consideration

An effort by Florida lawmakers to make charter schools more accountable for their operations — while also removing barriers for new schools to open — is getting traction once again in the state House. [Source: Miami Herald]

Auto sales hit 14-year high in November

Black Friday promotions — some of which began well before Thanksgiving — pushed last month's sales to a 14-year high of 1.3 million, just short of a record for the month. Sales were up 1.4 percent from last November, according to Autodata Corp. [Source: AP]

Should you borrow money from a BDC instead of a bank?

Despite a loosening credit market, access to capital for small businesses lags behind the economic recovery. To fill the void, dozens of private firms known as business development companies (BDCs) are making mid-size direct cash loans available to small to middle-market companies throughout the country. [Source: NFIB]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Sarasota airport looks to lure more nonstop flights [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Conversations continue with major airlines as airport officials at Sarasota-Bradenton International persist in trying to add more nonstop flights for the region.

› Bill to open the door to fracking in Florida moves forward [AP]
Florida could be opened up to fracking under a bill that would require the Department of Environmental Protection to study and set regulations for the method of oil and gas drilling.

› Startups use Art Week for launch events, networking [Miami Herald]
With champagne and red Ferraris or food trucks and yoga on the green, South Florida startups have found innovative ways to make splashy debuts or market their brands during Miami Art Week.

› Florida medical-tourism bill would direct Enterprise Florida spending [Orlando Sentinel]
A Senate panel Tuesday approved a bill aimed at boosting "medical tourism,'' which could attract out-of-state residents to seek care from Florida hospitals and other health providers.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Southwest Florida contingent to troll for business at massive Singapore air show [Naples Daily News]
Enterprise Florida Inc. will fly back to the Singapore Air Show in 2016, with a handful of Florida businesses in tow.

› NextEra developing solar in Hawaii, sells gas-fired plants in Texas [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
NextEra Energy Resources, a unit of the Juno Beach group that also owns Florida Power & Light, announced investments in solar facilities in Hawaii and the sale of natural gas-fueled plants in Texas.

› Buccaneers, sports authority agree on $100 million Raymond James Stadium upgrade [Tampa Bay Times]
The owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Sports Authority have reached an agreement on paying for a $100 million makeover to Raymond James Stadium.

› Orange eyes expanding 7 million-square-foot convention center [Orlando Sentinel]
Orange County would like to expand its giant convention center by adding nearly 2 acres of conference rooms, a 1,500-space parking garage, a 130,000-square-foot multipurpose hall with seating for 12,000 and other features to enhance the nation's largest meeting place.