Federal Reserve expected to raise interest rates

The Federal Reserve has held interest rates at super low levels for years in an effort to bolster the economy, but it is expected to raise rates for the first time in seven years this week. More from NPR and the Washington Post.

See also:
» Are they wrong? Fed set to hike at a rough time
» What's so important about the Federal Reserve's interest rate?
» Why do many Americans mistrust the Federal Reserve?
» Gold edges up ahead of Federal Reserve meeting

Hiring increases as employers prepare for new year

Job hunters should step up, not slack off on their efforts to job hunt during the holiday season, recruiters say. That's because employers are both filling year-end slots before they're gone and planning ahead for the staff they expect to need next year as new budgets kick in. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Insuring Health in the Sunshine Economy

Florida leads the nation again for the number of people signing up for individual health insurance Over the first five weeks of open enrollment this fall, 600,000 Floridians signed up. [Source: WLRN]

FAA to require most drones to be registered and marked

Spurred by numerous reports of drones flying near jets and airports, the federal government has decided to require that the aircraft be registered in order to make it easier to identify their owners and educate amateur aviators. [Source: AP]

As Florida Keys flood, property worries seep in

For now, south Florida real estate is booming but experts warn that plenty of cash and land stand to disappear in the next 15 years. As much as $15 billion could be lost in Florida property by 2030, according to Risk Management Solutions (RMS), a leading catastrophe risk modeling company which advises insurance companies. [Source: PHYS.org]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Newell Rubbermaid buying Jarden in $13.2 billion cash-and-stock deal [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Newell Rubbermaid is buying Boca Raton-based Jarden Corp. in a cash-and-stock deal that it says will generate about $16 billion in revenue per year with brands such as Paper Mate, Sharpie, Elmer's, Rubbermaid, Lenox, Yankee Candle and Graco.

› From vine to vendor: a peek at some businesses along the way [Miami Herald]
Like art, the alcohol industry can serve as a primer about time and space, history and geography. Careers in the wine and spirits industry can take one all over the world, wherever wine or liquor is produced.

› Florida faces challenges on marijuana licenses [Jacksonville Business Journal]
Three nurseries rejected by health officials for medical-marijuana licenses are challenging the licenses granted to Florida's first "dispensing organizations," with possibly more appeals on the horizon before a Monday deadline.

› The Miami phenomenon: City draws the world to Florida [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
While some Sarasotans fear the latest wave of condo building will make the city into another Miami, Florida's biggest city seems to welcome its becoming more and more like Manhattan.

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› Darden, Red Lobster fight back after connections to slave labor in Asia [Orlando Sentinel]
Olive Garden and Red Lobster are pushing for changes in the seafood industry after the two restaurant chains, along with dozens of others, were connected to slave labor in Southeast Asian shrimp factories as part of an Associated Press investigation.

› Credit union first in state to buy a commercial lender [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Amid renewed conflict between credit unions and banks, a regional credit union has become the first in Florida to buy a commercial lender, in a move that some believe could launch a national trend.

› Why South Florida's holiday boat parades can be gifts to your business [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With so many eyes on these events, they are festive opportunities to show off businesses through sponsorship and advertising.

› Does live-streaming make sense for your business? [Miami Herald]
The ability to engage clients in real time is invaluable, and live-streaming provides the accessibility, transparency and trust equity that today’s consumers demand.