Gas prices at lowest level since 2009

The average price of a regular gallon of gas dipped below $2 nationwide Monday for the first time in nearly seven years, the AAA travel club reported. Adjusted for inflation, gas prices are almost the lowest they have ever been, said Mark Soskin, a professor of economics at the University of Central Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel, NBC News, MarketWatch, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

See also:
» Gas Prices Just Dropped Below a Monumental Point
» Low gas prices may fuel a bounce-back sales season
» Gas prices fall below $2 per gallon nationally; Jacksonville prices dipping lower

Tech employers shower workers with unusual perks

The Perk Wars are raging across our nation. With cutthroat competition for talent and a sizzling job market in Silicon Valley and beyond, tech companies are seeking to attract and retain employees by pretty much spoiling them rotten. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

How America's rich are viewing stocks, economy into 2016

America's rich have a sober outlook on the U.S. economy headed into 2016, with more millionaires assuming another year with a flat S&P 500 index leading to a lower personal rate of return and a majority belief among millionaires that household income will remain the same. [Source: CNBC]

Initiative to open Fla. solar market unlikely to make ballot

Supporters of a ballot initiative seeking to increase the amount of solar power generated in Florida by allowing businesses to sell sun power directly to consumers say it's unlikely to qualify for the 2016 ballot. [Source: AP]

Holiday shopping 2015: Consumers buying less expensive gifts

For nearly a decade, shoppers have been more cautious and practical about their spending, doing more bargain shopping and hunting for deals. But recently, shoppers have taken that practice a step further. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida lawmakers consider ending PIP auto insurance [Orlando Sentinel]
The state's personal-injury protection auto insurance system, known as "no-fault," would end in 2019 under proposals ready to go before lawmakers.

› HEICO signs deal for helicopter fuel systems company [Miami Herald]
South Florida-based HEICO Corp., which designs and produces niche aviation and space products, announced an agreement to acquire Tempe, Ariz.-based Robertson Fuel Systems for $255 million, pending regulator approval.

› UCF lands $1.5 million for downtown Orlando campus [Orlando Sentinel]
UCF leaders announced Monday they locked down the first major private donation for building the proposed downtown Orlando campus. The Orlando Magic pledged $1.5 million over several years to construct the main academic building.

› Silver Airways eyes Cuba flights in 2016 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Fort Lauderdale carrier has announced its intent to offer nonstop flights to Cuba, possibly in 2016, after last week's agreement between Cuba and the U.S. to allow commercial flights between the two countries to resume in the near future.

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› Donald Trump gears up for full-scale Florida campaign [Orlando Sentinel]
Donald Trump has confounded the Republican political establishment in Florida and across the nation with both his strength and durability. And in Florida, Trump is quietly assembling a political organization.

› Column: Fed Rate Hikes Will Dampen Sales Of U.S. Homes To International Buyers [Forbes]
The Federal Reserve’s steady round of rate hikes over the next two years will hold back foreign home buyers from Western Europe and Canada. The reason is the Federal Reserve policy change to raise interest rates will make the U.S. dollar stronger. That in turn will make it more costly to buy in America for foreigners.

› Cigar factories, key pieces of Tampa's past, for sale [Tampa Bay Times]
As luxury apartments and new housing developments spring up all over the region, a few grand old buildings stand as solid reminders of what helped make Tampa the city it is today.

› Darden explores Olive Garden delivery service [Orlando Business Journal]
Darden Restaurants Inc. has had a lot of success with its take-out business at its largest brand, so much that it’s looking expand that into what could become a chainwide delivery service.