Florida population milestone: More than 20 million

Florida's growth has reached a major milestone, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau: For the first time, more than 20 million people live in the Sunshine State. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the AP, and the Tampa Bay Times.

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» Florida's population is 20 million strong

U.S. Economy Expanded at Slightly Slower Pace

The U.S. economy expanded at a slightly slower pace than initially estimated in the third quarter, as steady consumer spending was offset by a slowdown in inventory investment. More from the Wall Street Journal and ABC News.

See also:
» Pew survey finds Americans less confident on economy

NASA's next Mars mission suspended

NASA has put its next Mars mission on hold indefinitely because of a leaky instrument. The space agency planned to launch a new Mars lander called InSight in March. [Source: CNN]

100,000 In Florida must find new HealthCare.gov plans

Two insurers - Cigna and Preferred Medical Plan – aren’t offering plans on the Florida health care exchange in 2016, forcing more than 100,000 Floridians to shop for new coverage. [Source: Health News Florida]

Drones flying off the shelves this Christmas season

The mini aircraft are a popular Christmas present this year but the fun for some can lead to potential problems such as crashes, neighbor feuds, privacy invasion and interference with the big aircraft in the sky. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Hotel results mixed in November, but rates rise [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Hotels in South Florida saw mixed results in November, although business was strong enough that they could charge more for rooms.

› Wyncode Academy to launch 3rd location in Miami Beach [Miami Herald]
Wyncode Academy, Florida’s first bricks and mortar coding bootcamp, is expanding in South Florida. Wyncode, which teaches computer programming in nine weeks, will be offering its bootcamp at a third location: WeWork in Miami Beach.

› Lawmaker Proposes State Gaming Commission [Florida Politics]
With a $3 billion gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe now before state lawmakers, a Palm Beach County senator filed legislation Monday to create a new state gambling commission.

› Orlando home price increases, sales lag Florida's [Orlando Sentinel]
Metro Orlando's 11 percent gains in home prices from a year ago doesn't rise to the 14 percent increases across the state, a new report shows.

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› Congratulations pouring in for SpaceX launch, landing [Orlando Sentinel]
SpaceX's double triumph Monday night -- returning to flight with the launch of a Falcon 9, and bringing the rocket safely back to a perfect landing at Cape Canaveral -- is being hailed by the space industry as a dramatic moment for private space.

› Florida considers scrapping no-fault program [Insurance Business America]
A Florida state senator is asking colleagues to support his proposal to do away with the no-fault auto insurance once viewed as the state’s claim to fame.

› ParkJockey partners with PayByPhone to create parking marketplace [Miami Herald]
ParkJockey, a fast-growing Miami-based startup that helps consumers find and reserve parking spaces in advance, and PayByPhone, a leading player in mobile payments for parking by phone, are exclusively partnering to deliver a comprehensive set of off-street and on-street parking services.

› Tampa firm SynDaver Labs gives employees surprise holiday gift [Tampa Bay Times]
The company Christmas party at SynDaver Labs took an unexpected turn last week when the firm's nearly 100 employees got a surprise stocking stuffer — $1.5 million in company stock.