U.S. economy ending year with a whimper

Recent data suggests economic enthusiasm could be premature. The U.S. economy seems to be slowing just as the Federal Reserve tightens monetary policy. If the trend continues, stocks could weak as the calendar flips into 2016. [Source: CBS News]

See also:
» Will US economy improve in 2016? Americans remain unimpressed
» What 2016 will do to your checkbook
» Economy grew slower than estimated in 3rd quarter, but gains likely in 2016
» The economy will return as a political issue in 2016

Small Businesses Need to Act Fast to Get This Huge Christmas Present

Tucked inside the mammoth tax and spending bill passed by Congress this month is a much-anticipated provision that will lock in a large tax break for small-business capital investments that has been temporary until now. More from the New York Times and Money.

See also:
» 6 tax breaks Congress just passed
» Consider These Tax-Saving Moves Before 2015 Expires

U.S. retailers drop shipping fees to counter weak holiday sales

Stung by a spending slowdown, more retailers are offering free online shipping, giving consumers a holiday gift but cutting into profits. This year, 90 percent of all retailers are providing free delivery, up from 78 percent in 2014. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Weather Impacts The Economy More Than You Think

It's estimated weather forecasting is now a $3 billion business because forecasters can sell information to businesses wanting both short and long-term weather projections. [Source: CBS]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Port of call: Urban living in Tampa's Channel District

The last time that Port Tampa Bay began work on a master plan to guide growth and development, the idea of creating a large mixed-use community would have seemed far-fetched. [Source: Florida Trend]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› State Supreme Court rejects workers' comp challenge [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
The Florida Supreme Court has turned down a lawsuit that questioned the constitutionality of the state's workers' compensation insurance system — though the system continues to face three other closely watched challenges at the high court.

› Publisher sues JaxPort over contract to produce port publications [Florida Times-Union]
Clements Publishing Co. of Jacksonville Beach filed the lawsuit against JaxPort seeking an injunction over the JaxPort procurement procedures that ended with the agency awarding a contract to produce magazines and a business directory to another company in November.

› Who will fight medical-marijuana initiative this time? [Orlando Sentinel]
With it becoming increasingly likely that Florida voters will be asked again to legalize medical marijuana, the group behind the ballot initiative must prepare for still-unknown opposition.

› Staples calls FTC's Office Depot case 'fundamentally flawed' [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Staples Inc. has made its opening salvo against the U.S. case seeking to block its takeover of Office Depot Inc., saying the claims are "fundamentally flawed" because the office-supply retailers compete against numerous vendors like W.B. Mason Co. and Amazon.com Inc.

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› Lennar buys 36 acres in Hialeah for $24 million [Miami Herald]
Miami home-building giant Lennar has paid $24.16 million for a 36-acre parcel of land in Hialeah, according to county records.

› Specialty Agriculture Issues Loom For Florida Legislators [Growing Produce]
The new year is ushering in an early legislative session that starts Jan. 12 with a full slate of agricultural priorities.

› Veteran homelessness all but ended in Orlando, official says [Orlando Sentinel]
On an annual day of mourning for homeless people who have died in the preceding year, there was also reason to celebrate Tuesday: Virtually all of the region's once-chronically homeless veterans are now in housing, a top official said.

› El Nino turns winter weather upside down [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A weather pattern partly linked with El Nino has turned winter upside-down across the U.S. during a week of heavy holiday travel, bringing spring-like warmth to the Northeast, a risk of tornadoes in the South and so much snow across the West that even skiing slopes have been overwhelmed.