U.S. consumer, housing data underscore economy's resilience

U.S. consumer confidence improved in January despite a stock market rout and house prices accelerated in November, suggesting underlying strength in the economy despite a sharp growth slowdown in recent months. [Source: Reuters]

See also:
» U.S. home prices rise 5.8% in November, hit all-time highs in 4 cities
» It’s a seller’s market but are homes still affordable?
» Southwest Florida home prices spike
» Home prices rise in South Florida

Senate plan boosts schools spending by $143 million over Scott plan

Senate budget writers are considering a larger education spending increase than Gov. Rick Scott sought, though lawmakers are still considering how to offset an increase in local property taxes that helps pay for the historic number. More from the Palm Beach Post and the Tampa Bay Times.

Legislative Roundup:
» Legislators push for longer terms in Florida
» Bill would cut red tape for hospitalized students who want to keep up with schoolwork
» State employee pay raises get hearing
» Teachers are speaking out, but is the Legislature listening?
» Florida House panel backs mandatory school recess

El Niño adds to insurer warning on U.S.-leading Florida weather risks

Florida leads the nation in water-related car insurance claims from January to March, Farmers Insurance figures — and strange weather conditions only make the forecast worse. Florida — with its flat landscape, canals, and the nation’s most flood policies on properties — best be on alert the rest of this winter. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

Obama administration loosens Cuba embargo with new measures

The Obama administration is loosening the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba with a new round of regulations allowing American companies to sell to Cuba on credit and export a limited number of products to the Cuban government, officials said Tuesday. [Source: Florida Politics]

Florida League of Cities drops opposition to fracking bill

The Florida League of Cities is dropping its opposition to a highly controversial fracking bill after Republican sponsors and their industry allies agreed to give local officials some say over where oil and gas drilling could occur. [Source: WFSU]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Can Central Florida become medical tourism destination? [Orlando Sentinel]
Attracting more medical tourists is the hope of local leaders and providers who gathered at Florida Hospital on Monday morning during a medical tourism town hall meeting held by the Florida Chamber Foundation.

› Miramar set to eliminate background checks in business applications [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Miramar commission will vote Wednesday night whether to eliminate a required criminal background check for business owners seeking to set up in the city.

› Illinois company moving to Palmetto [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A company that provides prescription labels that gives print-impaired patients important prescription information is moving its administrative and sales functions to Palmetto.

› UCF pops with new restaurants aimed at millennials [Orlando Sentinel]
The UCF neighborhood is becoming a hot spot for the fastest-growing part of the restaurant industry — fast casual restaurants.

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› SunTrust's Super Bowl commercial to highlight financial stress [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
SunTrust Bank would be perfectly happy if the Super Bowl went down to the wire. The bank, one of the largest in South Florida, has scheduled a 30-second commercial toward the end of the game to highlight financial stress.

› Lockheed shares sink after earnings, spinoff announcement [Orlando Sentinel]
Lockheed, which employs thousands in the Orlando area, said spinning off its IT business will help it focus on core business in aerospace and defense. Many people in Central Florida own Lockheed stock.

› Southwest Florida dead last for STEM professions [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota finished dead last on a list of 100 metropolitan areas for so-called STEM professions, or science, technology, engineering and math — dragged down by factors including wages and growth, housing affordability and per-capita openings for STEM graduates.

› 61 pythons caught so far in Florida’s ‘Python Challenge’ [AP]
Florida wildlife officials say 61 Burmese pythons have been caught so far in a state-sanctioned hunt. Cool temperatures and more training for hunters may be helping. The monthlong “Python Challenge” ends Feb. 14.