Led by construction and healthcare, Florida outpaces U.S. in income growth

Driven by vigorous pay increases in construction and health care jobs, personal income in Florida rose 5.2 percent in 2015 over 2014, outpacing the nation's income growth rate last year of 4.4 percent. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the South Florida Business Journal.

Dream of on-demand world fading

Across a variety of on-demand apps, prices are rising, service is declining, business models are shifting, and in some cases, companies are closing down. Here is what we are witnessing: the end of the on-demand dream. [Source: New York Times]

Human space flight from Florida next year 'realistic,' experts say

Humans have not launched from Florida's Space Coast since NASA shut down its shuttle program in 2011. But by the end of next year, Florida could have two companies – Boeing and SpaceX – sending astronauts to the International Space Station from the coast. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

What the 8 years since the recession torpedoed Florida’s state budget tell us about Gov. Rick Scott’s priorities

Gov. Rick Scott vowed to make steep spending cuts upon taking office in 2011. With an assist from state lawmakers, he's done just that in the past six years. And yet, despite those cuts and many more, the state budget climbed by $12 billion. What gives? [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Interested in a degree that merges entertainment and business?

UCF trustees have approved creating a new Rosen bachelor's degree in entertainment management, a degree which they hailed as a unique program among public schools in the country. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Bar urges Scott to veto alimony legislation [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In a replay of 2013, Gov. Rick Scott must again decide the fate of a bill that would bring major changes for Florida's alimony and child-support laws.

› Court considers bid by congresswoman to throw out map [AP]
With this year's elections just months away, attorneys for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown tried on Friday to convince federal judges to throw out the current boundaries for Florida's congressional districts.

› How Brevard schools blew an $8 million software deal [Florida Today]
Little of school leaders’ rationale for committing $8 million to new business software in 2013 – in the midst of a school-closure crisis, and with a no-bid contract – has since proven true.

› Kissimmee targets corporate business [Orlando Sentinel]
To better target the corporate meeting market Experience Kissimmee has hired a new director of sales for meeting and convention sales.

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› Health care company to lay off employees in Hollywood [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A Louisiana-based health care company with an office in Hollywood plans to lay off up to 163 people in South Florida as it consolidates operations.

› Is change ahead for Florida in battle over standardized testing? [Lakeland Ledger]
The federal government, heeding calls for change from across the country, responded by passing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December. The new law changes or eliminates some of the controversial policies put in place by No Child Left Behind, giving states more control. With new wiggle room, will Florida see changes?

› Criticized for HIV spike, Florida takes hundreds of cases off the books [Tampa Bay Times]
State lawmakers blasted the state surgeon general in January for cutting staff and spending at a time when new HIV cases were spiking in Florida. A month later, the Florida Department of Health quietly revised its figures.