Florida's Wasserman Schultz resigns as head of Democratic Party

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned on Sunday amid a furor over embarrassing leaked emails, hoping to head off a growing rebellion by Bernie Sanders supporters on the eve of the convention to nominate Hillary Clinton for the White House.

Wasserman Schultz, who represents Florida's 23rd District in the U.S. House, said the best way for the party to accomplish its goal of putting Clinton in the White House was for her to step aside after the convention. Sanders had demanded earlier in the day that Wasserman Schultz resign. See the full story from Reuters, here. Also read more at the Miami Herald.

» Related: Florida is 'epicenter of the political world this year'
» Quick poll: Did Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz do the right thing by resigning as head of the DNC?

Florida construction companies struggle to find enough skilled workers

Demand for residential construction workers in Florida is projected to jump 40 percent — or 66,000 employees — from 2014 through the end of this year, according to new estimates from the National Association of Home Builders. Only three other states expect a larger increase. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida Politics: Millions loaned to bankroll campaigns

Florida lawmakers get paid about $30,000 a year for their ostensibly part-time jobs. But many are willing to shell out more — far more — to get elected. Campaign-finance reports show that House and Senate candidates have stroked checks totaling millions of dollars to help bankroll their campaigns this year. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Take a look at how the biggest companies in Florida are driving the economy

The 350 biggest companies based in Florida include multibillion-dollar giants of revenue such as Lakeland's Publix Super Markets, Miami's World Fuel Services and Clearwater's Tech Data Corp. At the smaller end of the 350, firms abound with specialty niches like Clearwater auto lender Nicholas Financial and Tampa perforated metal product maker McNichols Co. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Related Florida Trend Content
» 350 Biggest Companies in Florida
» 2016 Best Companies to Work for in Florida

Why scientists are trying to rebuild oyster colonies, including in Florida

A series of small-scale restoration efforts are underway for a species that most Americans don't even realize needs saving: oysters. With wild oyster populations down an estimated 85 percent from their levels in the 1800s, a number of small-scale efforts to rebuild oyster colonies are underway. [Source: Christian Science Monitor]

See also:
» It's the summer of southern oysters
» A look at some oyster restoration programs around the U.S.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› South Florida businesses embrace Pokemon Go [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Not all businesses are excited by the prospect of Pokemon players on their premises, staring into their smartphones as they search out “Poke Stops,” “gyms” and 150 species of the virtual cartoon creature.
» See also: Pokemon a lure for businesses, particularly bars

› Feds break up $1 billion Medicare scam in Miami — biggest in U.S. history [Miami Herald]
One of the state’s wealthiest healthcare operators was arrested Friday at his Miami Beach waterfront estate on charges of orchestrating the nation’s biggest Medicare fraud scheme — $1 billion.

› Are payday lenders like Tampa-based Amscot a necessary part of the banking industry? [Tampa Bay Times]
Critics contend payday lenders, with their triple-digit annual interest rates, prey on the most vulnerable Americans who end up, as President Barack Obama said, "trapped in a cycle of debt."

Florida Trend Exclusive
› Talking tourism: The Keys enjoy a jump in visitors [Florida Trend]
Tourism accounts for 54% of all jobs and 60% of all spending in the Florida Keys. The industry is worth $2.7 billion to the Keys’ economy. Tourism taxes collected there rose 11.6% last year.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Doral DoubleTree by Hilton is latest EB-5 hotel project to break ground in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Another new South Florida hotel is nearing reality, thanks in part to a federal program that allows foreigners to invest here in exchange for permanent U.S. residency, under select conditions.

› George Takei, Buzz Aldrin share space tales at KSC [Florida Today]
Live long, prosper and go to Mars. That was the message Saturday night at the Apollo 11 anniversary gala hosted by iconic "Star Trek" actor George Takei and legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

› Menus go touch-screen, mobile at Central Florida restaurants [Orlando Sentinel]
These days, many Central Florida restaurant customers are being greeted by the warm glow of a screen instead of "How can we help you?" Eateries throughout the region are adding touch screen kiosks, mobile ordering apps and even tablets at tables.

› Florida's jobs agency gives checks to departing employees [St. Augustine Record]
Amid a major shakeup pushed by Gov. Rick Scott, the agency responsible for luring jobs to the state is paying nearly a half-million dollars to departing employees. Florida taxpayers are picking up the majority of the cost for severance payments and payouts for unused leave.