Florida existing home sales flatten in September

Closed sales of single-family homes statewide in Florida totaled 22,704 last month, down 0.5% from September 2015, the Florida Realtors reported Thursday. Townhouse-condo closed sales totaled 8,818 last month, down 3.9% from a year earlier. More from the Builder and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

See also:
» Tampa Bay leads the state in home sales as prices jump 13.6 percent
» Home prices dip slightly in Manatee, Sarasota
» Central Florida sales, median sales price up in September
» South Florida home sales continue to swoon in September

Column: Florida plays large role in fixing broken immigration system

In this tense period in both national and international relations, we’re confronted with a number of important security issues, all in need of their own respective solutions. One of the issues that seem to be most prevalent is the need for immigration reform. [Source: Florida Politics]

Judge rejects Florida Democrats push for new voting rules

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request from the Florida Democratic Party to allow unverified voters to cast ballots, saying state and county officials are already doing enough to meet the demands of an extended registration deadline. More from the Naples Daily News and WKMG.

Testing commercial olive trees in north Florida -- the early results

There is substantial interest in growing olives in northern Florida and southern Georgia. Thus far, olives have been relatively pest free and appear to be a sustainable crop for this region. [Source: Southeast Farm Press]

Florida's national hiking trail is at crossroads

Carving out the Florida National Scenic Trail began in 1966, and now the hiking path from the Everglades to the western Panhandle visits springs, manatees, wetlands, alligators, white beach, turquoise ocean and bird life not seen in more famous wilderness walks. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› App-based car rental service expanding in South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Renting a car can be tedious, but an app-based service that recently entered the South Florida market is trying to simplify the process.

› Pop-up shops giving Central Florida stores big sales on their timelines [Orlando Sentinel]
Pop-up shops are becoming more popular as markets and malls try to fill space left by businesses turning to e-commerce and entrepreneurs seek alternatives to a long-term lease and maintaining a storefront.

› Manatee firm to open office in Dubai [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Hartwell Capitol Consulting LLC, a business and technology development consulting firm based in Manatee County, plans to open an office next month in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

› New app helps Florida avocado growers save money, water [The Packer]
An app developed by the University of Florida helps save avocado growers money and water. The university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ mobile irrigation app works to improve efficiencies and assure consistent crop yields.

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› South Florida company inks 13th acquisition of 2016 [South Florida Business Journal]
Mednax Inc. continued on its rapid pace of acquisitions this week. The Sunrise-based company on Thursday announced its 13th acquisition of 2016 with the buyout of Central New York Anesthesia Group.

› Port Canaveral commissioners reject request to hold seafood fest [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral commissioners have rejected a request by event promoter Brevard Productions Inc. to hold a three-day seafood festival next February in the port's Cove area.

› Mimes will return to SeaWorld for Christmas [Orlando Sentinel]
SeaWorld Orlando will bring back its popular mime act for a seasonal Christmas stint. Three mimes will perform in the "Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas" show.

› IKEA to break ground for fifth Florida store in Jacksonville [Action News Jax]
IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, will break ground on Nov. 3, 2016, on its future Jacksonville store. The 290,000 square-foot store opens Fall 2017 on 25-acres along the northwestern corner of Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway, and will employ 250 coworkers.