In Florida and most battleground states, a brightening job picture

A funny thing happened on the way to the presidential election: Over the past year, unemployment has dropped in nine out of the 13 swing states. While the jobless rate is just one of many economic indicators that describe the health of the economy, the issue of unemployment and stagnant wages has been front and center. [Source: CBS News]

See also:
» Emotional Florida voters flock to the polls on first day of early voting
» Campaign 2016: Early voting has begun in Florida
» What Florida voters want
» In battleground Florida, tough stance on felons may sap votes for Democrats
» By the money: How Hillary Clinton is stomping Donald Trump in Florida
» Latino voters are showing up in 'unprecedented' numbers in Florida early voting

Move over, Amazon. Google Express launches in Florida

Google Express will launch today in Florida and nine other states as part of a nationwide expansion. Google Express allows users to order items from stores like Costco, Whole Foods Market, PetSmart, Kohl's and dozens of other brands with a phone app or laptop and have it delivered in two days. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Missing the boat: A boat show venue finds itself grounded

As the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show begins in November, a plan to beef up one of the show’s key venues, the Bahia Mar Resort Hotel & Yachting Center, has hit a roadblock. Access full story.

See also:
» Boat-buying climate robust for most of 2016, but election angst could slow sales

Top 3 invasive pests Florida growers need to be watching for

As a port of entry, the state of Florida has felt the negative effects of invasive weeds, insects, and diseases for many years. Here are two making headlines today and one that is being closely monitored on a regular basis. Full story with photo gallery, here.

NSF grant to increase computer science graduates in Florida

As part of a grant from the National Science Foundation, FIU and two other Florida universities will receive $1 million each in student scholarships to remove financial barriers to student success and increase the number of graduates in computer and information technology. Read the full news release.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Pinellas spending $1.5 million to lure European visitors [WFLA]
A big push is on to sell Pinellas County to the rest of the world. For people in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandanavia, Pinellas is a vacation hot-spot.

› South Florida not a top market for Halloween fun [South Florida Business Journal]
In WalletHub’s list of this year’s “Best Cities for Halloween,” Tampa ranked 15th overall nationally and was the top city in Florida for Halloween fun. Hialeah and Miami came in at 36th and 66th on the list, respectively.

› Florida gas prices dip as crude prices remain stable [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Gasoline prices in Florida held pretty much steady — dropping less than a penny — over the past week as hurricane-related demand vanished and global crude oil prices stabilized, travel club AAA reported.

› Once again, USF is among the top public universities in the nation for generating new inventions [Tampa Bay Times]
Once again, the University of South Florida ranks among the best schools in the nation when it comes to spreading research breakthroughs from the lab to the marketplace.

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› Port Canaveral makes parking free for disabled veterans [Florida Today]
Disabled veterans are now getting free parking at Port Canaveral cruise terminals, ending a controversy about why other Florida ports offered this, and Brevard’s seaport didn’t.

› Pensacola Beach businesses report strong fall tourism season [Pensacola News Journal]
Efforts to promote Pensacola Beach as a year-round destination appear to be paying off with beach businesses reporting a strong fall tourism season.

› As Miami’s vibrant fashion industry grows, a look at the pioneers who shaped it [Miami Herald]
The enthusiasm is electric inside the new Miami Fashion Institute at Miami Dade College’s downtown Wolfson Campus. The program was created as a direct response to the needs of Miami’s local fashion industry.

› UCF, HCA approved for surgery program [Orlando Sentinel]
UCF College of Medicine and Hospital Corporation of America's North Florida Division are beginning their first general surgery residency program, the eighth residency partnership for the two.