Profits flat at Florida financial institutions

Profits were flat at Florida's financial institutions in the third quarter. The state's 150 banks and thrifts earned a combined $378 million in the July-September period, the same earnings as last year, according to data released Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune] The national news release from the FDIC is here.

State appeal sends worker comp rates soaring

Just when they thought they had dodged a bullet, it looks like Florida businesses will be hit with a major increase in workers compensation rates after all. Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier is appealing a circuit court ruling that blocked the increase. Read the notice of appeal from Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, here. More from WFSU, here.

Higher ed leaders look to boost degrees, certificates

Currently, less than 47 percent of the state's working-age population has four- or two-year college degrees or professional or technical certificates. The state's Higher Education Coordinating Council hopes to change that. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

Georgia-Florida water war trial could end this week

The never-ending legal battle between Georgia and Florida over the waters of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers is likely to reach a critical juncture this week after a month of testimony in the latest “water wars” trial. [Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

U.S. home prices surpass bubble-era peak, and Florida housing isn't far behind

South Florida home prices continued their steady rise in September, while nationally home prices soared past a record high set in July 2006, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index, an important housing market indicator. More from the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Real Deal.

See also:
» Jacksonville home prices on pace for 6 percent increase
» Statewide home sales fall, while Polk market surges
» South Florida home prices still have room to grow, index shows

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FPL's multi-year rate-increase request approved [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Power & Light customers will see their bills increase each year through 2019 following the state Public Service Commission's approval Tuesday of a negotiated rate-hike settlement. Also see more information from FPL, here.

› Sanford Burnham says it will not repay incentives [Orlando Sentinel]
Sanford Burnham officials recently reiterated their earlier position that they will not refund $77 million of incentives they received a decade ago when they agreed to try to create 303 jobs.

› Space contractor lands OneWeb deal, opens in Titusville [Florida Today]
The U.S. subsidiary of a Swiss aerospace company is opening a spacecraft parts manufacturing plant in Titusville. It hopes to employ as many as 70 people there within five years.

› Manatee considers six-month moratorium on marijuana dispensaries [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Like many other local jurisdictions, Manatee County intends to make any potential medical marijuana businesses within its borders to wait several months before setting up shop.

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› Study shows USF has $400M impact through innovation efforts [83 Degrees Media]
A Washington Economics Group study shows USF’s innovation and economic development efforts have a statewide economic impact of more than $400 million annually.

› Florida craft brewery's first expansion will be in Cincinnati [Cincinnati Business Journal]
A Florida craft brewery is expanding distribution to Ohio, meaning Cincinnati will be one of the few markets where consumers can get its beer outside of the Sunshine State.

› MSC Seaside sets construction milestone, will call PortMiami home in 2017 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Swiss-based MSC Cruises has celebrated the float-out of the first vessel in its new Seaside-class of ship — the MSC Seaside, which will call PortMiami home in December 2017.

› Cuban reforms would be necessary to boost economic activity with S. Florida, experts say [Orlando Sentinel]
With Cuba already generating new flights and cruises, South Florida's business community might be looking to other business prospects following the death of Fidel Castro last week.