Cybersecurity big problem for nearly half of Florida’s workforce

Small business employ approximately 43.2 percent of the state’s private-sector workforce, according to a recent report from the Florida SBDC Network. And with that mighty percentage of the workforce, small businesses are vulnerable to a big problem: cybersecurity. Full report from the Florida SBDC Network is here. Also see more at the South Florida Business Journal.

See also:
» Cybersecurity must increase with automation
» Thousands of cybersecurity professionals sought by Florida employers

Gas prices keep rising around the state; no end in sight to surge

The price of a gallon of gas in Florida has increased nearly 2.5 cents in the past week and nearly 18 cents over last year. The upward trend is expected to continue as the petroleum futures market reacts to oil production cutbacks announced by both Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC nations. More from the Palm Beach Post and WFLA.

Related:
» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood, here.

Florida orange crops holding steady

According to a USDA report on Florida orange production, the crops are holding steady. The forecast for the 2016-2017 period shows numbers at 72 million boxes but it does show a decrease in overall grapefruit production, which is down 3 percent from the previous year. Story from the Florida Department of Citrus is here. Also read more at Fruitnet.

Florida's overall medicaid costs rising, but individual costs down

When Florida lawmakers new and old arrive for the annual lawmaking session they’ll be faced with a $25 billion issue: Medicaid. The state’s health insurance program for low-income Floridians just keeps getting bigger, despite continued efforts to control costs. Full story from WFSU is here.

Florida is Zika-free, but don't get too comfortable, say health officials

Florida is the only state to have confirmed cases of locally transmitted Zika infection. But Texas officials, who recently reported a suspected case of local infection, said that they have identified four more cases of suspected locally transmitted Zika virus. [Source: CBS News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› iVox Solutions relocating to Port St. Lucie [News Release]
The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) and its partners announced today a business relocation to St. Lucie County that will fuel job growth during the course of the next 18 months.

› JAXPORT's new cranes are in business [News Release]
They’re in business. JAXPORT’s new cranes have started operations at the Blount Island Marine Terminal. The electric cranes can service wider vessels, allowing JAXPORT to broaden their cargo-handling capabilities.

› FSU set to bring its entrepreneurial presence to Tallahassee's downtown [Tallahassee Democrat]
Contractors are ready to move full-speed ahead in transforming a former downtown bank site into the Florida State University Jim Moran Building.

› After $700 million Florida deal, is Harris Corp. looking to sell its government radio business? [Florida Politics]
Harris Corp. is casting doubt on the future of its public-sector business in Florida after reports emerged of plans to sell one of its key satellite communications companies.

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› Fort Lauderdale's JetSmarter attracts $105 million in funding, plans rapid growth [Miami Herald]
JetSmarter’s growth plan is hitting cruising altitude, powered by a large round of new funding. On Monday, the private jet marketplace announced that it raised $105 million in its Series C equity financing round from existing and new strategic investors.

› Census data: St. Johns County recovered better than Florida overall from 2010 to 2015 [Florida Times-Union]
As Floridians trudged through the economic recovery in the first half of the decade, new data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows St. Johns County residents have emerged better than the state in general.

› Florida Tech Ranked Among Best in U.S. for Graduate Employability [FIT News Release]
Florida Institute of Technology is among the 32 best universities in the United States in producing graduates employers want to hire, a new survey found.

› Analysis shows racial disparity in Florida sentencings [AP]
An analysis of Florida's criminal justice system shows that black defendants spend longer time behind bars than white defendants for the same types of crimes.