Florida's high school graduation rate hits record high

Statewide, the graduation rate increased 2.8 percentage points from 2015. The percentage of Florida teenagers earning diplomas four years after they started high school now stands more than 20 percentage points higher than it did a decade ago.

Full story from Florida's Department of Education, here. Also read more at the Space Coast Daily and the Orlando Sentinel.

See also:
» Treasure Coast districts boasts three of Florida's top 15 graduation rates
» South Florida high school graduation rates hit record
» High school graduation rates are up in Tampa Bay

Florida 'water wars' decision looms

Any day now, a U.S. Supreme Court special master is expected to issue a ruling Apalachicola Bay oystermen say will determine the fate of their industry. The "water wars" case is the most recent development in a decades-old dispute questioning who has the right to the water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin . [Source: Panama City News Herald]

State asks federal judge to reverse ruling in Seminole Tribe lawsuit

The state has asked a federal judge to reconsider his decision that Florida violated a $1 billion gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe. The request was the latest move in a long-running legal battle that involves blackjack and other games at tribal casinos and controversial "designated player" card games at pari-mutuel facilities across Florida. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

Florida electors cast their ballots for Trump

Florida's 29 electors — a who's who of Republican lawmakers and lobbyists — cast their ballots for their party's nominee, Donald J. Trump, Monday afternoon. They were among the 538 members of the Electoral College across the nation who cast their ballots participating in a constitutional duty that goes back more than 150 years. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Florida's theme parks trot out special events during holidays

Like a doting grandmother trying to fatten up her family at a holiday meal, Central Florida's theme parks and attractions say, "Here, have some more." But instead of setting out extra plates, they pile on more events to handle year-end crowds and bolster the bottom line. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando firm lands patent for custom messages for businesses [News Release]
An Orlando tech company has landed a patent for a system that sends personalized mass text messages to a customer list. (Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel.)

› Owner of Florida Panthers tapped by Donald Trump to be Secretary of the Army [Miami Herald]
Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be the new Secretary of the Army. The Senate would need to confirm the pick. The Florida Panthers issued a news release saying, in part, "Viola, Cifu families remain committed to the Panthers and south Florida region."

› FSU researchers win grants to propel research into business ideas [FSU News Release]
Four Florida State University researchers are receiving grants from the university to take promising research from the lab bench to the global marketplace.

› Nautical Ventures of Dania named Ranger Tugs dealer, forecasts $3 million in annual sales [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Nautical Ventures Group of Dania Beach has signed an agreement to become an exclusive dealer in eastern Florida and the Florida Keys for Seattle-based Ranger Tugs, the company has announced.

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› Top Cuba charter follows others out of market as Tampa commercial flight debuts [Tampa Bay Times]
There was much fanfare in September 2011 when the first nonstop flight to Cuba in nearly 50 years took off from Tampa International Airport. Now, these charter flights are fading with the start of commercial service to Cuba.

› Lennar's results top forecasts as deliveries and bookings rise [AP]
Lennar delivered more homes during the fourth quarter and booked a strong increase in new orders pushed the builder's profit and revenue beyond what most industry watchers had expected.

› Cherokee engineering and construction, based in Miami Lakes, is a force in environmental cleanup [Miami Herald]
Cherokee Enterprises Inc. (CEI) is an engineering and construction company that provides a wide range of highly technical services, including environmental remediation, design and construction of fueling systems for aviation and ground vehicles, storm water systems and other infrastructure construction projects.

› Osceola high-tech research center on target for late March debut [Orlando Sentinel]
The $71 million Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center near Kissimmee is set to open at the end of March, one of the most ambitious construction projects in recent Central Florida history.