Thursday's Afternoon Update
Florida metro areas lead nation in employment increases
Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 271 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 90 areas, and unchanged in 26 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment among the metropolitan divisions occurred in Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, Florida. Full report here.
South Florida’s biggest hotel trades of 2016
From South Beach to Fort Lauderdale, hotel properties were hot tickets in South Florida’s commercial real estate market this year, often fetching top dollar from investors looking to grow their foothold in the region. More from the Real Deal.
Legislation to be introduced to make Florida ready for self-driving cars
Earlier this year, Florida became the first state to allow autonomous vehicles to be used with or without a driver, no permit required. However, the law states there must be an operator in complete control. More from WEAR.
Florida virtual school accepting enrollment until January
Millennials are now the largest living generation in the country, and Florida Virtual School Full Time (FLVS Full Time) is finding that the state’s youngest parents are increasingly interested in alternative approaches to Kindergarten-12 education, especially online public education. More from Gulf Breeze News.
Commentary: Florida tourism works without state dollars
Proponents of Visit Florida argue that government-sponsored marketing is necessary to support the tourism industry. Critics of Visit Florida ask whether the money could be better spent on other state priorities, such as education or public safety. More from the Naples Daily News.
Out of the Box
Pythons in Biscayne Bay
Last month, a kayaker spied a 9-foot Burmese python wrapped around part of a platform more than a half mile offshore in Biscayne National Park usually inhabited by sunning cormorants. The sighting was a first for the park and another worrisome sign that the state’s out-of-control pythons are getting more adept at inhabiting the state’s salty fringes
» More from the Miami Herald and the AP.
Business Profile
Yes.Fit
Kevin Transue and Scott Parker founded Yes.Fit four years ago and now have 78,000 people participating in virtual runs through historical sites, fantasy literary landscapes or just plain beautiful scenery. All it takes is a wearable fitness device or app and a computer screen — and a little imagination — to transpose participants from a Tampa Bay area sidewalk to Maui's gorgeous Hana Highway.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times