As expected, Florida home sales took a hit from Irma

Home sales across much of the Sunshine State took a big hit in September from Hurricane Irma. According to Florida Realtors, single family sales statewide were down 20.4 percent compared to September 2016. More from Florida Weekly.

Trump appoints top Florida legislator to ambassador post

President Donald Trump is tapping a top Florida legislator to join his administration. The White House on Thursday announced that Trump is nominating Rep. Carlos Trujillo to become ambassador to the Organization of the American States. More from the AP.

Another poll shows Nelson and Scott tied, with Scott gaining ground from earlier this year

Another poll shows Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott tied in a hypothetical 2018 matchup. And Scott has gained on Nelson since Mason-Dixon polled the race in February. Nelson and Scott each took 44 percent of the vote, with 12 percent of people undecided. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Tech giants in Orlando say they need to reach students sooner

Lockheed Martin could take advantage of young people’s interest in space, having partnered with NASA in an effort to reach Mars for years. But for that to happen, the company must be more proactive and reach them earlier to inform them about career options,. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Ybor City serves as an incubator for immigrants looking to make their mark

In the almost century and a half since it was founded by a Spaniard who emigrated to Cuba, Vicente Martinez Ybor, Ybor City is morphing into one of Tampa's entrepreneurial hubs, with a fresh wave of aspiring immigrants channeling the area's heritage. More from the Miami Herald.