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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Holiday-shopping season kicks off with hints of hope
Retailers in Florida and across the nation are pinning their fortunes on strong sales this holiday season, trying to reverse several years of tepid growth since the depths of the Great Recession in 2008. This year, there are reasons to be optimistic. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Lawmakers meeting to set agenda
With a decisive Republican majority and a newly re-elected governor, Florida lawmakers meet Tuesday to elect new leaders, install newly elected members and set a conservative agenda that will guide the Legislature over the next two years. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Digital coupons rise in popularity
Couponing has evolved from the days of simply snipping away at the Sunday newspaper. Now mobile apps, digital coupons and text message discounts are providing shoppers a fistful of money-saving tools they can access from their mobile devices. [Source: Miami Herald]
 Todd "MJ" Schnitt leaving the courtroom. |
Florida Bar investigates Tampa lawyers
The Florida Bar is investigating three Tampa lawyers for allegedly setting up an opposing attorney for a DUI arrest in a case involving shock jocks Todd “MJ” Schnitt and Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem. Access full story.
Workers' comp cost is set to dip
For the first time in four years, employers will be paying less for workers' compensation insurance in Florida. That's because the state insurance commissioner, Kevin McCarty, has approved an overall 5.2 percent decrease in workers' comp insurance rates, effective Jan. 1. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Mike Pappas talks South Florida real estate
Mike Pappas has been steeped in South Florida real estate his entire life. The Miami native, joined by his brother, Tim Pappas, took over Keyes Co. from their father, Ted Pappas, in 1992. Amid a wave of consolidation, Keyes is one of the few big real estate brokerages in South Florida that continues operating independently.
› Nonprofit law firm takes on state education system in quest for quality
A lawsuit that aims to shake the foundations of the state education system is originating from Gainesville. Local nonprofit law firm Southern Legal Counsel is suing the Florida State Board of Education and a list of related officials in a class-action lawsuit.
› Is Tampa apartment and condo tower boom the start of a bubble?
Not to pooh-pooh the growing celebration of more and more apartment and condo towers proposed or already under construction in downtown Tampa. But — please — let's not become so euphoric that we end up in a real estate bubble in the core of this emerging city.
› Brevard's businesses have unique gift ideas
Wherever the mythical North Pole is, chances are Brevard County is about as far away as you're going to get. But there are still hundreds of elves building things here that no doubt will make nice — and unusual — gifts this holiday.
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