Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/5/2015

Productivity falls at faster pace, labor costs rise

U.S. worker productivity was even weaker than first thought from October through December while labor costs rose at a faster rate. Productivity declined at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, weaker than the 1.8 percent drop that was estimated a month ago. More at the AP.

Florida Senate debates Medicaid expansion

A potential budget crisis is fueling a new conversation about Medicaid expansion in Florida. The issue was a non-starter in 2014, largely because House Republicans oppose expanding Medicaid as envisioned under the Affordable Care Act. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida Originals
Big top for the BigTop

Feld Entertainment has more than tripled its business, adding the Monster Jam monster truck series, the Nuclear Cowboyz motorcycle show, Monster Energy Supercross and Amsoil Arenacross. Feld also has licenses to produce Marvel Universe Live and a slew of Disney shows, including Disney on Ice and Disney Live.

» Access full story

Tampa angles for a Cuban consulate

Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado might think putting a Cuban consulate in Miami would be a mistake, but Tampa officials are actively hoping Cuba will plant a consular office in the city on Tampa Bay. More at the Bradenton Herald.

Miami’s Brickell among most expensive office markets in Americas

A new study by Cushman & Wakefield found that Miami's Brickell financial district is among the 10 most expensive markets in the Americas to lease an office. Brickell ranked 10th with average rent of just over $50 per square foot. More at the South Florida Business Journal.

LaunchCode signs up 102 companies

LaunchCode, a tech-employment nonprofit, aims to attack the tech-talent gap by matching candidates with short-term apprenticeships at partnering companies -- 102 South Florida companies and counting. More at the Miami Herald.

Health
Questions some doctors are afraid to ask

Imagine that the next time you go in for a physical, you're told there's a new tool that can estimate your risk for many of the major health problems that affect Americans: heart disease, diabetes, depression, addiction, just to name a few. And all you have to do is answer 10 yes-or-no questions about your childhood. Read more from NPR and take the ACE quiz.