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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
It's Panama or bust for US business owners
The Panama Canal expansion is a massive infrastructure project, with major implications for small businesses. As the fastest-growing U.S. business and consumer market in the South, Florida's ports will be seen as gateways to both Latin American and Chinese markets. More at CNBC.
Education
For-Profit College Loans
Saying students “deserve a college education free from rip-off scams,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan unveiled the outline for a massive student loan forgiveness plan for students — an undertaking that could ultimately cost taxpayers billions of dollars. More from the Miami Herald and the Wall Street Journal.
Federal orange juice marketing program under consideration
The triple whammy of higher imports, smaller crops and the continuing decline in orange juice sales led the state's citrus commission to consider creating a federal OJ marketing program that would tax imports at the same rates Florida growers pay. More at the AP.
Analysis: Companies 'adjust' profits more in their favor
As the stock market climbs ever higher, professional investors are warning that companies are presenting misleading versions of their results that ignore a wide variety of normal costs of running a business to make it seem like they're doing better than they really are. More at the AP.
BP oil spill claim deadline brings flurry of last-minute filers
Some late filers said they only recently heard of the settlement or of the impending Monday midnight deadline. Others weren't certain whether they would qualify for compensation for economic damages resulting from the spill. More at the AP.
Florida real estate still showing 'distress,' but improving
Despite the vastly recovering real estate market, Florida still has an overabundance of distressed sales -- so-called "real-estate owned" or short sales -- as a percentage of property transactions, according to data provider CoreLogic. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
See also:
» Florida, Michigan, Texas Lead in Home Foreclosures
Event
Summer of Encore Mentoring
The U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP are partnering to host “Summer of Encore Mentoring” educational events for older Americans who want to start or expand small businesses. These local events will take place during the months of June, July and August.
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