Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/4/2015

Small business jobs growth slow and steady in July

The small business sector continued to see slow but steady jobs growth in July, which seems to mirror the second-quarter gross domestic product data released by the government last week. More at CNBC and Marketwatch.

Comcast investing billions in Orlando theme parks

Comcast is pouring billions into Universal Orlando and a sister property in California, opening major attractions and resort hotels at breakneck speed — and visitors are flooding the gates as a result. More from the New York Times.

AutoNation reports best July for new-vehicle sales since 2006

AutoNation on Tuesday reported its best July sales for new vehicles since 2006. The country's largest vehicle retailer said it sold 29,875 new cars and trucks in July, up 9 percent from a year earlier. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Coral Gables grows its plant-based food options beyond juice

Breakfast — your most important meal of the day. But eggs and bacon? Wake up and smell the cold brew — Coral Gables, aka steakhouse central, is now a morning mecca for clean, green, meatless and hipster. More at the Miami Herald.

Office Depot store closures contribute to sales decline

The Boca Raton-based company sales declined in the second quarter of 2015 due to planned store closures and foreign currency translation. The company, which is planning to merge with Staples, said its sales slipped 10 percent year-over-year to $3.44 billion. More at the South Florida Business Journal.

International Business
Silver Lining

Economic weakness in some parts of South America and Europe drove a 4% decline in Florida exports to foreign countries last year. Asia and the Middle East, however, were bright spots, with $11 billion worth of Florida-origin exports shipped to those regions, an 8% increase.

» Access full story.

Out of the Box
Vinyl Records at Guantánamo

Havana may have its classic American automobiles but, step into a back room of this base radio station, and the U.S. sailors who broadcast here behind a Cuban minefield have a vintage collection trapped in a time warp of its own.