Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/21/2015

Florida jobless rate fell in July

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in July 2015, down by two-tenths of a point from June, and down six-tenths of a percent from a year ago, according to new data released Friday morning. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

Melbourne could get soccer team with Orlando City ties

Melbourne is a finalist to become the home of a new professional United Soccer League team that will begin playing in 2016. The United Soccer League team would be affiliated with the Orlando City Soccer Club, which is in its first season in the 20-team Major Soccer League. More at Florida Today.

Medicare fraud is committed well beyond U.S. borders

The U.S. government paid out $25 million from 2011 to 2014 for medical care received by more than 1,000 foreign residents who signed up using post office boxes, mail-forwarding services, or the addresses of friends or relatives in Florida to conceal that they lived overseas. More at Bloomberg News.

Fast fixes to jumpstart your social media strategy

Social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to businesses today. There's just one problem: If you don't know how to make the most of these online resources, you could be wasting your time and effort. More at Business News Daily.

Heico buys majority stake in maker of F-16 parts

Heico Corporation, a niche technology firm with operations in Miami, said this week that it acquired the majority of a Texas company that manufactures parts for F-16 aircraft. More at the Miami Herald.

Historical Trends
A Look at South Florida's Ports

The earliest cruise ships that sailed into South Florida were relatively small, operated on steam power, usually didn't have hot water and didn't go much farther than New York or the Caribbean. On the other hand, some had smoking rooms and promenade decks and served a good dinner.

» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Out of the Box
Gun range to have restaurant that serves booze

Daytona Beach city commissioners have given approval to an indoor shooting range that will include a restaurant that sells alcoholic beverages. Concerned about the mixture of booze and bullets on the same property, commissioners raised safety concerns before voting.