Mass layoffs fall in Florida

In July, Florida was among three states with the largest decreases in unemployment claims from mass layoffs, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in a report on Thursday. Claims from mass layoffs fell in July to 5,203 from 12,098 in the same month a year ago. Since July 2011, 30 states had decreases in average weekly initial unemployment claims, led by California, Minnesota and Florida. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Want job help? Dress the part

Starting Sept. 10, people seeking assistance at the three career centers operated by Brevard County’s main work force agency will be turned away if they fail to meet a dress code that forbids shorts, baggy jeans, flip-flops and other casual attire. More at the Florida Today.

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KSC welcomes job-bringing XCOR Aerospace to Brevard

CEO Sounding Board What trends are you seeing in hiring and what’s happening with employment costs? Mark Perlberg, CEO of Oasis Outsourcing tells us: It’s definitely a partial rebound from where we were. The reason I would characterize the improvement as somewhat modest is we’re also not seeing a robust level of hiring, big expansion, great confidence in the future." » More from Perlberg and other Florida CEOs.

Describing today's announcement as a "turning point" for Brevard's space industry, Brevard officials welcomed XCOR Aerospace. The 14-year-old company will bring about 150 direct jobs and dozens of support jobs, said XCOR representative Jim Muncy at an event held at Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex. More at Florida Today and see the backstory.

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State consumer advocate calls for regulators to reject FPL deal

The Office of Public Counsel says regulators should reject a deal struck between FPL and the state's big power users because it benefits only the parties involved, shifting costs to residents and other customers. The Public Counsel filed its formal objections to the settlement on Wednesday, the deadline for responses a deal announced a week ago by FPL and industrial, hospital and military power users. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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South Florida ranks No. 22 for financial sector pay

South Florida ranks No. 22 for financial sector pay, according to a new analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. Banks, brokerages and insurance companies in the tri-county area have an average pay per employee of $74,000, lagging behind metro areas that near the six-figure mark. More at the South Florida Business Journal.

Out of the Box Historic Home For Sale The Ocklawaha home that served as Arizona "Ma" Barker's hideout is on the market. Offers on the Florida property are being accepted through October 5, with a suggested minimum of $1 million. Furniture is included. Ma Barker was the mother of a crew of criminals wanted for bank robbery, kidnapping and murder. In 1935 Ms. Barker was killed in a shootout in the home, one of the longest gunbattles in FBI history. » Read more from the Wall Street Journal and the Ocala Star-Banner. » Click here or on the photo above to view a slideshow. » View the listing at Stirling Sotheby's International Realty. » See video below:

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