Foreclosures fall to lowest level in 8 years

Foreclosure activity in the United States dropped last month to the lowest level since July 2006, before the housing bubble burst, and likely will continue to drop through the first half of next year. More from Reuters and 24/7 Wall Street.

See also:
» Foreclosures fall in Sunshine State -- except in Central Florida

Column: How much is your time worth? Consider outsourcing some tasks

As a proliferation of outsourcing sites spread, today’s business owners have more options for hiring out tasks that detract from generating income and having a balanced life. For some small firms, outsourcing has had a compelling impact on their growth, productivity and bottom lines. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida to sue Texas oil company

Florida's environmental agency says it is suing a Texas oil company for violating state drilling regulations at a well near the Everglades. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said it would file a lawsuit against Dan A. Hughes Co. for using a fracking-like oil recovery practice at its Collier-Hogan well. [Source: AP]

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Funding for private railway service called into question

The Florida Department of Transportation is denying claims that public funds are being used to support a private commuter rail development business. All Aboard Florida is planning a base in Miami. But the state wants to use the All Aboard terminal for a separately-run commuter rail project. [Source: WFSU]

Related:
» All Aboard Florida tries to fight big misconceptions

Veterans hopeful in much-improved job market

Veterans are entering a much-improved job market, especially in Broward County, where unemployment is 5.2 percent, below the statewide average. Recently returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are particularly attractive to employers. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Chikungunya on the rise among South Florida travelers [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Load up on the bug spray, South Florida. A mosquito-borne virus with a funny name has infected 81 Floridians in the past two months, most of them in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

› Hostile hedge fund Starboard boosts stake in Darden [Orlando Sentinel]
Starboard’s ownership surge – now 7.1 percent, up from 6.2 in May – comes as the hedge fund has been blasting the current company leadership for allegedly devaluing the company.

› UM’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute named best in the country [Miami Herald]
The University of Miami medical school’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is the best eye hospital in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings released Tuesday. The eye institute has topped the list for 11 straight years for its reputation among ophthalmologists.

› Ocala bans sagging pants on city-owned property [AP]
It's now illegal to wear low pants that expose underwear or bare buttocks in parts of Ocala. The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an ordinance that prohibit anyone on city property from wearing pants two inches below their natural waist.

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› GrowBLOX Sciences enters the Florida medical marijuana market [Orlando Business Journal]
Medical marijuana research and development company GrowBLOX Sciences Inc. has entered the Florida medical marijuana market through a new subsidiary called GB Sciences Florida LLC.

› Big businesses show economic growth in Cape Coral [WINK News]
Some of your favorite places to shop and eat are under construction in Cape Coral and big name brands mean big business for the city.

› Florida Tech's business school on the move [Florida Today]
Thanks to gift from a key supporter of the Florida Institute of Technology, the Nathan Bisk College of Business is getting new facilities.

› Budget constraints could restrict St. Petersburg Pier amenities [Tampa Bay Times]
A city estimate puts the cost of renovating the 1973 inverted pyramid and replacing the area around it and the approach at $46 million. That's without key amenities residents have said they want, including fishing.