Friday's Afternoon Update
Consumer sentiment unexpectedly rises August
U.S. consumer sentiment rose in August, while an index of current economic conditions hit its highest since July 2007, a survey released on Friday showed. More from Reuters and Bloomberg News.
Lakeland hosts debate over medical marijuana
The debate, organized by the Ledger of Lakeland pitted Orlando attorney John Morgan, who bankrolled the effort to get the measure on the ballot, against Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the spokesman for the Don't Let Florida Go to Pot coalition. More at the AP and the Lakeland Ledger.
Tampa Bay region leading Florida in retail construction
Some major retail developments under way in Tampa Bay have catapulted the region to the top spot in Florida, in terms of square footage under construction. More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Report calls Florida's minimum wage insufficient
Just in time for Labor Day, a new report finds that Florida’s minimum wage is less than half what workers need to cover basic expenses. The report finds that a single adult in Florida should make about $16.98 an hour to pay for necessities like rent and utilities. More at WGCU.
Let Your Employees Bring Their Interests to Work
Research repeatedly suggests that levels of employee engagement in the workplace are low and worsening. But what really perplexes executives when we talk to them is that their employees are often fully engaged in a host of other activities. More at HBR.