Wednesday's Daily Pulse
U.S. home construction surges to fastest pace since 2007
The Commerce Department said Tuesday that housing starts last month increased 20.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.14 million homes. That pace ranks as the fastest clip since November 2007. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.
Industry forecast: Summer travel will be all-time high
Summer travel will be at an all-time high this year, with nearly 222 million passengers projected to fly on U.S. airlines between June 1 and Aug. 31. About 2.4 million passengers will travel daily, up 4.5 percent from 2014, according to a travel forecast from Airlines for America, the industry's trade organization. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also:
» U.S. airlines expect record summer travel
Florida poised to be the nation's next high-tech hub
A Central Florida technology research center could help launch the state's high-tech manufacturing industry and ignite economic growth, says Florida TaxWatch, an independent fiscal watchdog group. Read the full report from Florida TaxWatch.
What the Supreme Court 401(k) ruling means for you
The U.S. Supreme Court broadened protections of workers' retirements with an important decision that increased the responsibilities of the overseers of corporate 401(k)s, particularly regarding fees charged by mutual fund companies. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Wall Street Journal.
What Latino voters care about more than immigration
Winning the White House in 2016 could very well hinge on which candidate connects the best with Latinos. Immigration remains a litmus test issue, but the top concerns of Latino voters are the economy and education, according to Pew Research Center. [Source: CNN Money]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Churches and businesses seek refunds from Duke Energy [Tampa Bay Times]
Duke Energy Florida acknowledges that some business customers — including churches — have been paying higher rates than necessary for years. However, the electric company has refused to refund the amount those customers over-paid.
› Gov. Rick Scott's hospital commission to meet for first time [AP]
The panel, which will meet for the first time Wednesday, is beginning its work as the governor has become increasingly antagonistic toward hospitals that receive taxpayer funds in the face of a $1 billion hole in his budget.
› Harvard computer programming course to be offered free in Miami [Miami Herald]
Harvard University is teaming up with job-placement nonprofit LaunchCode, The Idea Center at Miami Dade College and Career Source South Florida to offer its computer programming course to the public free of charge.
› Startup Avatar Airlines turns to crowdfunding [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Fledgling Avatar Airlines is taking to the Internet to pay for its wings. The startup based in Boca Raton still does not have federal approval to fly, but it has set up a crowdfunding site in an attempt to raise $5 million for initial costs.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› MLS commissioner to visit Miami to help David Beckham project move forward [Miami Herald]
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber told reporters in Los Angeles Monday that he plans to visit Miami sometime in the next week to try and expedite the David Beckham-led project to build a stadium and bring an MLS team here.
› UCF will not raise tuition for next school year [WKMG]
The University of Central Florida will not increase tuition and fees for students next year. The decision comes as funding for several projects is up in the air.
› Florida Bans Price Optimization; Insurers Question Definition [Insurance Journal]
A memorandum released last week by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty warning insurers in the state not to use price optimization in rating has gotten cheers from a consumer advocate group and jeers from an insurance industry trade association that says the definition of the practice used is too vague.
› Miami restaurant sales up slightly in April [South Florida Business Journal]
Restaurant sales in Miami were up 2.91 percent in April from last year. Across the U.S., restaurant sales were up 3.6 percent year-over-year, according to a study from Applied Predictive Technologies.