Gauge of future health of U.S. economy jumps

An index designed to predict the future health of the economy posted a strong gain in April, a positive sign that the economy is beginning to accelerate from a sharp slowdown during the winter. More at the AP and Bloomberg.

See also:
» Consumers’ Expectations for U.S. Economy Drop Most Since 2013

Jacksonville had biggest population gain last year

Jacksonville had the biggest population gain of any Florida city last year and now is the nation's 12th most populous city. Of Florida's 200 largest cities, Doral in South Florida had the largest percentage increase last year. It grew by 7 percent to more than 54,000 residents. More at the AP and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

See also:
» These are the fastest growing cities in America — and they are not N.Y. or San Francisco

BP oil spill linked to Gulf dolphin die-off

Scientists looking into the longest-running dolphin die-off on record in the Gulf of Mexico say that oil from the BP drilling disaster likely played a “significant” role in killing many of them. The massive die-off in the Gulf stretches from the Florida panhandle to the border of Louisiana and Texas. More at the Miami Herald.

Legal considerations for social media contests and sweepstakes

While social media has certainly simplified the process, running a giveaway – online or offline – is not without risk. Indeed, in order to avoid running afoul of the law, it is important to understand the differences between the different types of giveaways, namely contests, sweepstakes, and lotteries. More at Business.com.

Next stop Earth: SpaceX cargo capsule departs space station

A SpaceX Dragon capsule has left the space station for return to Earth. The capsule, containing some 3,000 pounds of experiments and equipment, departed the International Space Station on Thursday morning. More at the AP.