U.S.-Cuba talks rile island’s real-estate market

As the U.S. and Cuba continue their slow-dance toward rapprochement, it has fueled American fantasies of seaside Caribbean homes on the cheap, and Cuban dreams of deep-pocketed buyers rushing across the Florida Straits. [Source: Miami Herald]

See also:
» Despite White House opening, exports to Cuba continue to drop

Florida Trend Exclusive
Broken breaks: Tax breaks that are difficult to change

Years ago, the Florida Legislature created tax breaks to spur growth in aviation, banking and insurance. Critics say time has rendered those breaks unfair or unequal. But once enacted, they're difficult to change or eliminate. Access full story.

Floridians should brag like Texans

Jesse Panuccio, the executive director of the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, wishes Floridians were more like Texans. In the recovery from the Great Recession, Florida’s economy, job growth and population has exceeded other states, but people don’t know about it. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]

Social Security benefits likely won't increase next year

For just the third time in 40 years, millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees can expect no increase in benefits next year, unwelcome news for more than one-fifth of the nation's population. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Habits that will totally transform your productivity

People who manage to get a lot accomplished each day aren't super human, they've just mastered a few simple habits. Some may be easy to guess: Keep your desk organized and aim for around eight hours of sleep a night. But others, like taking a mid-day nap or complaining, might surprise you. [Source: Fast Company]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Study: body cameras help police do their jobs better [Tampa Bay Times]
Police officers may be better at their jobs when the public is watching. That's what University of South Florida researchers recently concluded after spending a year studying Orlando Police Department officers who wore body cameras — and recorded their interactions with the public — versus officers who did not.
» See also: Police body cameras reduce use of force, study finds

› UF researchers learn how to keep pathogens, pests from traveling with grain [UF]
University of Florida researchers say new research can help grain handlers and grain inspectors find key locations for pathogens and pests along rail routes in the United States and Australia.

› Staples-Office Depot to receive FTC decision on merger by Dec. 8 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The office-supply retailers said Monday they have agreed with the Federal Trade Commission to extend the review period for the $6.3 billion Office Depot acquisition.

› Orlando-based financial organization names new CEO [Orlando Sentinel]
A national organization for financial professionals based in Orlando, the Institute of Financial Operations, is planning to grow its membership under a new CEO.

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› Cambridge Innovation Center makes big bet on Miami tech [Miami Herald]
A vision of Miami as a technology hub is coming into focus. The Cambridge Innovation Center is the latest high-profile startup-centric organization to bet big on Miami’s future.

› New Gainesville Area Chamber CEO plans to hone organization's mission [Gainesville Sun]
After rising through the chamber of commerce ranks for 14 years, Susan Davenport said she knew her next move would probably be to the top. She just didn't know whether that would be in Gainesville.

› Nurse a business leader as demand for community health care evolves [Palm Beach Post]
Eugenia Millender always wanted to be a nurse when she was growing up. Now she’s fulling that dream as an assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

› Entrepreneurship fund aims to help small businesses [Pensacola News Journal]
The seed for starting the Greater Pensacola Entrepreneur Fund was planted about nine years ago during a trip to Asheville, N.C., by local businessman and philanthropist Quint Studer.