The pesky fly threatening Florida’s massive fruit industry

What's the biggest enemy to Miami-Dade County's $1.6 billion agriculture industry? A little fruit fly. Specifically, the Bactrocera dorsalis, or oriental fruit fly. The Oriental fruit fly is so dangerous because it affects over 400 different plants and fruits. More from the Washington Post, Newsweek, WFSU, and Inverse.

See also:
» Orange juice futures down on Florida weather forecast, citrus greening
» Florida to harvest smaller grapefruit, larger navels

South Florida's growing economy beats US average

For the third year in a row, South Florida's economy outpaced the U.S. average for metropolitan areas, according to data released Wednesday for 2014. Goods and services produced in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties grew 3 percent last year, compared with a 2.3 percent average increase in 381 U.S. metro areas. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Rising health deductibles take bigger bite out of family budgets

Health care costs continue to rise, and workers are shouldering more of the burden. The big reason? Skyrocketing deductibles. More companies are adding deductibles to the insurance plans they offer their employees. [Source: NPR]

Age discrimination tough to prove, but there are some signs

The recent recession was particularly hard on educated baby boomers, who comprised a large part of middle management in many organizations. As companies scrambled to cut costs they eliminated thousands of jobs, and these well-compensated managers were often the first to go. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

Craft beer a man's game? Not so fast, say female brewers

Women have always accounted for less than 20 percent of American beer consumption. But last year that number, according to Nielsen research, jumped to 25 percent. In the craft beer category, women now consume 32 percent. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» Sierra Nevada Brewing picks Funky Buddha to create a beer

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida judge will try to sort out state's political mess [AP]
A Florida judge this week is going to try to sort out the political mess left due to squabbling over the state's 27 congressional districts. Judge Terry Lewis on Thursday will hold a trial where he will consider seven different maps.

› Scripps awarded Gates Foundation grant for HIV vaccine development [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Scripps Florida scientists in Jupiter have been awarded nearly $6 million dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a revolutionary HIV/AIDS alternative vaccine that has demonstrated potential in animal testing.

› Port Canaveral agrees to cargo rail development [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral commissioners this morning unanimously agreed to work with a private organization that proposes developing a cargo rail line from the port through Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

› The Company of Animals moves U.S. headquarters to Florida quarry [Pet Product News]
When your business is located in New England and facing another challenging winter, the Sunshine State has a nice ring to it. So as of Aug. 31, The Company of Animals completed moving its entire U.S. inventory from Bridgeport, Conn., to its new corporate stomping ground in Davenport, Fla.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Miami City Ballet adds to achievements [Miami Today]
A great ballet company is judged by several achievements, including its number and quality of dancers, variety and quantity of the repertoire, national and global touring schedule and how often it commissions outside choreographers.

› Study: Florida has eighth lowest adult obesity rate [Orlando Sentinel]
According to "The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America," a project of the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Florida has the eighth lowest adult obesity rate in the nation at 26.2 percent.

› Local retailers brace for anti-fraud credit cards [Gainesville Sun]
Retailers in Alachua County and elsewhere are facing an Oct. 1 date — imposed by MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express — to switch to processors that read the new credit cards.

› Parting words: From NPR, a radio report on impact from the Oriental Fruit Fly
In Florida, federal and state officials have quarantined 85 square miles of farmland to combat a destructive pest: the Oriental fruit fly, which attacks hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables. Listen to the report: