WASHINGTON, DC-In what could likely be another blow to the region's economy, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has proposed further military base closures and budget cuts as part of the Pentagon's 2015 budget.

ALBANY-A change by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to require Project Labor Agreements with unionized construction trades on major design-build projects over $10 million has sparked some criticism from some circles and could jeopardize the renewal of the design-build law which is to expire at the end of this year.

NEW YORK CITY-Three landlord organizations and two building owners filed suit on Monday in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn to block Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tenant protection initiative.

MIRAMAR, FL-Broward College and Florida International University staged a groundbreaking on Tuesday for its new 89,000-square-foot joint use facility.

TALLAHASSEE, FL-The Florida Senate has drafted bills that would bring a total of two casino resorts to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The bill would reduce dog racing in the state and also impose new gaming regulations.

CHICAGO-Entities led by locally-based Cedar Street Cos. have acquired two office buildings nearby the future home of Goggle Inc. in Fulton Market.

PHILADELPHIA- MRP Residential, a division of MRP Realty of Washington D.C., and Principal Real Estate Investors have partnered to acquire the residential portion of the Avenue of the Arts building here for $33 million.

SHIRLINGTON, VA-Easterly Partners of Washington, DC has acquired the Randolph Square office building here anchored by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for $56.3 million.