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Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/26/2014

New inspection program for Florida restaurants starts July 1

A new risk-based inspection program for starts July 1 for all Florida restaurants and food trucks. The cleaner the eating establishment, the less it'll be inspected. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Hotel and Restaurants will be categorizing restaurants into one of four risk levels. Each level correlates with the number of required annual inspections. More from WTXL. and read the new regulations from the FDBPR, here.

Looking Forward to the 4th

Pensacola Beach counting on big turnout for Red, White and Blues week

The countdown to the biggest event of the year on Pensacola Beach has started with the release of the 2014 Red, White & Blues week schedule that begins with fireworks July 4 and caps off with the much anticipated Blue Angels air show on July 12. Last year, the Blues were grounded, so this year could be one of the biggest revenue generators for tourist-sensitive businesses. » More at the Pensacola News-Journal

Butterworth to receive Florida Bar Foundation's highest award

Bob Butterworth, Florida's longest-serving attorney general, will receive the prestigious Medal of Honor Award from the Florida Bar Foundation Thursday in conjunction with the Florida Bar's annual convention in Orlando. A Democrat from Hollywood, Butterworth served four terms as attorney general from 1987 to 2002. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Trader Joe’s to open more Florida stores

According to the grocer’s website, new stores are coming to Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton and Pembroke Pines. The company will also open stores in Winter Park, Jacksonville Beach, and St. Petersburg. Earlier this year the company opened a location in Pinecrest. More from the CBS Miami.

Comcast adds 220 new jobs in Fort Myers

Gov. Rick Scott announced in Fort Myers that cable company Comcast will hire 200 new customer service agents and 20 leadership positions by the end of 2014. Comcast also recently announced it will be hiring for 300 open positions throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. More from the Fort Myers News-Press.

All Children’s Hospital and USF land transfer paves way for new research facility

The University of South Florida transferred 1.4 acres of land to All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine as part of a commitment to continuing training USF medical students. The property will be used to develop a research, education and training facility to support innovations in pediatric care and expand the future collaborative efforts of the two organizations. More from USF News.

Public Safety
'Operation Dry Water' hopes to prevent BUI

Law enforcement agencies around Florida and the U.S. are participating in “Operation Dry Water” this weekend. This nationwide, public education effort is designed to prevent alcohol-related accidents and fatalities. FWC officers, along with local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard, will be on the lookout for boating under the influence (BUI) violations. Last year, nine people died from boating accidents related to alcohol and drug use in Florida. That represents 15 percent of the state’s boating fatalities for 2013. » More at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation's website.

Tags: Daily Pulse