The Cuban embargo emerges as a political issue

Even though a Florida governor has no authority to lift the Cuban embargo — that is an issue for the U.S. Congress — recent comments by Charlie Crist and Rick Scott have brought the issue to the gubernatorial campaign. The politicians’ remarks come at a time when attitudes toward Cuba are evolving as more liberal travel policies by both the United States and Cuba increasing put Cubans on the island and those in Florida in more frequent contact with each other. [Source: Miami Herald]

---

South Florida trade dips in 2013

The 2013 numbers are out, and South Florida's trade with the world fell in 2013 for the first time since the Great Recession hit in 2008. Two main reasons explain the decline: a drop in the price of gold, a top import and export; and smaller sales to Venezuela, a key market now struggling with dollar shortages, said Ken Roberts, president of media company WorldCity. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

---

"Hopefully," says Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis, "we can improve professional behavior and do it without having to have huge disciplinary punishments right off the bat."

Florida Trend Exclusive

Contempt of court: Florida's unruly lawyers

By the late 1980s, complaints about rude and unprofessional behavior among Florida lawyers had become so frequent that the Florida Bar created a task force to study the problem. After seven years of research, the committee issued a report that described the state of professionalism among lawyers as being in “steep decline.” More...

---

Film-induced tourism helps boost industry's economic impact

Looks like tourism has taken a behind-the-scenes role to help boost the economic impact of Florida's film and entertainment industry, according to a new report. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

---

State-supported unemployment agency is rebranded

Florida’s state-supported unemployment agency has a new name and logo that business and community leaders unveiled Monday at the North Miami Beach Career Center. CareerSource Florida has been rebranded from Workforce Florida. [Source: Miami Herald]

---

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Festival food vendors get their annual license fee slashed [Fort Myers News-Press]
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s division of hotels and restaurants announced a 55-percent fee reduction for obtaining an annual temporary event license for public food service establishments.

› Sarasota company finds way to give businesses path to mobile marketing [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Mobile e-commerce has become a hot field, crowded with players from giants like Facebook and Groupon to small companies like MobileBits, FourSquare, and mShopper.

› Nova, HCA teaching hospital project proposed again [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Nova Southeastern and HCA Florida aren't giving up on their plans to build a 100-bed teaching hospital on campus. HCA has filed an initial application with the Agency for Health Care Administration in Tallahassee, the first step in the process.

› Philanthropy Miami Shark Tank launched [Miami Herald]
“Leave a Legacy” of Miami-Dade has launched the “Philanthropy Miami Shark Tank,” a community competition that seeks to fulfill a community need through partnerships created between nonprofits, businesses and/or individuals.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida Poly Adds Microsoft to List of Supporters for New Campus [Campus Technology]
The newest university in Florida has added Microsoft to its list of "industry partners." When it opens in August, Florida Polytechnic University will focus on STEM topics through two colleges, a college of innovation and technology and a college of engineering.

› Why Drive When You Can Fly? [Fort Mill Times]
Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. d/b/a Florida Express Jet today announced that it will inaugurate a low-cost pattern of air service throughout the State of Florida. Initial service will be between Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee for as low as $69.00 and even includes free Wi-Fi.

› Private Flood Insurance Agency Now Selling in 15 States [Insurance Journal]
A Florida agency selling private flood insurance said it is now selling the coverage in 15 states and making it available to commercial risks and apartment buildings.

› Jupiter biotech company hires dozens, more growth planned [South Florida Business Journal]
Satish Chandran’s move from frigid Fargo, North Dakota down to Jupiter has resulted in dozens of biotech jobs and he may only be getting started.