Florida among top states with fastest job growth

The Sunshine State is ripe with opportunity when it comes to the job market, according to Kiplinger magazine. The state’s job market this year is forecasted to grow 3.2 percent and next year the state is expected to see job growth of 3.4 percent, according to the report. More from the Orlando Business Journal and Kiplinger.

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» Construction jobs are up 7.2 percent; even government jobs are up 1.1 percent

9-to-5 workday is outdated, workers say

Many professionals have retired the idea of only working 9 to 5. In a CareerBuilder survey released Thursday, 63 percent of the 1,078 polled full-time workers — in the info tech, financial services, sales, professional and business services industries — said they believe the eight-hour day is outdated. [Source: Miami Herald]

Clinton is beating Bush and Rubio in the Florida money race

Florida's presidential primary is nine months away, but the state's influential donors are already speaking with their wallets. So far the news is better for Jeb Bush than for Marco Rubio in the Republican money race between home-state heavyweights — but it's even better for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton. [Source: AP]

New medical marijuana amendment moves forward

The second push to legalize medical marijuana in Florida is moving full steam ahead, with more than 100,000 signed petitions presented to the state on Wednesday. "This is a massive head start over the previous campaign, which started late," said Ben Pollara, campaign manager of United for Care, the organization behind the medical marijuana amendment. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Workplace distractions a thief of time

No matter what you do for a living, chances are you battle workplace distractions, a phenomenon that has intensified even as our workloads have increased. A University of California study found workers spend about three minutes on a task before getting distracted and then face the rough task of trying to restart where they left off. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Home Depot paying $1.63 billion for Interline [AP]
The Home Depot Inc. is buying Interline Brands Inc., which distributes maintenance and repair products, for just under $1.63 billion in cash. The deal is expected to close by November and to add to Home Depot's earnings in the current financial year.

› Broward bank becomes first to sign agreement with Cuban bank [Miami Herald]
In the first major business deal since the United States and Cuba resumed diplomatic relations, Pompano Beach-based Stonegate Banks said Wednesday that it is setting up a correspondent banking relationship with a Cuban financial institution.

› Health plans serving Florida's poor seek higher rates [Tampa Bay Times]
The private health plans that cover Florida's poorest residents are seeking more money from the state. The plans say they need a 12 percent rate increase to offset the rising cost of prescription drugs and an uptick in doctor's visits.

› Office Depot's Cuban property would pass to Staples, if merger proceeds [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Among the assets at stake in the Staples-Office Depot merger is a little-known corporate entity that essentially ceased to exist after the 1960 Cuban revolution.

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› Modernizing Medicine to acquire Weston electronic medical records firm [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Two South Florida tech companies are combining to extend their reach in electronic medical record and data services to specialty physicians.

› Pieology, Wok Box to enter Florida market with plans for more stores [South Florida Business Journal]
They join the lineup of fast-casual eateries entering the market for the first time and announcing plans for multi-unit expansions, including The Habit Burger Grill, McAlister's Deli, and Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes.

› Hot Central Florida market attracting ‘heavyweight developers’ [OPP Today]
Central Florida has seen a surge in new project in the past 18 months from ‘heavyweight’ developers, with agents reporting strong interest in new-build properties from international investors, says an experienced property journalist.

› AutoNation reports 19th straight quarter of double-digit gains in profits [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
With lower gas prices spurring vehicle sales and a push to boost its service business, AutoNation on Wednesday reported yet another record for profits in the second quarter.