Trump, Clinton sweep Florida in primary rout; Rubio drops out

In an utter rout, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton dominated Florida’s presidential primary Tuesday, scoring their biggest electoral prizes so far in a pair of landslides — and, in Trump’s case, burying the ambitions of Miami favorite Marco Rubio.

In Miami, Rubio suspended his campaign not long after polls closed at 8:00 p.m. "While this may not have been the year for a hopeful and optimistic message about our future, I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America," Rubio, 44, told supporters in Miami after his projected loss to Trump. Full story on Rubio is here (includes photo gallery).

More election analysis and stories at the Miami Herald, McClatchy, the AP, the Tallahassee Democrat, and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Math and momentum point to Trump, Clinton nominations
» Florida winners Clinton, Trump opposites -- not just by party
» Donald Trump: Is he the quintessential Florida Man?

Gov. Rick Scott plans to veto $256 million in new state budget

Gov. Rick Scott made a pre-emptive strike against the Florida Legislature Tuesday by announcing that he will veto $256.1 million in line-item spending when the new state budget reaches his desk. More from the Times/Herald and the AP.

See also:
» Governor Rick Scott Announces the Florida First Budget
» 2016 Veto List

Tourism banking on a friends, family ad campaign plan

According to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing organization, a growing number of travelers are considering personal recommendations and local insight when planning their trips. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

See also:
» Tourism experts run new ad aimed at LGBT community

CDC issues new pain pill guidelines amid epidemic of overdose deaths

Federal regulators announced new guidelines for narcotics Tuesday, telling doctors to try to minimize opioid prescription drugs except in the most severe cases. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Survey finds CEOs less gloomy on economy, but only slightly

For the fourth consecutive quarter, U.S. chief executives had a glum outlook on prospects for the world's largest economy despite a slight uptick from the previous quarter, according to a survey released on Tuesday. [Source: Reuters]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What the latest rules on Cuba mean for South Florida [South Florida Business Journal]
U.S. officials have peeled back more restrictions to Cuba, giving Florida's huge Cuban-American population more options to visit the island country.

› Jacksonville-based Stein Mart names new CEO [Florida Times-Union]
The founder of Jacksonville-based Stein Mart Inc., Jay Stein, is stepping down as CEO of the fashion merchandise and apparel stores, though he will remain with the company as chairman of the board of directors.

› UF Research Foundation sues Philips Electronics over patent [Gainesville Sun]
The University of Florida Research Foundation has launched a patent infringement lawsuit against Dutch-based giant Philips Electronics over a treatment method and related device used in radiation therapy for cancer patients.

› Sarasota among most tax-friendly cities for small businesses [Business Observer]
Thumbtack, in the 2015 edition of its annual “Small Business Friendliness Survey”, ranked Sarasota the seventh most tax-friendly city in the country.

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› Orlando startup developing 3-D ruler for brain procedure [Orlando Sentinel]
Habeel Gazi's childhood friend, Dr. Tausif Rehman, wanted to build something that would make a specific type of emergency brain procedures more accurate.

› Venice equestrian venue quietly adding to area's economy [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Kim Farrell feels the impact of equestrian sports on Sarasota County each time a horse enters a Venice show ring. For every horse that competes at the 46-acre equestrian oasis in Venice, an average of 3.5 people come along with it, said Farrell.

› Miami fellowships for Cuban journalists announced by Knight Foundation [Miami Herald]
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in conjunction with the International Center for Journalists, unveiled a new $110,000 fellowship program on Tuesday morning designed to allow Cuban reporters and bloggers to work with their U.S. colleagues.

› One Spark settling on list of final 120 creator projects for this year's crowdfunding festival [Florida Times-Union]
One Spark officials are finalizing the final list of participants Tuesday in this year’s crowdfunding event set for downtown Jacksonville April 6 and 7.