Florida breaks another tourism record

In the first quarter of 2016, Florida hosted a record 29.8 million tourists, continuing a run of record-shattering tourism numbers for the state. The previous tourism record for the first quarter was set in 2015, when the state had 28.5 million visitors. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Florida Times-Union, the Bradenton Herald, and News4Jax.

Senate likely to advance $1.1 billion in Zika funding

After a three-month delay, the Senate is acting on President Barack Obama's request for money to combat the Zika virus. Zika is expected to spread more widely during the summer mosquito season, but officials say outbreaks in the U.S. are likely to be limited. [Source: AP]

Sunshine State can't shake the No. 1 foreclosure spot

Mortgage lenders closed on 69,162 foreclosures in the state in the 12-month period ended in March, according to data provider CoreLogic. The good news: That was down by 41,235 foreclosures, or 37 percent, when compared with 2015. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Amazon is doubling down on groceries — and that should scare Publix

Amazon.com is reportedly ramping up its food offerings with private-label products — a move that further signals the e-commerce giant has traditional grocers like Publix Super Markets Inc. in its crosshairs. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Florida SBDC Network urges businesses to be hurricane ready

The Florida SBDC Network, the state's principal provider of business assistance, urges business owners across the state to prepare for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and extends through November 30. [Source: Florida Trend]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tax collector wins tourism honor for boosting hotel tax collection [Florida Today]
Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen's crackdown on tourism tax scofflaws has won her the Brevard County Tourist Development Council's annual award for excellence.

› Medical marijuana opponents launch new round against initiative [CBS Miami]
Opponents of a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana gave a glimpse of their strategy Monday by releasing a video alleging the measure would lead to a plethora of “pot shops” similar to the marijuana industry in California.

› Newspaper touts Jacksonville's role as financial center [Florida Times-Union]
New York and London are getting serious competition when it comes to banking and finances, and some of that is coming from Jacksonville. That’s the conclusion of a story that came out Sunday in the Financial Times.

› UCF, Full Sail tackle growing data analytics field [Orlando Sentinel]
As the use of powerful electronic sensors grows, in consumer goods as varied as tennis rackets and cars, data analysis becomes more valuable.

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› Central Florida banks keep teaming up [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida banks continue to consolidate and join forces, most recently with Plant City-based Sunshine Bancorp, parent of Sunshine Bank, announcing the acquisition of Brevard County-based Florida Bank of Commerce.

› Gas prices stalled at six-month highs [Gainesville Sun]
Gas prices remain at their highest levels since October, but there hasn't been a lot of upward movement in recent weeks. The experts at AAA still expect gasoline to peak sometime during the next month or two, assuming no unforeseen accidents or political turmoil.

› Is Duke Energy's weak customer service improving? Latest survey suggests quite the opposite [Tampa Bay Times]
Despite longstanding claims that it wants to improve its customer service, Duke Energy continues to show declines in ratepayer satisfaction. In a recent survey, it ranks among the lowest in the country in that category among large power companies.

› As condos sales slow, Miami developers turn to rentals [Miami Herald]
Rental apartments are sprouting throughout Miami-Dade as focus turns from ultra-luxury condos to apartments geared toward young professionals seeking an urban lifestyle.