Florida's election season kicks off with huge crop of candidates

Florida is poised for a volatile political season as a large crop of candidates met Friday's deadline to get on the ballot for the 2016 elections. Factors in this active season include:

• The unpredictable force of Donald Trump
• Court-ordered redesign of congressional districts
• High turnover in the state's congressional delegation: Eight of Florida's 27 members of Congress are leaving and all 27 seats are being contested for the first time.
• Unaffiliated candidates will offer a third alternative in two dozen races for U.S. Senate, Congress and the Legislature

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

In Florida, the politics of Zika matter

Health officials warn that Miami, as the country’s major transportation gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, where the disease has taken hold, could easily become ground zero for Zika this summer. [Source: Boston Globe]

See also:
» Florida charity helps homeless fight against Zika
» Concerns about Zika are shifting destinations for ‘babymooners’
» On the front lines against Zika, Tampa Bay area mosquito experts are pressing hard
» Senate to Take Up House Bill on Zika Funding, Barbs and All
» Inside a monkey lab, research gets fast-tracked in the 'Zika room'

After Orlando, some businesses stress LGBT inclusivity

Some small business owners already working to make their companies more welcoming to LGBT employees say the massacre at a gay dance club in Orlando gives them an impetus to make more changes. [Source: AP]

Cuts in Enterprise Florida incentives spark concerns

The incentive — known as the Quick Action Closing Fund — provided Gov. Rick Scott with flexibility to offer cash to companies looking to expand in Florida, and was considered a handy tool in the state’s economic development toolbox for competitive projects. [Source: Florida Today]

Effects of 'Brexit' on our tourism? Experts say it's too early to tell

The reaction was immediate. Britain's decision to leave the European Union sent shock waves through financial markets globally on Friday, and the British pound fell to record lows. What it means for South Florida will take longer to decipher. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the South Florida Business Journal.

See also:
» Yes, you’re feeling the Brexit at Miami gas stations

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Despite drop, cash reigns in Sarasota real estate [Business Observer]
Cash sales in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton region fell 7 percentage points in March from March 2015, but the region’s cash sales share is still well above the national average.

› Collier County looks to up its game in sports [Naples Daily News]
Collier County should build a new state-of-the-art athletic park to woo more sporting events — and the tourists and spectators that would come along with them, a county consultant has recommended.

› Music executive Jason Davis moves his business to Delray [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Music manager and executive producer Jason Davis relocated his multimillion-dollar entertainment business from Los Angeles, New York and Nashville to downtown Delray Beach.

› Dutch software company plants flag in Gainesville [Gainesville Sun]
Dutch software company Vanad Group made official its plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Gainesville with an announcement Friday morning at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce office.

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› Miss Florida Pageant economic impact to exceed $2 million [Lakeland Ledger]
By the time the newest Miss Florida is crowned in Lakeland on Saturday night, the pageant will have brought an estimated $2 million in tourism dollars to Polk County.

› Boca real estate agent wants to pay sellers for their listings [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Bob Ross, of RD Ross Realty in Boca Raton, said he has a novel way to get home listings. He wants to pay for them.

› Central Florida destinations buys marketing at travel convention [Orlando Sentinel]
Buyers and tour operators attending the U.S. Travel Association's IPW convention last week couldn't avoid some of Central Florida's popular attractions.

› TECO Energy CEO John Ramil will retire Aug. 31 [Tampa Bay Times]
John Ramil, president and chief executive officer of TECO Energy and a 40-year veteran of the Tampa utility, announced Friday that he will retire on Aug. 31 following the formal closing of the company's acquisition by Nova Scotia-based Emera Inc.