Florida's budget, new laws begin July 1

159 new laws will go into effect in Florida on July 1. The issues range from public corruption to alcoholic beverage permits, and building codes to medical uses of marijuana and competitive bidding. More from WJXT and TBN Weekly.

See also:
» Federal judge could block impending changes to Florida abortion law
» Sunshine Law is under siege

Orlando tourist destinations start summer on a sour note

Orlando's tourism industry is heading into the summer facing a number of challenges, including dealing with potential fallout from tragedies at home and turmoil overseas. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Division at UF seeks to promote women-owned businesses

The Division of Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations (SBVDR), led by Director Kathey Porter, is charged with identifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to do business with UF and implement programs to increase their long-term viability and success. [Source: North Central Florida Business Report]

High percentage of doctors in Florida hospitals accept payments from drug and device makers

Where a hospital is located and who owns it make a big difference in how many of its doctors take meals, consulting and promotional payments from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, a new analysis by ProPublica shows. More from ProPublica and Health News Florida.

Florida companies make Fortune's 'Best Workplaces for Millennials' list

Whether you're starting a career or trying to advance in one, a number of Florida headquarters stand out for job-seekers. Publix, Ultimate Software, JM Family Enterprises and Arthrex are among the Florida companies rated as 'Best Workplaces for Millennials.' Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Fortune.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths this year [WFLA]
The year is more than half over, and out of a total of nine deaths by lightning in the U.S., Florida leads the nation with four of them, more than any other state.

› Industrial real estate market sizzles in Palm Beach County [The Real Deal]
The industrial real estate market in Palm Beach County is red hot, powered by the booming residential market, experts say.

› Xerox laying off 95 in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Xerox’s health care services division is laying off 95 employees in Orlando by August 26, at its South Orlando location, 2290 Premier Row.

› USF Health wants to speed up access to Alzheimer's trials [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
The Memory Research Suite, produced as part of the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, is designed to be a mobile clinical research unit. Built to be hauled by semi trucks, the suite was created to move around Florida, especially retirement communities and assisted living facilities.

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› New study finds Florida is a hot spot for Islamophobia [Tampa Bay Times]
A new study concludes that hostility toward Muslims is on the rise in the United States and Florida has emerged as a hot spot for Islamophobic activity.

› Gate announces massive development in St. Johns County [Florida Times-Union]
Plans for the project, which Gate Petroleum will develop along with partner Gatlin Development Co., call for 2.4 million square feet of retail, 2.8 million square feet of office space, 999 multifamily units and 350 hotel rooms.

› What the feds think about one of the biggest bank deals in Tampa Bay [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Bank of the Ozarks has gotten federal regulators’ OK to buy C1 Financial Inc. The approval clears the way for one of the largest bank acquisitions in the Tampa Bay area, likely sometime in July.
» See also: Regulatory approvals in hand, C1 Bank expected to become Bank of the Ozarks

› American Airlines will offer Cuban travelers help with visas [Miami Herald]
To help its new Cuba business take off, American Airlines plans to work with an outside company to assist passengers with getting visas for travel to the island, and it will set up a special Cuba reservations desk soon.