Florida likely to spend millions battling stinky algae blooms

Amid a growing outcry - and national headlines - about a massive algae bloom fouling Florida's southern beaches and rivers, Gov. Rick Scott promised to dedicate millions more to battle the problem. In addition, Scott said he would ask the Florida Legislature to set aside money that would be used for a grant program to aid homeowners who voluntarily want to switch from septic tanks to central sewer systems. More from the AP, the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Politics, and the Times/Herald.

See also:
» Algae woes shouldn't harm Southwest Florida tourism
» How Florida governor plans to fight algae on beaches
» Why Is Florida’s ‘unprecedented’ algae bloom toxic?
» Opinion: Who to blame for toxic algae? All of us

Supreme Court asked to weigh Florida credit-card surcharges

Attorney General Pam Bondi is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a dispute about the constitutionality of a Florida law that has blocked businesses from imposing surcharges on customers who pay with credit cards. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Publix is getting into the grocery delivery business

Publix is collaborating with Instacart to deliver groceries in Miami beginning next week. This is a pilot program between the two companies. It's unclear at this time if Publix will expand the service with Instacart to other markets. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.

» Your turn: Would you use a grocery delivery service? (quick poll)

The biggest danger for Donald Trump: Florida

If demographics are destiny, Donald Trump’s political fate could very well be sealed in Florida. The big demographic threat to the Republican Party isn’t a “blue” Texas or Arizona or Georgia, but the possibility that Florida will follow Nevada and New Mexico to the left. [Source: New York Times]

Commentary: Farming is a pillar of Florida’s economy

Imagine Florida without farms. Florida would no longer be the No. 1 producer of market vegetables, the No. 2 producer of nursery plants and the No. 3 producer of honey. More from the Naples Daily News. [Source: Naples Daily News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› New drug from University of Miami and Tetra Discovery Partners could improve memory after traumatic brain injury [UM News]
Treating rats with an experimental drug at three months following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) improves their learning memory ability, as reported in a new study published online in the July edition of The Journal of Neuroscience. Read more here.

› A record-breaking year for moving UF technologies to market [UF News]
The University of Florida’s Office of Technology Licensing signed a record 122 licenses and options and launched 17 startup companies in fiscal year 2015-16, topping last year’s total of 85 licenses by 43 percent. Full story from UF, here.

› Port Canaveral cracks down on unpermitted transportation companies [Florida Today]
Port Canaveral is deploying new technology as it aims to crack down on commercial transportation providers that don't pay the required fees to do business there. Among those affected will be ride-booking services like Uber and Lyft.

› FSU study examines safety, effect of automated vehicles [FSU News]
In May, a Tesla Model S crashed while on "autopilot," killing the driver. This fatal collision has people questioning the safety of automated vehicle technology, but researchers at FSU have been looking at how safety and mobility could actually improve in an automated vehicle (AV) world. Read more here.

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› National bank names new Florida regional president [Business Observer]
PNC Bank, a Pittsburgh-based bank with 197 offices in Florida, named Chadwick Loar regional president of the Florida West region. Loar will take over as president of the region, which spans from south Tallahassee to Naples and central Florida, on July 11

› Boston Red Sox donate to Southwest Florida nonprofits [Naples Daily News]
The Boston Red Sox recently donated a total of $12,500 to three local nonprofits as a follow-up to their sixth annual week of giving back to communities in Southwest Florida.

› Biotech networking event Saturday in Sunrise [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
BioFlorida, the state's biotech industry association, is having a Saturday Exchange networking event from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Innovative Endoscopy Components in Sunrise.

› Food halls to bring new dining option to Central Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Food halls are headed to Central Florida as the new-style restaurant incubators draw the attention of chefs, developers and retailers. Driven by younger patrons, food halls feature several local chefs cooking at small stalls or kiosks under a single roof.