Growth of construction jobs slows

The growth of construction jobs in Florida — a bright spot in the economy for months — slowed considerably in June, according to an employment report released Wednesday. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Majority backs Spanish as required Florida school class

Spanish should be a required subject in Florida's public schools, a majority of state residents think. A survey by University of Florida researchers released today found two thirds of Floridians support mandating Spanish language instruction. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida SBDC Network announces winners of 2015 Performance Excellence Awards

The awards, which were presented by Florida SBDC Network CEO and State Director Michael Myhre in Miami on June 23 as part of the network's professional development conference, annually recognize top personnel, volunteers and partners for their contributions to the network's mission in helping Florida's small businesses grow and succeed. [Source: Florida Trend]

For-profit colleges: a consumer's guide

Commercial schools have been around for centuries, providing training in fields like accounting and construction that loftier educational institutions did not always offer. But these days, for-profit colleges are under fire. [Source: AP]

Related Florida Trend Content
» Chart: For-Profit Colleges & Universities in Florida

Lightning season, always fierce in Florida, is proving deadly this year

While fatal strikes remain rare, they are happening at a surprisingly higher rate this lightning season. As of July 6, 17 people have died across the U.S. — with Florida and Alabama tied for first with three deaths in each state. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Art Basel safe in convention center remake [Miami Today]
The $500 million renovation of the Miami Beach Convention Center is to begin in December, but there’s no need for Art Basel fanatics to fret – the art show isn’t going anywhere. Construction is to be completed in phases, each circling around the art show’s annual return.

› Florida Hospital faces two data breach lawsuits [Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Hospital is facing two possible class action lawsuits regarding two separate data breaches of patient information over the past four years.

› Florida export mission to Honduras set for Dec. 1-3 [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida is organizing an export sales mission to Honduras for Dec. 1-3. Exporters can sign up early for a matchmaking service to prearrange one-on-one meetings with potential buyers.

› A wildcard GOP candidate enters Fla's U.S. Sen race [Tampa Bay Times]
A political newcomer, former Special Forces Commander and CIA veteran Todd Wilcox of Orlando, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by presidential candidate Marco Rubio.

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› Swiss manufacturing company buys Coral Springs warehouse [South Florida Business Journal]
Hoerbiger Corporation of America, part of a Swiss manufacturing company, bought a warehouse in Coral Springs for $12.85 million.

› Wahlburgers to open first Florida location [Palm Beach Post]
A celebrity-owned restaurant is making its way down to the east coast to Florida. Wahlburgers — which is owned by actor-brothers Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg — will open its first Sunshine State location in Orlando.

› Florida drops appeal of Miami-Dade, Keys same-sex marriage cases [Miami Herald]
Eleven days after the U.S. Supreme Court declared same-sex couples have the right to marry everywhere in America, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi officially dropped her appeal of the state’s first two gay marriage victories.

› BlueGrace Logistics to hire 100 for Tampa headquarters [Tampa Bay Times]
BlueGrace Logistics, a transportation management company, will expand its headquarters and add 100 new jobs in Hillsborough County.