News of the week: Finding Dory gets the science right, Microsoft starts selling software designed to regulated the legal marijuana industry, and more from around the Bay Area.

Microsoft to Sell Software for Regulating Legal Marijuana Industry, New York Times

The software — a new product in Microsoft's cloud computing business — is meant to help states that have legalized the medical or recreational use of marijuana keep tabs on sales and commerce, ensuring that they remain in the daylight of legality. But until now, even that boring part of the pot world was too controversial for mainstream companies. It is apparent now, though, that the legalization train is not slowing down: This fall, at least five states, including the biggest of them all — California — will vote on whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Read More.

Finding Dory Fish Consultant Discusses Importance of Science in Movies, Nature

Q: Apart from talking animals, are you pleased that Pixar has been scrupulous on the science?

A: This question is very important for the entertainment industry: does it matter whether you're right, when you're telling a story to entertain? Under some circumstances, I don't think it matters. But with an animated movie about real, living systems, when you use the truth — their complexity and beauty — as a springboard for the story, you add a level of gravitas that is vitally important to creating a broad and deep appeal. A young audience is much more sophisticated than you think, and a story informed by a lot of facts alerts them to the presence of real concepts. Read More.

Spanish Startup Selling Blue Wine Plans Expansion to Europe, U.S.,Eater

There's red wine, white wine, even pink wine. But now thanks to six young Spanish entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the University of the Basque Country and Azti Tecnalia (the food research department of the Basque Government), blue wine—which targets millennial drinkers—is about to hit European markets. Read More.

Uber, Lyft Halt Operations in Austin, Texas, The Atlantic

Uber and Lyft dominate the ridesharing market in many cities, and what's called the network effect—the idea that a platform or service becomes more useful as its number of users increases—makes it hard for smaller players to compete with them. For that reason, Uber and Lyft's disappearance from Austin's market is opening up opportunities for alternative ridesharing arrangements that might not otherwise have a shot. Read More.

LinkedIn CEO Explains Sale of Company to Microsoft,Time

Microsoft announced Monday that it would acquire professional networking site LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion. In an email to LinkedIn employees, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner explained why he decided to sell the company to Microsoft. Weiner mentions Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's leadership as a driving factor. Read More.