Redistricting battle heads back to Florida Supreme Court

For more than a year, a quietly simmering legal battle over the partisan intentions of Florida's Legislature and Fair Districts backers has been playing out over whether the state's re-drawn maps are still designed to protect ruling Republicans. On Thursday, the fight playing out in a trio of lawsuits returned to the Florida Supreme Court. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Times/Herald.

Backstory and Related Florida Trend Content
» The Game of Redistricting
» Redistricting: Free-for-All in Florida
» Party Lines in Redistricting Florida

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Funky Trader Joe's grocery generates excitement

What is it about Trader Joe's? The funky-yet-frugal specialty grocer's plans for its first Central Florida store have been met with über-enthusiasm, the same kind that accompanies iPhone releases and big Powerball jackpots. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

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Gas forecast to cost 16 cents less this year

Publisher's Column On Municipal and State Pensions This month, I want to talk about pensions — both municipal and state. If you are terrified of this topic, you still need to read on because pensions are a huge issue and simply too big to ignore. I’m worried that pensions are a ticking time bomb waiting to explode on all citizens of Florida. We need to get a handle on the situation now while there’s still time. » Full column from Florida Trend Publisher Andy Corty

U.S. consumers will pay an average 16 cents per gallon less for gasoline this summer than a year ago, the statistical arm of the Energy Department said this week in its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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South Florida falls to third in national foreclosure rankings

South Florida has relinquished its ranking as the nation's top spot for foreclosures. After posting the No. 1 foreclosure rate for two consecutive months, the metro area covering Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties fell to third in April, according to RealtyTrac Inc. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Colleges tout need to mesh academia with hiring realities

When Barry University negotiates a vendor contract, it may have a few requests beyond the lowest prices and speedy delivery: finding jobs for its students. By tapping its procurement arm for some career-placement help, Barry reflects the ongoing effort by South Florida colleges and universities to mesh their academic operations with hiring realities. More at the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box Got milk? Effort launched for a human milk bank in Florida Every year thousands of babies are born prematurely in Florida and sometimes mothers are unable to provide milk for their babies. Florida doesn't have a human milk bank of its own. But a group of local nurses and doctors wants to change that. Karen Kesler, a nurse and lactation specialist at Florida Hospital, is leading an effort to create the Mother's Milk Bank of Florida. This weekend the group is hosting Miles for Milk, a 5K run and walk to raise money for the effort. » Full story from the Orlando Sentinel » Mothers' Milk Bank of Florida

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