Florida leads nation in sign-ups for Obamacare

More than 670,000 Floridians have signed up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2015, the most of any state using the federal marketplace, And 94 percent of Florida enrollees will receive financial aid from the government. [Source: Miami Herald]

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Florida consumer confidence hits post-recession high

Consumer confidence among Floridians continued it upward trajectory in December, reaching a post-recession high, according to a monthly survey by the University of Florida released Tuesday. The new measure of 87.4 marks the highest level of consumer optimism since February 2007. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Gainesville Sun, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Florida ranks second among movers

Florida was the nation's second most-popular destination for movers this year, according to Allied Van Lines. The company moved 6,558 people into the state and 4,807 out. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Wealth gap can split society and families

Experts see a growing trend. The same forces that have increasingly separated the richest Americans from everyone else is dividing brothers and sisters, too. It’s given rise to a mix of often conflicting emotions — jealousy and resentment, disappointment and distance, but also frequently understanding and respect. [Source: AP]

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Judge dismisses Florida voucher program lawsuit

A judge on Tuesday dismissed one of two lawsuits aimed at Florida's controversial school voucher program. The suit challenged the 2014 expansion of a program that provides private-school scholarships for low-income children. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the AP.

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Publix to offer benefits to married same-sex couples [Orlando Sentinel]
The grocery chain with about 168,500 employees nationwide said it will start offering health, dental and vision benefits to any couple that is married in any state, regardless of the laws where the worker lives.

› Companies line up for Florida Venture Capital Conference [Orlando Sentinel]
Companies are lining up to present at one of the state’s biggest venture capital events, the 24th Annual Florida Venture Capital Conference, Jan. 29-30, in South Florida.

› Short-sellers get boost from last-minute extension [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The last-minute extension of a popular federal tax break should provide a financial boost for hundreds of struggling Southwest Florida homeowners.

› Manatees died in lower numbers in 2014 [Florida Today]
Sea cows were safer in 2014. While the numbers have yet to include the year's final week, the 361 manatee deaths tallied so far this year in Florida could make 2014 one of the best years for manatees in a while. Last year, 811 manatees died.

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› Caribbean seeks US to help boost sugar production [AP]
A Guyana-based organization that oversees sugar production in the Caribbean says it is seeking to partner with U.S. companies to help save one of the world's oldest sugarcane breeding institutions.

› Miami Worldcenter approved for millions in CRA incentives [South Florida Business Journal]
The developers of the $1.5 billion Miami Worldcenter project obtained city approval for millions of dollars in incentives through the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency.

› Ride-share users poised to see expensive fares on New Year's Eve [Tampa Bay Times]
Uber Spokesman Taylor Bennett said New Year's Eve is likely to be the company's busiest night in history, and he expects riders will requests millions of rides nationwide, many of them falling under surge pricing.

› Modernizing Medicine buys Aesyntix Health [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
In a move that could significantly expand its business, Modernizing Medicine, creator of a cloud-based, specialty-specific electronic medical records system, announced Tuesday that it has acquired a California company.