Legislature will tackle death penalty after U.S. Supreme Court's ruling

Florida lawmakers are prioritizing a fix to Florida’s death penalty sentencing procedures after the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a state law giving judges the final say on capital sentencing. [Source: Times/Herald]

See also:
» Charter school funding still a hot debate for Florida Legislature
» Gov. Scott, lawmakers kick off session with new hope of peace

Florida ranked sixth in U.S. for mobile app jobs

Florida’s jobs related to the 59,000 app economy numbered 59,000, which has quadrupled from 12,000 jobs in April 2012. Nationwide, the survey found 1.66 million jobs related to the app economy, as of December 2015 with a 37 percent average yearly growth rate since 2013. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Special residency status for Cuban immigrants is on precarious footing

With thawing relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the law, known as the wet foot/dry foot policy, has become the subject of increasing criticism, and in October, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., filed a bill to repeal it. Access full story.

Needed in 2016: More perks

One of the trends emerging in business for 2016 is an expectation that employers will need to provide more perks, flexibility and possibly higher pay. That’s because employment and unemployment rates are finally reaching what is considered normal, people are returning to the job market and pay is more competitive. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida researchers uncover new details linking stress, fat metabolism

If you’re under constant stress and can’t lose weight, there might be a protein to blame. In cell and mouse model experiments, University of Florida Health researchers have discovered that chronic stress stimulates production of betatrophin, a protein that then goes on to inhibit an enzyme involved in fat metabolism. [Source: UF News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Fighting Cancer — One Patient at a Time [Florida Trend]
Cancer Treatment Centers of America®, headquartered in Florida, redefines the meaning of putting the patient first. While their physicians focus on genetic abnormalities and attacking the cancer at its core, CTCA® hospital care teams focus on the fight — and on the individual.

› CSX fourth quarter profit falls on lower freight volumes [Reuters]
No. 3 U.S. railroad CSX Corp on Tuesday reported a lower quarterly net profit, citing a drop in freight volumes, and said the weak global economy and U.S. industrial markets would weigh on results in the coming year.

› Feds have 'no interest' in clearing Office Depot purchase, report says [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The Federal Trade Commission is not budging from its move to block Staples from acquiring its rival Office Depot.

› Major League Football lands TV deal [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Fans interested in following a new professional football league set to launch this spring will be able to follow the action on television, Major League Football announced Tuesday.

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› eMerge Americas announces speakers, startup competitions [Miami Herald]
eMerge Americas, a homegrown technology conference returning to Miami Beach April 18-19, announced 15 more speakers, including Steve Case, philanthropist, investor and co-founder of America Online.

› Florida among states with highest number of completed foreclosures in November [Orlando Business Journal]
CoreLogic released its national foreclosure report on Tuesday, and Florida is among five states with the highest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending in November.

› Finding, selling theme-park collectibles takes ability to adapt [Orlando Sentinel]
Brian Ramsey is general manager of Theme Park Connection, a 16,500-square-foot business stocked with all manner of attractions merchandise, souvenirs and memorabilia for sale and resale.

› South Florida's second-largest private company to merge [South Florida Business Journal]
Miami-based Southern Wine & Spirits of America announced a merger with Dallas-based Glazer’s Inc. to create the largest wine and spirits distribution company in North America.