New laws take effect in Florida on January 1

A statewide prohibition on people under 18 buying certain over-the-counter cough suppressants is one of three new laws that will hit the books with the arrival of the New Year. The other changes to state laws involve insurance policy coverage of opioid medications and how financial institutions may receive summonses and subpoenas. [Source: WPTV] See a list of all the laws passed by the Florida Legislature in 2016, here.

The New Year laws are:

• SB 938: Retail Sale of Dextromethorphan
• SB 422: Health Insurance Coverage for Opioids
• SB 1104: Service of Process on Financial Institutions

Florida Trend Spotlight
Tallahassee and Leon County: Reimagining the future

Two research universities and a burgeoning tech community are part of Tallahassee, a vibrant Southern city with a progressive vibe. This sponsored report looks at Tallahassee’s economic foundation and the more than $1.2 billion in projects on the drawing board. Full report here.

Florida legislative leaders say they're willing to compromise on expanding gambling

With a lawsuit pending in the Florida Supreme Court, the House and Senate still disagree on whether to allow slot machines in eight counties where voters approved gambling expansion. But leaders from the two chambers said they are willing to compromise for a lucrative gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe. [Source: Naples Daily News]

More U.S. carriers are cutting back on flights to Cuba

Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways plans to trim its flight schedule to Cuba starting early next year, becoming the second U.S. airline to reduce the frequency of flights to the island. More from Travel Weekly and the Miami Herald.

In Florida, women are poorer today than 12 years ago

In Florida, women are poorer and have less access to health care and development opportunities than most states in the country, according to a recent poverty report. The number of women 18 and older in Florida living below the poverty line is 15.4 percent (compared to men, which is 12.2 percent). [Source: Miami Herald]

There are two reports on the status of women in Florida by county:
» Poverty and Opportunity
» Population and Diversity

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida county to monitor animal abusers in the same way as sex offenders [WFTV]
A Florida county has a new way of protecting pets from those who injure and abuse them. Marion County officials plan to keep track of animal abusers the same way they track sex offenders.

› Florida Hospital subsidiary laying off dozens, state notice shows [Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Hospital Medical Group intends to lay off 67 workers in its central billing department in Maitland beginning in March, according to a notice filed with the state.

› Drivers beware: Red-light citation email scam hits Florida [News Release]
Drivers should watch out for an email scam targeting Floridians falsely telling them they owe money for red-light citations, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

› Magic Leap commits to creating 725 jobs in Broward County [Miami Herald]
Magic Leap officially announced on Wednesday that is will expand its operations in Broward County, creating 725 high-wage positions and making a capital investment of $150 million.

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› South Florida’s high cybercrime rate requires strategic response [Miami Herald]
On a per capita basis, Miami leads the nation with 340 identity theft complaints per 100,000 residents. Identity thieves use this information to hack corporate and government systems as well as to submit false tax refund requests.

› Year of challenges and change for higher education around Tallahassee [Tallahassee Democrat]
The year brought about change, advancements and celebrations in Tallahassee higher education arena, with each development likely to have an impact for years to come.

› Deceptive marketing looms large in drug-treatment industry, Florida grand jury finds [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The grand jury, convened by Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, was the first of its kind in Florida to examine the state's billion-dollar substance abuse treatment industry and offer recommendations on how to improve it.

› Orlando Republican wants to be state's next agriculture commissioner [Tampa Bay Times]
Republican Paul Paulson said he has filed papers with the Florida Division of Elections to run to replace current commissioner Adam Putnam, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits.