Former U.S. attorney in Miami and FIU law dean picked by Trump to head Labor

Alexander Acosta, a former U.S. attorney in Miami and the dean of Florida International University's law school, has been nominated as the labor secretary after President Donald Trump's initial choice failed to gain the support of the GOP-led Senate. More from the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Florida Trend.

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» Alexander Acosta: Trump Labor pick’s history in South Florida

Appeals court strikes down Florida 'Docs vs Glocks' law

A controversial Florida law that restricted doctors from asking patients about firearm ownership violates medical professionals’ constitutional right to free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday. More from Reuters, the AP and the Bradenton Herald.

Business community opposition mounts to 'prejudgement interest' bill pending in Florida Senate

Business community opposition is mounting to legislation being considered in Tallahassee that would require Florida courts to include prejudgement interest in any final lawsuit award. Currently, in personal injury cases in Florida, a jury will award an amount, and then interest will be added until the payment is made. [Source: Florida Business Daily]

Florida researcher works with NASA to study using Martian soil to build human habitats

It's hard enough to transport humans to Mars. But once they get there, where will they live? A University of Central Florida professor is working with NASA to figure out a way to extract metals from the Martian soil - metals that could be fed into a 3-D printer to produce the components of a human habitat, ship parts, tools and electronics. [Source: Phys.org]

Florida ranks as one of least affordable housing markets in Realtors’ new measure

It’s no surprise that property is prohibitively priced in Hawaii and California, or that homes are very affordable in Indiana. But here’s a shocker, from a new affordability measure by the National Association of Realtors and Realtor.com: Florida no longer is a bastion of cheap housing. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Winter Park's Ruth's Chris turns in earnings Friday [Orlando Sentinel]
Winter Park-based Ruth’s Hospitality Group, parent of upscale steakhouse chain Ruth’s Chris, hopes to turn around sluggish sales growth when it reports its fourth quarter and 2016 annual earnings Friday morning.

› Pet food retailer Chewy to open fulfillment center in Marion County, add 600 jobs [Florida Trend]
Governor Rick Scott announced that Chewy, an online retailer of pet food and products in the United States, will locate a new fulfillment center in Marion County. The new facility will create 600 jobs and a $49 million capital investment in the region.

› Florida among top states for U.S. traffic deaths in 2016 [WPTV]
Florida was among the most deadly states to drive in last year as motor-vehicle deaths throughout the United States surpassed 40,000 for the first time since 2007.

› Hot, dry weather damaging citrus industry [WWSB]
Out on Brown's Farm in Sarasota, the oranges are being processed, cleaned and polished. But, there isn't enough of them. Brown and his family have been farming oranges in Sarasota since 1915-- that's 102 years. He doesn't remember his father or grandfather dealing with the issues he's having.
» See also: Florida Citrus Community Loses Longtime Leader to Leukemia

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› Scripps Florida awarded $3.3 million to create breast cancer treatments [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Scripps Florida in Jupiter has been awarded $3.3 million from the National Cancer Institute to create breast cancer treatments. The scientists aim to develop a new type of therapy called antibody drug conjugate that kills only cancer cells.

› Miami vs. Airbnb: City proposes partial short-term rental ban and strict regulations [Miami Herald]
While the popular short-term rental platform grapples with $20,000 fines levied against renters on Miami Beach and a stalled tax agreement with the county, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado is adding his voice in opposition to the growth of Airbnb and similar sites.

› Florida abortion waiting period law temporarily blocked [AP]
A state Supreme Court order blocking enforcement of Florida's 24-hour abortion waiting period will remain in place while a lower court determines whether the law is constitutional. The Florida Supreme Court issued its ruling Thursday, leaving in place the injunction it ordered ten months ago.

› Lake Nona increases wellness initiatives with Technogym [Orlando Sentinel]
Lake Nona is partnering with the high-end Italian wellness company Technogym to further integrate fitness and activity into the lives of its residents. It is yet another step by this 17-square-mile community toward establishing itself as a living lab.