Legal issues to watch in Florida: Water war, free speech, medical pot

From the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington to a Tallahassee courthouse, Florida’s high-profile legal battles in 2018 will focus on issues ranging from a water war to medical marijuana. It’s impossible to foresee all the major legal disputes that will play out in 2018. But here are five to watch. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

Florida Trend Spotlight
Jacksonville / Northeast Florida

Take a good look around Jacksonville and the rest of Northeast Florida. Close your eyes and commit those images to memory. When you open them again, you may not recognize what you see. The seven counties of Northeast Florida are embarking on a transformational period, with a number of projects that are changing the face of the region. These include mixed-use communities and economic development initiatives that will change how residents live, work and play. Full report here, or use the links below to jump to profiles of each county. [Sponsored Section]

County profiles:
Baker County | Clay County | Duval County | Flagler County | Nassau County | Putnam County | St. Johns County

"Climate gentrification" could add value to elevation in Florida real estate

Homes at higher elevations in Florida are gaining value at a faster clip than those closer to sea level. It's an accelerating trend, and it has residents and real estate agents -- in Miami and other coastal communities -- asking whether "climate gentrification" has arrived. More from CBS News and Bisnow.

Your turn:
» Is your Florida property at a good elevation? (quick poll)

Florida's biggest consumer gripes of 2017: Telemarketers, landlords

Telemarketers and robocallers were Floridians biggest consumer gripes of 2017, at least according to calls and emails to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consumers complaining about violations of the National Do Not Call Registry were the top complaint for the second year in a row. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Floridians may get nostalgic for lower gas prices this year

Those days of cheap gas in Florida may be in the rearview mirror and experts say this is just the beginning for pain at the pump in 2018. Higher energy prices will likely drive gas up to $2.51 per gallon on average — 12 cents more than last year, according to the Energy Information Administration. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa Bay Area firm rolls into Vegas for expansion [Business Observer]
DAS Health, a fast-growing health care IT management firm, has acquired Las Vegas-based Integra I.T. Solutions. The acquisition — DAS Health’s fifth in less than three years — broadens the firm’s electronic health record services and technology offerings, while enhancing customer support and care.

› Manatee firm in $500 million international merger [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In one of the largest transactions in recent memory for a Southwest Florida company, Manatee County’s Star2Star Communications has merged in a $500 million deal with an Irish company that also provides internet-protocol communications systems to businesses.

› Scripps Florida spins off muscular dystrophy drug company [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Jupiter-based research institute Scripps Florida is spinning off a company, Expansion Therapeutics, which on Wednesday announced it has raised $55.3 million in financing.

› MacDill considering changes to its ban on recreational drones [Tampa Bay Times]
Recreational drones are becoming more popular every day and with that in mind, officials at MacDill Air Force Base are looking into whether to end a base-wide ban on the unmanned aircraft.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Brevard tourism sector invests in sports, ranging from softball to surfing [Florida Today]
Space Coast tourism officials are looking to a range of sports events to help draw visitors to the area — and help boost the local tourism sector. A key contributor to that will be the baseball and softball tournaments that the U.S. Specialty Sports Association will hold at what previously was known as Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

› New tax law spell sweet relief for citrus growers [Growing Produce]
Finally, Florida citrus growers have something to cheer about thanks to a new tax law designed to help the state’s besieged industry bounce back from the one-two punch of HLB and Hurricane Irma.

› Florida polls suggest DeSantis bid for governor, potential GOP front-runner [First Coast News]
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is seeing some favorable statistics for his undeclared, yet highly anticipated, bid for governor of Florida, following the president’s endorsement just before Christmas.

› Feds seize 1 immigration detainee per day from Miami-Dade jails [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade jails turned over an average of one immigration detainee per day to federal authorities during 2017, a pace set by the county’s controversial decision to comply with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on people being sought for deportation.