Florida files lawsuit against opioid makers and distributors

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that she had filed "the most comprehensive lawsuit in the country" against the largest manufacturers and distributors of opioids, blaming them for creating an opioid crisis that has killed more than 10,000 Floridians. See Bondi's news release here, and the legal complaint here. Also read more at the Times/Herald, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and WFTV.

See also:
» Opioid suits create new settlement doubts
» 6 more states just sued the Oxycontin maker. Bloomberg looks at how that could dramatically alter the price of an opioid settlement.
» State sues 2 Lakeland drug distribution centers
» Palm Beach County Commission declares opioid crisis a ‘public nuisance’

Florida hedge fund manager David Tepper to buy Carolina Panthers for $2.2 billion

David Tepper, the billionaire hedge fund founder, has agreed to buy the Carolina Panthers for an NFL-record of approximately $2.2 billion, according to people familiar with the sale. In December, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced he would sell the team he founded, shortly after allegations of workplace misconduct were reported by Sports Illustrated. See the announcement from the Carolina Panthers, here. Also read more at the Wall Street Journal and the AP.

See also:
» Meet David Tepper: The outspoken billionaire buying the Panthers

Related, from Florida Trend
» Florida's super-rich

Extra long ballot in November causes concern for groups supporting property tax initiative

There's no organized opposition. Approving the ballot measure keeps the status quo. But supporting groups aren't taking any chances. That's in part because November's ballot promises to be a long one, with scores of races and proposed constitutional amendments, which can sometimes lead voters to skip questions or vote "no" more easily. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Related, from Florida TaxWatch:
» Repealing Florida's 'Non-Homestead Exemption Cap' could result in annual $700 million tax increase

Court approves bankruptcy plan for Winn-Dixie's Jacksonville-based parent company

Southeastern Grocers’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan is a go after a judge approved it this week. Under the plan, the Jacksonville-based chain expects to reduce its debt by approximately $600 million and continue to operate more than 575 Winn Dixie, Bi-Lo, Fresco y Mas and Harveys stores in seven states, including Florida. More from WJCT and the Tampa Bay Times.

Battered by bleaching, Florida's coral reefs now face mysterious disease

Around the world, coral reefs are facing trouble. Coral bleaching, due in part to rising ocean temperatures, has stressed reefs, leaving them weakened and susceptible to disease. Now, in Florida, scientists are now struggling to combat a mysterious disease that's threatening the future of the world's third largest coral reef. [Source: NPR]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› A decade after scandal, Ray Sansom plots comeback [Tampa Bay Times]
It has been nearly a decade since former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom of Destin resigned amid allegations that he misused his office to steer tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer money to a friend and a local college.

› Amazon Prime chooses Florida for new Whole Foods discounts [Press Release]
Attention shoppers: Your Amazon Prime membership can now shave money off the groceries you buy at any Whole Foods location in Florida. Amazon announced Wednesday it is now offering an additional 10 percent off sale items to Prime members. Read more at the Miami Herald.

› Orlando area ranked No. 4 in nation for people to move to, pushing up home prices [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando’s midpoint sales price for homes has risen for 82 straight months, according to April data that Orlando Regional Realtor Association released Tuesday. The midpoint price for all home types rose to $237,000, 10.3 percent year over year and 3 percent higher than a month earlier.

› Brightline picks Lyft for exclusive partnership [Palm Beach Post]
As Brightline prepares for the opening of its Miami station this weekend, the ride-sharing service Lyft announced it has inked an exclusive partnership with the private-rail company to help get travelers to their final destinations.

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› Wet season off to an early start in Florida [Growing Produce]
All counties in the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) experienced higher-than-average rainfall during April, with several counties seeing twice their average. This is quite a difference from a year ago, when rainfall was scant around the state and burn bans were rampant.

› Florida appeals court upholds 'Stand Your Ground' changes [Tallahassee Democrat]
A South Florida appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of a controversial change to the state’s "stand your ground” self-defense law — but also might have set the stage for a debate at the Florida Supreme Court about how the change should apply in some cases.

› Georgia sees heavy 'in-migration' from Florida [Atlanta Business Chronicle]
The Peach State saw the fifth-largest increase of migration among the 50 states, with 69,106 additions, according to year-over-year U.S Census data as of year-end 2016 (latest available). The biggest influx came from Florida.

› St. Petersburg will not provide police officers in elementary schools [Tampa Bay Times]
Mayor Rick Kriseman announced Tuesday morning the city has reversed course on its plan and will no longer take police officers off the streets to serve in elementary schools. A new state law requires armed officers in every public school.