Florida Legislature won't appeal redistricting ruling

The Florida Legislature is giving up the fight and will not contest a court ruling that redraws all of the state's 40 state senate districts for the 2016 election cycle. The decision means that the state's new map will become official Feb. 8, when the clock runs out on the appeals process. [Source: Times/Herald]

Legislative Roundup:
» A predicted $400 million drop in revenue could scuttle Gov. Rick Scott's tax-cut plan
» Florida House, Senate committees advance open enrollment measures
» Lawmakers advance bill that opponents say will 'gut' public records law
» Rape kits, gas pump skimmers, Iran among Cabinet priorities

Opioid abuse takes a toll on workers and their employers

According to one study, prescription opioid abuse alone cost employers more than $25 billion in 2007. Other studies show people with addictions are far more likely to be sick or absent, or to use workers' compensation benefits. [Source: NPR]

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz surge in Florida; Bernie Sanders no threat to Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump has strengthened his commanding lead among Florida Republicans and is overwhelming home-state presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush. Trump has the support of 48 percent of Republicans in a new Florida Atlantic University poll – more than 30 points ahead of No. 2 Ted Cruz. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

2015 was the hottest year on Earth by a wide margin

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and NASA announced Wednesday that 2015 was by far the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping. NOAA said 2015's temperature was 58.62 degrees Fahrenheit, passing 2014 by a record margin of 0.29 degrees. [Source: AP]

Meet The Richest Person In America's 50 Largest Cities

For the first time ever, Forbes reveals the richest person in each one of America’s 50 largest cities. Some are familiar names, like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, but far more are obscure business titans, who have quietly minted massive fortunes all across America. [Source: Forbes]

See also:
» Wayne Weaver, former Jaguars owner, richest resident in Jacksonville

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What you need to know about the Zika virus if you live in Florida [Tampa Bay Times]
The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne infection linked to birth defects in Brazil, has made its way to Florida and three other states. But with only seven cases total in the U.S., how much should we worry?

› Orlando City Soccer Club agrees to buy MLS stadium land for $18 million [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando City Soccer Club has agreed to pay the city about $18 million for the land on which its new stadium will be built, as the team continues its push to finish the new venue in time for the 2017 season.

› Brain-tangling algae lurks in Florida waters [Florida Today]
Chronic exposure to a commonplace algae toxin in crabs, shellfish and other seafood increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study suggests.

› Minority business nonprofit expands focus, changes name [Miami Herald]
The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing access and growth for minority businesses, is changing its name to Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council to reflect an expanded service area that now includes Central and Northern Florida.

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› Supreme Court rules against business in class-action case [AP]
The Supreme Court says a business cannot end a class-action lawsuit by offering the person who first sued everything that was asked for. The 6-3 ruling on Wednesday comes in a case of interest to business and consumer groups.

› Former Disney CEO kicks off lecture series [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
“Micromanaging,” “failure” and “thinking inside the box,” aren't typically words that come to mind when analyzing career success. But when that's the business advice the former CEO and chairman of the Walt Disney Co. dishes out, people listen.

› Lighthouse Central Florida lands new contracts for visually impaired [Orlando Sentinel]
Now that Lighthouse Central Florida has a new work center for the visually impaired in Orlando, the organization is landing new contracts. Lighthouse employs 42 people with visual impairments.

› Proposed constitutional amendment would give state ability to authorize new charter schools [Times/Herald]
A proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would give a state board the power to authorize charter schools statewide gained its first approval in a House committee on Wednesday.