6 Things to Know in Florida for January 8

MAN ON DEATH ROW EXECUTED FOR KILLING GUARD
 
A Florida inmate has been executed for fatally stabbing a prison guard with a sharpened spoon while on death row for abducting and killing a Miami couple. Askari Abdullah Muhammad, previously known as Thomas Knight, was pronounced dead at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison, the governor's office said.
 
FLORIDA PARKS GIVE DISCOUNTS TO FOOTBALL FANS
 
Florida's state park system is celebrating the bowl game wins of Florida State University and the University of Central Florida by offering fans discounts. The Florida Park Service said Tuesday it would offer a half-price admission Mondays through Thursdays to fans wearing FSU and UCF hats or shirts. Students from the schools can get into the parks for half-price by showing student IDs.
 
FLORIDA WOMAN GUILTY IN $20M MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME
 
A South Florida woman has pleaded guilty to involvement in several health care fraud schemes that cost the Medicare program an estimated $20 million in losses. Former Merfi Corp. clinic owner Isabel Medina pleaded guilty Tuesday in Miami federal court to health care fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. The 49-year-old Medina will be sentenced in March.
 
SARASOTA YOUTH DIRECTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT
 
The director of a Sarasota summer youth program has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. Lyndon Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing almost $77,000 in federal funds. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
 
FEWER PANTHERS DIED IN 2013 THAN 2012
 
Fewer Florida panthers died last year than in 2012. Florida wildlife officials said Tuesday that 20 panther deaths were documented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. That's down from 27 deaths in 2012.

PROSECUTORS DISMISS CASE AGAINST SON OF PARAGUAYAN PRESIDENT

South Florida authorities have dropped their assault case against the son of Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes. The charges against Juan Pablo Cartes Montana stemmed from an October altercation at a party Cartes hosted at his luxury condo in a suburb of Miami. A police report described 29-year-old Cartes arguing with a guest, asking the individual to leave and then punching the guest in the eye as security guards escorted him through the lobby.