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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Florida bases could receive more than $582M for construction projects
The U.S. Senate passed its version this week of the Department of Defense's funding bill and Florida military bases could receive $582.5 million for construction projects. The National Defense Authorization Act passed Thursday on an 86-11 vote, setting up a possible showdown with the House, which passed its version of the bill on July 14. The two sides must iron their differences before the $886 billion bill can go to President Joe Biden for a possible signature.
› As Duval schools mull book bans, titles head to Jacksonville bookshelves
Duval County schools should open next month with something that was hard to find last school year: books. But when kids want books that schools don’t allow, there’s a place for them to look now, too. “We don’t want there to ever be a lack of knowledge for any of our girls,” said Diamond Wallace, who oversees a girls’ mentorship program and helped spark the opening this summer of the Unbanned Book Club, a small haven inside a Northside barbershop for books that are often challenged by school systems.
› Solar co-op established for Sarasota, Charlotte counties
A new solar co-op to promote solar energy as a cost-savings solution to rising energy costs has been launched in Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit in Florida that set up solar co-ops with the goal of creating a new energy system, will host a Florida Solar 101 webinar at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org to register.
› Inter Miami interested in adding women’s club, Beckham says
Inter Miami ownership is not satisfied with signing stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Co-owner David Beckham has other visions too, and it includes the addition of an Inter Miami women’s team. Beckham said he and co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas “definitely” have plans to form a women’s team in an interview with The Athletic. In fact, it’s been a discussion since they established the franchise.
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