Sunshine State slow to warm up to solar power

While Florida advertises itself as the Sunshine State, power company executives and regulators have worked successfully to keep most Floridians from using that sunshine to generate their own power. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

See also:
» Rules prevent solar panels in many states with abundant sunlight
» Solar power slowly catching on in Jacksonville
» Would You Volunteer to Pay for Solar Energy? It’s Happening in Florida.

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Ad war looms over medical marijuana

Dueling ad campaigns -- both for and against medical marijuana -- will compete for attention amid political appeals from candidates for governor and other offices, adding to an expected deluge of election messages though late summer and early fall. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

See also:
» Growing in Colo., with an eye on Fla.
» Marine will be on medical marijuana ground floor

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Big profits for mom-and-pop landlords in South Florida

Mom-and-pop landlords are making robust returns in South Florida, a new report says. Real estate website Zillow.com ranks the region as the country's second-best market for residential landlords who aren't professional investors. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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Florida Polytechnic University celebrates opening

1,000 people showed up to celebrate the official launch of Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, August 16. A brief pyrotechnic display marked the official school launch. Chief Operating Officer Ava Parker kicked off a lineup of speakers, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who expressed excitement and hope for the future of Florida's 12th state university. Florida Poly will welcome 555 students on Aug. 25. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

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Feds rethink giving excess military gear to police

As the country concludes its longest wartime period, the military has turned over thousands of surplus weapons and armored trucks to local police who often trained alongside the military. [Source: AP]

See also:
» Florida among the states that receive most surplus military gear

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› In proud Hendry, Florida's hardest-hit county searches for economic boost [Tampa Bay Times]
Five years after the official end of the recession, Hendry remains the only one of Florida's 67 counties still mired in double-digit unemployment. Its July jobless rate of 12.5 percent, reported by the state Friday, is not only more than 3 percentage points higher than any other county, it's more than double Florida's rate of 6.2 percent.

› Florida earns $1.3 million from unclaimed property [AP]
The state of Florida has earned $1.3 million from an auction of unclaimed property. State officials said last week that the money will be used for public school funding.

› Sun Capital shines in buying, fixing and selling firms [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Sun Capital Partners of Boca Raton may not be a household name, but some of the businesses it controls probably ring a bell: Boston Market, Johnny Rockets, Friendly's and The Limited Stores.

› The big billion-dollar stink over sewers in the Keys [Miami Herald]
Nearly $1 billion later, the plumbing of the Keys is within sight of the finish line. It has been an odyssey steeped in angry words, purported conspiracies, regulatory wrangling and lawsuits — even though people have agreed on the ultimate goal: clean coastal water.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Window closing for Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Carillon Business Park [Tampa Bay Times]
Amid much fanfare two years ago, developer Darryl LeClair unveiled bold plans for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. But no one from the Rays ever approached LeClair, who is close to giving up on his dream of building a mixed-use stadium and office park.

› Crist gets another boost with public money [AP]
Former Gov. Charlie Crist is getting some help for his challenge to incumbent Gov. Rick Scott. And it's coming from Florida taxpayers. Crist on Friday received more than $474,000 when he received his second check of public matching funds.

›Disney reaches tentative contract agreement for part-time workers [Orlando Sentinel]
Walt Disney World reached a tentative contract agreement Friday evening for part-time workers represented by its largest union group. The agreement mirrors one reached two weeks ago for full-timers covered by the Service Trades Council.

› Hemp helps build a house in Tarpon Springs, likely first in Florida [Tampa Bay Times]
On a red-brick street near the Pinellas Trail south of Dodecanese Boulevard, Bob Clayton has built what is believed to be Florida's first — and America's fourth — house constructed of hempcrete.