2015 might bring high-stakes testing reform to Florida

After a year that saw parents rise up against standardized testing, Florida lawmakers say they are prepared to improve the state’s assessment program. While it is unlikely lawmakers that can make any changes before the testing cycle begins in the spring, they intend to act quickly, Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Don Gaetz said. More from the Tampa Bay Times, WFSU, and Clay Today.

See also:
» Why are some parents opting kids out of Florida testing?
» Florida group drafts anti-Common Core bill

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Feds offer help for younger, first-time homebuyers

President Barack Obama moved Wednesday to make it cheaper for first-time and younger buyers to take out a mortgage. The reduction is expected to save the typical first-time homebuyer an average of $900 a year on the insurance, the White House said. [Source: McClatchy]

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Pip insurance could continue to receive green light

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is hoping lawmakers will have more patience with a 2012 law meant to curb fraud in Florida’s “no fault” auto insurance system. He may get his wish, as legislators don’t appear ready to change the system just yet. More from CBS Miami and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Commentary: The biggest problem American business is facing in 2015

As 2015 progresses, an improving U.S. economy should buoy markets and provide hope for the business sector. However, before we pop the champagne, it is worth remembering that the past year has also been a turbulent one. Economic inequality continues to widen and worker strikes, once rare, are now increasing in frequency. [Source: TIME]

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New rules put healthier snacks in schools

Goodbye to sodas, potato chips, candy bars and sugary sports drinks sold in Florida schools. Nutrition standards put into effect on Nov. 1 removed a lot of the less-healthy food from vending machines, snack bars and stores in the schools. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Big Brothers Big Sisters move to Tampa may draw other organizations [Tampa Bay Times]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which will move its national headquarters to Tampa, is the city's latest economic development win. It's also a new kind of win, economic development officials said.
» See also: Big Brothers Big Sisters relocates from Dallas to Tampa

› Stein Mart named nation's best department store [Florida Times-Union]
Stein Mart is the best department store chain in the country, according to readers of USA Today. The Jacksonville-based chain currently has 270 stores. Nordstrom, the high-end chain that opened its first Northeast Florida store last year, came in second.

› EA fails to get Madden NFL lawsuit tossed [Orlando Sentinel]
Madden NFL, a video game that is designed in the Orlando suburb of Maitland, is caught up in a lawsuit between former NFL players and gaming company Electronic Arts.

› 'Shark Tank' auditions coming to Miami [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ABC-TV's "Shark Tank" show, where entrepreneurs pitch their companies to multimillionaire investors, will audition potential show participants Jan. 15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Carvel seeks franchisees for South Florida expansion [South Florida Business Journal]
Carvel, an 80-year-old ice cream brand, is seeking out franchisees to develop full-service and express stores in the South Florida, Orlando and Tampa markets.

› SMH system hires new COO [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Sarasota Memorial Health Care System on Wednesday announced it has hired a senior health care executive from Maryland to be its chief operating officer.

› Will rising sea levels dampen investor appetite? [GlobeSt.com]
The sea level rise from global climate changes threatens to double damages from flooding in low-lying coastal areas over the next two decades. That, of course, will expose insurers, lenders and property owners exposed to more risk than they’d like to take on.

› Plantation apartment development site sold for 143% gain [South Florida Business Journal]
A partnership including Stiles Corp. sold an apartment development site in Plantation at a 143 percent premium to its price from six months earlier.