A Florida first: Some new homes to require solar

Anyone building a new house in South Miami — or in some cases renovating existing ones — will have to install solar panels after the city commission approved a groundbreaking law Tuesday night. The measure, the first of its kind in Florida, will go into effect in two months on Sept 18. More from the Miami Herald, PV Magazine, and NBC Miami.

Gulf Coast leaders push for new passenger train service

The possibility of restoring Amtrak service in Pensacola took a step toward reality this week with the release of a report urging Congress to implement daily round-trip Amtrak service between New Orleans and Orlando. In its report sent to Congress on Monday, the Gulf Coast Working Group recommended the installation of the two-way route. It would include at least 12 stops including Pensacola and Tallahassee. "This report makes clear the need to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast and provides a path to get us there," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi released a statement in support of the service. Read more at the Pensacola News Journal and the AP.

Putnam to push for open-carry law in Florida

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a top Republican contender for governor next year, said he would support proposed changes in Florida law to let "law-abiding gun owners" carry firearms on college and university campuses and openly in public places. More from the Tampa Bay Times and First Coast News.

See also:
» Concealed-weapons permits surge in Florida
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Mobile giving platform expands to Florida

Fintech company uBack has launched its charitable giving app in Florida, enabling the state's donors to give to local and national nonprofits. There are nearly 50,000 Florida nonprofits represented on the app, which is free to download. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]

Florida among 5 Southeastern states launching traffic crackdown

Police in five Southeastern states are launching a weeklong program to reduce summertime wrecks and traffic deaths. "Operation Southern Shield" started Monday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. See the news release from the Florida Highway Patrol, here. Also read more at the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami coding school snags $3 million in venture funding for expansion [Miami Herald]
Ironhack, a coding bootcamp in Miami with campuses in Madrid, Barcelona and most recently Paris, received $3 million in financing led by Madrid-based JME Venture Capital.

› Gainesville native launches yoga-alarm clock app [Gainesville Sun]
Imagine waking up to sounds of sweet flute vibrato with rich bass undertones, delicate singing and the voice of a professional yoga instructor giving directions on how to start the day peacefully and more mindful.

› Jacksonville Armada FC officially announce new ownership [First Coast News]
Calling it a "perfect opportunity", Orlando-based real estate businessman Robert Palmer has bought the Jacksonville Armada, the soccer team announced Tuesday.

› St. Pete's 3 Daughters Brewing a finalist for national small business award [Tampa Bay Times]
St. Petersburg's 3 Daughters Brewing is one of 17 national finalists for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Dream Big Small Business of the Year" award. 3 Daughters is the only finalist in Florida. More at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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› Four charged in Orlando tax refund scam [Orlando Sentinel]
Authorities have indicted four Orlando business people in a tax refund fraud ring, seeking criminal forfeiture of over $3 million.

› Owner of Beef 'O'Bradys and The Brass Tap sold to private equity firm [Press Release]
The parent company of Tampa-based Beef 'O' Bradys restaurant chain and the Brass Tap tavern chain has been sold. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

› Florida Senator pitches plan to ease burdensome student debt [News Release]
Meeting with college students and recent graduates dealing with the burden of student debt, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson outlined legislation that would cap rates on federal undergraduate loans at 4 percent and allow the refinancing of older loans at lower rates.

› City of Gainesville and Bob Graham Center Announce 2017-2018 Fellowship Recipients [Graham Center]
The City of Gainesville and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service have chosen four University of Florida students to serve as the inaugural fellows for its joint fellowship opportunity.