Things To Do In SW Florida

By CORA LEWIS and ADRIANA MORGA (Associated Press Writers)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rate yet again in its drive to cool inflation, a move that will directly affect most Americans.

On Wednesday, the central bank boosted its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to 5.1%. Rates on credit cards, mortgages and auto loans, which have been surging since the Fed began raising rates last year, all stand to rise even more. The result will be more burdensome loan costs for both consumers and businesses.

On the other hand, many banks are now offering higher rates on savings accounts, giving savers the opportunity to earn more interest.

Economists worry, though, that the Fed’s streak of 10 rate hikes since March 2022 could eventually cause the economy to slow too much and cause a recession.

Here’s what to know:

WHAT’S PROMPTING THE RATE INCREASES?

The short answer: inflation. Inflation has been slowing in recent months, but it’s still high. Measured over a year earlier, consumer prices were up 5% in March, down sharply from February’s 6% year-over-year increase. read more

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved the Tyre Sampson Act, two bills that will close gaps in ride safety laws but shield records in active ride accident investigations from public view.

The legislation filed by State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, is named for the St. Louis teen who fatally fell from the Orlando Free Fall drop tower on March 24, 2022. It will take effect July 1 if signed into law as expected.

Its approval is largely a relief for 14-year-old Tyre’s family, who have urged legislators to strengthen Florida’s ride safety laws since his death.

Tyre’s mother, Nekia Dodd, said Wednesday that her “number one goal … is to make sure this horrific tragedy never repeats itself.”

“I do not want any mother to go through what I have endured over the past year,” she said in a statement. “I want to thank the Florida Legislature, Senator Thompson and Representative [LaVon] Bracy [Davis] for passing the Tyre Sampson Bill. I urge Florida’s Governor to sign this bill, which will make all amusement rides safer for children.” read more

Two great hammerhead sharks are now living at SeaWorld Orlando’s Shark Encounter attraction, and they are visible to theme-park guests.

The young male sharks, named Dutch and Dillon, were transferred from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in a collaborative effort to protect endangered species. Dutch arrived in Orlando in November, followed by Dillon in April.

“These are our first great hammerhead sharks and we are thrilled to have these extraordinary animals join our population at SeaWorld Orlando,” Jim Kinsler, curator of aquariums at SeaWorld Orlando, said in a news release. “It is our privilege to provide care for this critically endangered species and to bring greater awareness and understanding of this shark to the tens of millions of guests that visit us every year.”

The young sharks currently are about 7 feet long and weigh about 120 pounds. They are expected to reach between 10 and 15 feet in length, eventually. The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine hammerhead shark species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists great hammerhead sharks as critically endangered. Their large dorsal fins makes them valuable on the shark-fin market, a threat to all shark species, SeaWorld says. read more