Things To Do In SW Florida

Florida retailers hope for a boost to summer sales with the start Monday of a back-to-school sales tax “holiday.”

The tax holiday, which will last through Aug. 6, will allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, shoes, school supplies and personal computers. Lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis also approved a second similar holiday that will be held during the first two weeks of January, providing a chance to replenish supplies at the start of the spring semester.

Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley expressed cautious optimism for the upcoming discount period, as “some of our stores have been down a little bit.”

“Hopefully, the back-to-school sales tax holiday will incentivize folks to get out and about and patronize a local retailer,” Shalley said.

National chains such as Office Depot, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Target have already announced back-to-school sales, with some including discount programs for students and teachers.

Deloitte Consulting has warned that strained household budgets and continued high prices after two years of inflation could dampen the back-to-school season. read more

Universal Studios theme park will open a land based on DreamWorks Animation characters in 2024, Universal Orlando announced Thursday. Visitors can expect to see interactive play spaces and attractions based on “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “Shrek,” “Trolls” and “Kung Fu Panda,” the resort said.

The new DreamWorks land will go where a set of KidZone attractions, including Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, operated until January. That area, near the E.T. Adventure ride, has been behind construction walls for months.

Universal Orlando’s website indicates that the land would include meet-and-greet areas. A new name was not revealed for the area.

“As guests step into this new land, their imaginations will run wild as they take in the vibrant colors, sights and sounds that surround them,” a news release said.

Theme Park Rangers Radar: Universal’s Minion app, Messi meal, HHN math

This summer, Universal Studios is opening Minion Land near the entrance of the theme park. Its centerpiece is Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, a moving-target experience, alongside Minion Cafe, stores and a character meeting set-up. Minion Blast’s technical rehearsals started last weekend, though an official opening date was not announced. read more

TALLAHASSEE — While Gov. Ron DeSantis barnstorms the country campaigning for president, a growing chorus of Floridians are urging him to come home to deal with the state’s soaring housing costs and other problems.

On the stump, DeSantis declares he’s managed Florida well and the economy is booming. Any signs that contradict his view, especially rising inflation, he blames on what Republicans call Bidenomics.

“Governor, come home and take care of your state,” state Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, implored during a recent news conference. ”We all know that he’s running for president, but we have real problems, real issues, and the crisis with property insurance.”

DeSantis Watch, a political committee that monitors the governor’s movements and campaign finances, said he spent 60% of June and almost half of July outside the state campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination.

“But Florida’s governor couldn’t care less,” said Natasha Sutherland, DeSantis Watch’s constituencies director. “Floridians deserve a governor who will show up for his job and fix the crises his corporate, donor-driven policies have fueled back home, instead of one worrying about his cratering poll numbers in Iowa or New Hampshire.” read more