Things To Do In SW Florida

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging a Biden administration decision to block Nippon’s proposed $15 billion acquisition of the Pittsburgh company and said that the head of the Steelworkers union and a rival steelmaker worked together to scuttle the buyout.

In moving to block the transaction Friday, Biden said U.S. companies producing a large amount of steel need to “keep leading the fight on behalf of America’s national interests,” though Japan, where Nippon is based, is a strong ally.

In separate lawsuits filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the steelmakers allege that it was a political decision made by the Biden administration that had no rational legal basis.

“Nippon Steel and U. S. Steel have engaged in good faith with all parties to underscore how the Transaction will enhance, not threaten, United States national security,” the companies said in a prepared statement Monday. read more

TALLAHASSEE — Pointing to Florida’s decades-long fight with deadly citrus greening disease and damage from hurricanes, a major grower Monday announced it will “wind down” citrus operations and focus on more-profitable uses of its land.

Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. said it will not spend additional money on citrus operations after the current crop is harvested. It said about 3,460 acres of its citrus land will be managed by other operators through 2026.

“For over a century, Alico has been proud to be one of Florida’s leading citrus producers and a dedicated steward of its agricultural land, but we must now reluctantly adapt to changing environmental and economic realities,” John Kiernan, Alico’s president and chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement. “Our citrus production has declined approximately 73% over the last 10 years, despite significant investments in land, trees and citrus disease treatments, and the current harvest will likely be lower in volume than the previous season. The impact of Hurricanes Irma in 2017, Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 on our trees, already weakened from years of citrus greening disease, has led Alico to conclude that growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida.” read more

Florida’s preschoolers can get free admission to SeaWorld Orlando theme park and Aquatica Orlando water park for all of 2025. It’s available to the 5-year-old and younger set, but there is a process that must be completed soon.

Registration is made at seaworld.com/orlando, and the deadline to sign up is Feb. 3. The offer is available only online, not at the front gates of the attractions. And Preschool Card holders must visit SeaWorld or Aquatica by Feb. 28. (Valid admission is required for accompanying parents and family members.)

A valid form of ID (a copy of a certified birth certificate or passport) to verify age before entry. School IDs or children security IDs are not accepted, according to SeaWorld’s website. Parents and guardians should have photo IDs with proof of their Florida residential address.

The card remains valid through Dec. 31.

A similar free offer is also available for sister attractions Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island on the Gulf Coast but requires separate registration. read more

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday signed into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees, affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and in other public service jobs.

Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.

The bill rescinds two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset — that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government.

“The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their life to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity — that’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system,” Biden said during a signing ceremony in the White House East Room. read more

Give Kids the World is replacing CEO Pamela Landwirth, the nonprofit organization has announced. She has been leader of the group since 1995.

“Words cannot fully express our gratitude to Pamela for her leadership over these past 30 years,” GKTW Chairman John Nichols said in a news release.

The organization’s mission centers on providing terminally ill children and their families with free vacations based out of Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee. It was founded by Henri Landwirth, who died in 2018 and was the former husband of Pamela Landwirth.

“Pamela has made an indelible impact on the Village as she carried Henri’s vision forward,” Nichols said.

The organization’s board of directors named Jordan Lomas, who joined the board last year, as interim CEO. He had a 17-year career with Darden Restaurants, where he was senior vice president of information technology. He will lead the executive search process.

“Our succession plan is designed to not only maintain the continuity of the Village’s operations, but to also identify an individual who will exceed expectations in service to our most important stakeholders — the children and families who rely on GKTW for a sense of hope and to experience the joy of a dream vacation together,” Nichols said. read more