Things To Do In SW Florida

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has left the building, and while President Trump’s nominee awaits a confirmation hearing, the head of Kennedy Space Center will keep things afloat.

Nelson, who flew to space on board Space Shuttle Columbia while a member of the House of Representatives, later served in the U.S. Senate for Florida. He was nominated by President Biden and confirmed as the agency’s 14th administrator. His likely replacement is billionaire Jared Isaacman, who flew twice to space partnering up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Until Isaacman is confirmed, though, KSC Director Janet Petro was named interim administrator as Trump took office, becoming the first woman to ever lead the agency, even if temporarily. NASA’s Associate Administrator Jim Free was notably passed over for the role, even though he is the lead civil employee.

My letter to the next NASA Administrator: pic.twitter.com/NCgIqQ7olH

— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) January 21, 2025

Just how NASA’s leadership structure may change under Isaacman’s potential confirmation remains to be seen, but Nelson in a farewell letter to whoever gets the job highlights the benefits of an agency that crosses party lines for support. read more

Spirit Airlines lenders have committed another $300 million in financing for the Dania Beach-based airline — money intended to fuel the discount carrier’s operations after it departs from bankruptcy court.

The airline “has secured a commitment from certain of its prepetition debtholders” to lend more money for working capital and “other corporate needs of the company” after it exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, management said in a filing late last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The commitments came as Spirit put the finishing touches on a cost-cutting program that has resulted in workforce cutbacks that affect several hundred pilots and 200 support workers. After the furloughs of 186 cockpit crew members last September, some 330 pilots are scheduled to leave Jan. 31. Another 120 are scheduled for demotions.

Under heavy financial and competitive pressures, Spirit filed a pre-arranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in New York last November as it sought to reduce debt, slash costs and reorganize its business. The company says it intends to exit bankruptcy proceedings at some point toward the end of March. read more

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, again will be among the speakers at SXSW, the entertainment conference out of Austin, Texas.

His topic — presented alongside Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergan and other unannounced guests — is “The Future of World-Building at Disney.” They will “show the convergence of imagination, innovation and the future of experiential storytelling,” according to a listing provided by SXSW.

D’Amaro memorably spoke at SXSW in 2023, when he revealed a retractable lightsaber and proclaimed it to be “real.” This was during the brief Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser era.

Disney’s 12 theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Consumer Products are among the company divisions that fall under the leadership of D’Amaro. He previously was president of Walt Disney World.

Discover Disney ticket returns with theme park discounts for Florida residents

SXSW is scheduled for March 7-15. Keynote speakers will be John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame and Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky social media platform. A precise schedule has not been released. read more

By Courtney Frazer, Bankrate.com (TNS)

Food costs represent a significant portion of household budgets, and rising grocery prices make strategic shopping essential. While cutting back isn’t the only solution, smartphone apps can provide substantial grocery savings through cash-back rewards, digital coupons, discounts and loyalty programs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to 10 effective food savings apps for both grocery shopping and dining out.

Top food savings apps

1. Ibotta

Ibotta is one of the most popular cash back apps available. It’s known for offering cash-back rewards on everyday purchases at major retailers. The app allows users to select offers before shopping and earn rewards by scanning receipts afterward.

Its browser extension enables cash back on online grocery purchases, and partnerships with retailers provide exclusive deals on essential household items.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Multiple redemption options, including PayPal and gift cards
• Wide acceptance at major retailers
• Bonus rewards for reaching specific goals, such as trying new products or completing a certain number of offers in a month

Cons

• Requires pre-selecting offers
• The cash-out minimum takes time to reach
• The interface can be overwhelming with numerous offers

2. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards allows users to earn points on any receipt from grocery stores, pharmacies and even gas stations, making it a versatile option for shoppers. read more