Things To Do In SW Florida

Developers of the Westcourt Sports + Entertainment District in downtown Orlando are aiming for a spring groundbreaking after the city’s Appearance Review Board blessed the project last week.

Scheduled to open in early 2027, the project will serve as the home of the Orlando Magic, a luxury Kimpton hotel, housing, a Live Nation entertainment venue and retail space. Machete Group is co-developing the Westcourt district with  JMA Ventures.

The developers had initially announced plans to start construction in late 2024 but had to get approval this month for a community development district — a special legal designation that will assist in financing $66 million of infrastructure — and an ARB certificate first before final permits could be issued, GrowthSpotter reported.

“We’re really excited to be here today. This is another big step in our process, ”  JMA Principal Michael McManus said at the Thursday review board meeting. “Our plans, our drawings, are being packaged up for pricing this week in the market with our contractor. Our hope is that we would be in a position to break ground sometime in the spring. Lot of activities need to fall into place to make that happen. But we are here, we are fully committed.” read more

By SALLY HO

On the eve of his inauguration, President Donald Trump said an executive order suspending a nationwide ban on TikTok would be among his first official acts. The social media platform and app’s ardent users waited Monday evening to learn if he would follow through and if so, what the order might say.

By JOSH BOAK, MATTHEW DALY and PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he expects to put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on Feb. 1, while declining to flesh out his plans for taxing Chinese imports.

Trump made the announcement in response to reporters’ questions while signing executive actions in the Oval Office on his first day back in the White House.

Trump threatened tariffs of as much as 60% on China during his campaign, but appeared to temper his plans after a phone call last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said Monday there would be more discussions with his counterpart in the world’s second largest economy.

“We’re going to have meetings and calls with President Xi,” Trump said.

Trump is placing a big bet that his executive actions can cut energy prices and tame inflation and that the tariffs will strengthen the economy instead of exposing consumers to higher prices. But it’s unclear whether his orders will be enough to foster the growing economy with lower prices that he promised voters. read more