Things To Do In SW Florida

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

The Campbell’s Co. said Monday it saw stronger sales of broth and condensed soup in its latest quarter as more Americans cooked their meals at home.

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“Consumers continue to cook at home and focus their spending on products that help them stretch their food budgets, and they’re increasingly intentional about their discretionary snack purchases,” Campbell’s President and CEO Mick Beekhuizen said during a conference call with investors.

Beekhuizen said Campbell’s saw the highest level of meals cooked at home since early 2020 in its fiscal third quarter, which ended April 27. Campbell’s noted sales of its broths rose 15% during the quarter while sales of its Rao’s pasta sauces were up 2%. read more

After years of steady increases and record highs, federal student loan interest rates will finally soften this summer — making college slightly more affordable for student borrowers in the upcoming academic year.

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Here are the new 2025-26 federal student loan interest rates, according to a May 30 Education Department announcement, compared to 2024-25 rates:

• Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans for undergraduate students: 6.39%, down from 6.53%.
• Direct unsubsidized loans for graduate students: 7.94%, down from 8.08%.
• PLUS loans, available to parents and grad students to fill funding gaps: 8.94%, down from 9.08%.

This rate change becomes effective July 1, and it only affects students who take out new federal loans for the 2025-26 academic year. If you’re already repaying a federal student loan, your interest rate won’t change — it’s fixed based on when you originally borrowed. read more

Retail discount behemoth Walmart is moving to solidify its position as a preferred shopping oasis for price-conscious Floridians, recently unveiling a new round of statewide store makeovers at 34 locations, including several in Central Florida.

The national chain, based in Bentonville, Ark., says it is “re-imagining the in-store shopping experience” with bigger signs, better showcasing of merchandise, expanded departments, expanded online pickup and delivery services, and pharmacies with “new private screening rooms and privacy checkout areas” for immunizations, consultations and testing.

Nationally, the makeover program is not new. The company says it has spent $1.6 billion on upgrades across the country since 2023. The program includes the construction of new stores, although there are more stores undergoing remodelings in Florida than construction of new ones.

One retail analyst indicated Walmart is effectively padding its investment in Florida’s growth story, which took off during the COVID-19 pandemic as large numbers of people abandoned urban centers in the Northeast and Midwest. At more than 23 million people, Florida has parlayed its business-friendly, low-tax environment to become the nation’s third most populous state behind California and Texas. read more

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China criticized the U.S. on Monday over moves it alleged harmed Chinese interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and planning to revoke Chinese student visas.

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“These practices seriously violate the consensus,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement, referring to a China-U.S. joint statement in which the United States and China agreed to slash their massive recent tariffs, restarting stalled trade between the world’s two biggest economies. read more

After 1,826 restaurant inspections across Central Florida in May, only 236 had no issues for the entire month, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Brevard had the highest percentage of restaurants with zero violations during routine food inspections at 23.4%. Orange came in second with 15.3%, Seminole came third at 12.4% and Volusia was in fourth place with 10.5%.

Lake and Osceola ranked near the bottom with 9.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

Orange County had the most restaurants with no violations at 123. Brevard and Volusia tied with 30, Seminole with 22, Osceola with 19 and Lake with 12.

BREVARD

Anna’s Vegan Plate, 3200 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay
Beyond the Booch, 63 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach
Chela Grill and Restaurant, 1391 Clearlake Road, Unit 6, Cocoa
Chuck E. Cheeses 699, 2250 Coastal Lane, West Melbourne
Dat-B-Good Foods / BBQ LLC, 8803 North Atlantic Ave., Cape Canaveral
Del’s Freez, 402 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne
Dunkin’ Donuts, 1 Air Terminal Parkway, Suite 110, Melbourne
Express Cafe & More, 425 North Dr., Melbourne
Harbor City Golf Course, 2750 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne
Hibachi, Sushi, Ramen, Bento, Boba Tea, 700 E. Merritt Island Causeway
#3, Merritt Island
Merrittmall02, 778 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island
New China, 2035 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
Oceanside Pizza, 605 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
Oyster Shooter’s Raw Bar & Grill, 916 Florida Ave., Suite D, Cocoa
Papa Joe’s Catering of Central Florida/Ryan’s Pizza, 405 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa
Quick Bites Caribbean Delights, 160 Malabar Road, Palm Bay
Rita’s Ice of Central Florida, 160 Malabar Road Sw113, Palm Bay
Route 7 Karting and Entertainment, 1 Aar Way, Suite 102, Rockledge
Sprengergarten – Tavern, 2835 Eber Road, West Melbourne
Sprengergarten – Ballroom, 2835 Eber Road, West Melbourne
Subway 25830, 3120 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
Summit Diner, LLC, 8530 US Highway 1, No 7, Micco
Sushi Mori, 1105 Palm Bay Road, Unit F, Palm Bay
Texas Roadhouse, 1181 Malabar Road, Palm Bay
The Burger Inn, 1819 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne
The Tap Room, 1 Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne
Tiki Bar, 1 Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne
Udder Delite, 3280 Suntree Blvd., Suite 105, Melbourne
Umpa’s Diner, 1115 N. Courtney Parkway, Merritt Island
Wonder Waffel, 2263 W. New Haven Ave., Unit 2263, Melbourne read more