Things To Do In SW Florida

By AAMER MADHANI

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he’s levying tariffs of 30% against the European Union and Mexico starting Aug. 1, a move that could cause massive upheaval between the United States and two of its biggest trade partners.

Trump detailed the planned tariffs in letters posted to his social media account. They are part of an announcement blitz by Trump of new tariffs aimed at allies and foes alike, a bedrock of his 2024 campaign that he said would set the foundation for reviving a U.S. economy that he claims has been ripped off by other nations for decades.

In his letter to Mexico’s leader, President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump acknowledged that the country has been helpful in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl into the United States. But he said the country has not done enough to stop North America from turning into a “Narco-Trafficking Playground.”

“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough,” Trump added. read more

BRIDGEWATER, New Jersey (AP) — Trump announces 30% tariffs against EU, Mexico to begin August 1.

State-owned Citizens Insurance has sharply increased the number of cases it sends to a special alternative dispute court, but plaintiffs attorneys say it’s unfair because it deprives policyholders of the right to have their cases heard by a jury.

A South Florida Sun Sentinel review of cases handled since early 2024 found that Citizens policyholders are likely to lose if their dispute is sent to this special court, which is run by the state Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH).

And policyholders who need Citizens to insure their homes have no way of avoiding the unique policy terms that allow their cases to be transferred to DOAH.

Records show that Citizens won 47 of 51 DOAH cases that advanced to a final hearing prior to July 10.

Citizens’ board of governors has approved paying $19.3 million to fund the program through 2027 and the company is increasingly relying on DOAH to settle claims disputes. Through July 10, Citizens has sent more than 1,000 cases to the court, compared to about 350 cases sent during all of 2024. read more

After naming the future performing arts center in NeoCity as a top priority, Osceola Commissioners are moving to issue $125 million in bonds backed by the county’s Tourist Development Tax to make the project a reality.

But County Manager Don Fisher said the county will have to embark on a capital campaign to finance the project, which will be the centerpiece of the long-awaited NeoCity city center.

“We estimate that it’s about a $225 million project,” Fisher told GrowthSpotter. “That includes the promenade and surface parking, but it does not include parking garages. We’ve got some cash reserves as well, but there needs to be a (capital) campaign — bringing in partners to see who wants to work with us.”

The county will seek a naming rights deal and seek contributions from donors and philanthropic organizations following last month’s vote on the bonds. Fisher said Kathy Ramsberger, CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, has “been helping us along the way.” read more

MERRITT ISLAND — The nation’s spaceports can now take advantage of tax-free bonds for the first time after Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” last week, and the Space Coast looks to benefit.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody on Friday detailed what it means for Florida from the headquarters of Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority,

“This will apply to all spaceports, but we know that this one is the busiest and the most important,” she said of the nearby Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. “After we got this passed, we have already heard from private business entities that want to get in, that want to help, that want to be a part of the growth right here at space on the Space Coast.”

The state officially has three designated spaceports. KSC and CCSFS make up one known as Cape Canaveral Spaceport, while in nearby Titusville is the Space Coast Regional Airport and Spaceport and in Jacksonville is the Cecil Spaceport. The state also has potential future spaceports from the Panhandle to the Keys. read more