Things To Do In SW Florida

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s attorney general on Wednesday sued the parent company of the Zelle payment platform, months after the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau abandoned a similar case as the Trump administration was gutting the agency.

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Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, sued Early Warning Services in New York state court, alleging that the company, which is owned by a group of U.S. banks, had failed to protect users from fraud by not including critical safety features in Zelle’s design.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this year dropped a similar case after President Donald Trump fired the agency’s leader and his administration halted nearly all the bureau’s work, closed its headquarters and moved to fire many of its workers. read more

By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are ticking higher on Wednesday after a rally spurred by hopes for lower U.S. interest rates wrapped around the world.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 364 points, or 0.8%, as of 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was adding 0.3% to its own record set the day before.

Stocks got a lift from easing Treasury yields in the bond market, as expectations reach a virtual consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rates for the first time this year at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, though they risk worsening inflation.

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Amazon expands its perishable delivery service, putting pressure on traditional grocers

Israeli gunfire kills at least 25 in Gaza as Netanyahu says he will allow Palestinians to leave read more

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, Associated Press Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as their batteries, T-shirts and other basic items.

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  Last chance: Goodbye to Universal’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster

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The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 by the end of the year.

The move marks one of the most significant grocery expansions for the online retailer as Amazon introduces thousands of perishable food items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put more pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in early trading Wednesday. read more

Sure, the calendar indicates there are 11 weeks until Halloween. But Florida’s theme parks say it’s about to get spooky in these parts.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the after-hours, extra-ticket event at Magic Kingdom, kicks off Friday night. And while that may seem scary early, demand is here. Five of the first seven Not-So-Scary nights — all in August — are sold out, including opening night.

There’s still time to get tickets and your act together. This one-stop list covers the big Halloween events at Orlando-area theme parks — the when, the where and the howl.

Main Street treats

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights between Aug. 15 and Oct. 31. The event starts after the park closes to regular day guests, and it requires its own admission ticket.

The evenings are filled with returning favorites such as Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade; “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular,” a fireworks and lasers presentation; and “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” a Sanderson Sisters stage show at the foot of Cinderella Castle. read more

It’s almost time for the last dance for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The final chance to board Universal Studios theme park’s 16-year-old roller coaster will be Sunday.

Work on a successor attraction is evident in the space bounded by the Rockit, Universal CityWalk, Hard Rock Cafe and the building that was once home to Blue Man Group. There’s a construction wall, a pile of dirt and somewhat heavy machinery. Universal Orlando has not announced a new attraction yet.

Although rides have a limited life span, there haven’t been too many just plain ol’ removed from Orlando’s parks in the past five decades. There have been maintenance and upgrades along with retheming, such as Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster becoming Trollercoaster. And there have been complete track replacements at Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain and for the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure over the years.

We had to travel, figuratively, down Interstate 4 to come up with a decent list of bygone coasters. At the risk of becoming too sentimental, throw your hands up in the air for these thrill rides of yesteryear. read more