Things To Do In SW Florida

The next trip to space for Boeing’s beleaguered Starliner spacecraft won’t have a crew on board after NASA announced changes to the commercial crew contract that also slashes the total number of missions to the International Space Station.

NASA on Monday announced the update to the 2014 contract that originally called for six operational crewed flights to the station after completing both a successful uncrewed and crewed flight test.

Now, the contract reduces that total to four missions, although the remaining two will be available as options.

The move comes after Starliner’s last flight in June 2024, which flew to the station with two NASA astronauts for what was supposed to be as short as an eight-day stay on board.

But issues with its thrusters and helium leaks on its propulsion module led to NASA opting to send the spacecraft home without a crew, who ended up having to remain on board the station and be flown home on a SpaceX Dragon instead nearly 10 months after their arrival.

“After a thorough evaluation, NASA and Boeing have mutually agreed to modify the contract,” NASA posted in a press release. read more

By Tommy Tindall, NerdWallet

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — if being inundated with deals brings you joy.

If not, it can be kind of overwhelming. Officially, Black Friday is Nov. 28. But many sales are already underway.

Some examples: Target has daily deals happening now, and Best Buy is offering “early Black Friday deals,” too. Other retailers are planning for “Black Friday week” with sales starting Nov. 20 or sooner.

Manage the madness without marking up your calendar by simply knowing what a good price is for the items you want to buy.

You can also narrow down your list to the categories most likely to go low. We have some suggestions for you.

Buy: Top toys of the season

Toys make for a top category to get ahead of the Christmas curve. Every kid wants a Nintendo Switch 2, but don’t hold your breath for major markdowns on it. Instead, look for options like these, which are hot toys to grab now, according to website Toy Insider (and not as pricey as a game console).

• Melissa & Doug Sort, Stock, Select Beauty Kiosk Play Set
• Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Rebirth Ultimate Action Chomp T. Rex
• Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset

“A new twist is that toy deals will be dropping earlier this year because people are worried about how tariffs will increase prices,” says Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert who shares budgeting tips on her website. read more

Attendance at IAAPA Expo remains on the uptick. The annual event, which concluded last week at Orange County Convention Center, had 43,840 registered participants for 2025, a new record.

The five days of educational sessions, ride-vehicle reveals and other show floor activities are presented by the Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In June, the group announced plans to expand into the convention center’s West Concourse for the first time in 2026. Previously, it has been staged only within the North and South concourses.

This year, the 550,000-square-foot expo floor was sold out, featuring more than 1,100 exhibitors. Next year’s space will increase by almost 50%.

IAAPA CEO Jakob Wahl talked with the Orlando Sentinel about the event and its future, including next year’s event, which starts Nov. 16, 2026.

Wahl on the trends for 2025

“When you look around, we see the industry evolve further. We see technology being a stronger, vital part of everything that is done here. Technology in back of house, we see that going stronger, also technology enhancing attractions. read more

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rallied on Monday, at the start of a week with shortened trading because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Related Articles

• 
  Tyson’s beef plant closure in Nebraska will impact a reliant town and ranchers nationwide

• 
  Nicklaus Companies files Chapter 11 bankruptcy after $50 million defamation lawsuit loss

• 
  NASA cuts missions for Boeing Starliner contract, next flight will have no crew

• 
  What to buy (and skip) on Black Friday 2025

• 
  IAAPA Expo sets attendance record, looks to 2026 expansion

The S&P 500 climbed 1.5% for one of its best days since the summer and added to its jump from Friday, finding some strength following a shaky few weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 202 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.7%.

Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in December, a move that could boost the economy and investment prices. read more

Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of the century-old Florida chain Winn-Dixie, is gearing up for a major rebrand that involves closing dozens of locations and remodeling several others.

Come January, Southeastern Grocers will become The Winn-Dixie Company.

The firm will sell most of its out-of-state stores to other grocers. This includes 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Chairman and CEO Anthony Hucker told the Tampa Bay Times that the company plans to double down on Florida, opening new locations and improving old ones.

“Our brand is built on deep local routes and authentic connections, and really can’t be replicated by national chains,” said Hucker.

This is his first big test as the company’s leader. Earlier this year, he organized a consortium of investors to buy Southeastern Grocers back from Aldi.

Winn-Dixie has weathered several storms in the past decade. In 2018, Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers filed for bankruptcy, shuttering several Winn-Dixie stores in the process. read more