Things To Do In SW Florida

Earlier this week United Launch Alliance announced its president and CEO for nearly 12 years, Tory Bruno, was stepping down to pursue a different opportunity.

The opportunity was revealed Friday as Bruno was named president for competitor Blue Origin’s newly formed National Security Group, reporting to Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp.

“We share a deep belief in supporting our nation with the best technology we can build,” Limp posted on X. “Tory brings unmatched experience, and I’m confident he’ll accelerate our ability to deliver on that mission. Glad to have you with us.”

Bruno, who joined ULA in 2014, said he was excited to be part of his new team.

“We are going to bring important, innovative, and urgently needed capabilities to our nation. Can’t wait to get started.” he posted.

Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos and flies suborbital missions from Texas on its New Shepard rocket, but this year finally got its heavy-lift orbital New Glenn rocket to space as well from Florida. read more

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, Associated Press Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics. read more

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed slightly lower on Friday in a quiet day of trading as investors returned from the Christmas holiday.

The S&P 500 index fell 2.11 points, less than 0.1%, to close at 6,929.94, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.19 points, also less than 0.1%, to 48,710.97 and the Nasdaq composite fell 20.21 points, or 0.1%, to 23,593.10.

Institutional investors are largely closed out of their positions for the year, so trading was extremely light. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange was roughly half of an average day.

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Sure, the newspaper informed. But as it fades, those who used it for other things must adjust, too

After leaving ULA, Tory Bruno heads to Blue Origin

More thrifting and fewer returns, the early trends that defined shopping this holiday

For young people in debt, bankruptcy seems like a get out of jail free card. Is it? read more

By Katie Kelton, CCC, Bankrate.com

When Whitney Catalano filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2022, she was self-employed, living in an apartment she couldn’t afford and carrying $60,000 in credit card and personal loan debt. For her, bankruptcy looked like freedom.

Related Articles

• 
  In 2025, Disney’s Golden Oak again leads the way for Orlando’s luxury home market

• 
  Sure, the newspaper informed. But as it fades, those who used it for other things must adjust, too

• 
  After leaving ULA, Tory Bruno heads to Blue Origin

• 
  More thrifting and fewer returns, the early trends that defined shopping this holiday

• 
  Stocks close slightly lower in quiet post-Christmas trading

“I felt very overwhelmed by money,” she says. “I wanted to clear myself of this chapter and really restart from a clean slate.”

Catalano is one voice in a chorus of TikTok accounts lauding bankruptcy. It goes something like this: People in their 20s and 30s film their stories of filing for bankruptcy, calling it the best decision they ever made. Or in modern meme talk: “‘You look happier.’ Thanks, I filed for bankruptcy.” read more

Q: I live in a homeowners’ association, and I decorated my house and yard for the holidays. They made me take it down under threat of a fine. Are they allowed to do this? – Gunther

A: Living in a community association means following a set of rules and regulations you agreed to when you purchased your home. These rules often govern how you decorate your home and yard, even during the holidays.

While it is frustrating to be told to take down your holiday decorations, your association likely has the authority to enforce such rules, depending on your community’s governing documents.

Your first step is to review your association’s governing documents, which typically include the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, bylaws, and any rules or guidelines. These documents outline what is and is not allowed in your neighborhood, including rules on holiday decorations.

Some HOAs have specific restrictions on the type, size, or timing of decorations, while others may prohibit certain displays altogether. read more