Things To Do In SW Florida

By Lauren Schwahn, NerdWallet

Think about all of the people on your holiday gift list. Now, think about how much all those gifts are going to cost you. Are you starting to sweat a little bit?

If gift shopping feels like a bigger financial burden this year, you’re not alone.

A recent NerdWallet survey finds that holiday shoppers plan to spend $182 more than last year on presents, on average.

Chalk it up to “giftflation.”

What is giftflation?

“Giftflation” refers to the rising cost of gift giving, fueled by inflation and the growing pressure to give.

Why gift givers are feeling extra strain

Shoppers are getting a strong dose of sticker shock this year.

Sweeping tariffs have hit popular gift categories, such as apparel, household goods and appliances. It’s no surprise that many holiday shoppers (74%) expect tariffs to impact their holiday shopping, according to the NerdWallet survey.

It’s not just gifts that are getting more expensive. Inflation is also driving up the price of food, energy, transportation and other essentials, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. read more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE, Associated Press Technology Writer

Google will confront the U.S. government’s latest attempt to topple its internet empire in federal court on Friday as a judge considers how to prevent the abusive tactics that culminated in parts of its digital ad network being branded as an illegal monopoly.

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The courtroom showdown in Alexandria, Virginia, will pit lawyers from Google and the U.S. Department of Justice against each other in closing proceedings focused on the complex technology that distributes millions of digital ads across the internet each day.

After a lengthy trial last year, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in April that pieces of Google’s ad technology had been rigged in a way that made it an illegal monopoly. That set up another 11-day trial earlier this fall to help Brinkema determine how to remedy its anti-competitive practices. read more

Whether by land or by sea, Disney has a way of bringing its signature magic to its guests — and the experience on board the Disney Destiny is no different. Passengers sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship can step into the story of heroes and villains through immersive entertainment throughout the voyage.

It starts immediately upon embarkation when guests arrive inside the Black Panther-themed Great Hall and find Minnie Mouse wearing her new hero outfit, waving from a balcony. It’s this same space that hosts regular stage shows and character interactions, transforming with colors (like Maleficent green) and lights based on the time of day and tone of the encounter.

While Disney magic and storytelling is the through line for dining, entertainment and physical spaces on board the cruise line’s third Wish-class vessel, the goal is to provide enough options for guests to choose their own adventure — including spaces for adults only.

“I think for the guest that ends up taking their first Disney Cruise, you may be compelled by the destinations. You may be compelled by the Disney element that you want to see,” said Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences. “You may be compelled by just wanting to get away from things and taking your own track. It doesn’t matter what compels you to be here; you’re going to discover something special just for you.” read more

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE

Fears about the artificial intelligence boom turning into an overblown bubble have diminished for now, thanks to a stellar earnings report from Nvidia that illustrated why its indispensable chips transformed it into the world’s most valuable company.

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But that doesn’t mean the specter of an AI bubble won’t return in the months and years ahead as Big Tech gears up to spend trillions of dollars more on a technology the industry’s leaders believe will determine the winners and losers during the next wave of innovation.

For now, at least, Nvidia has eased worries that the AI craze propelling the stock market and much of the economy for the past year is on the verge of a massive collapse. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press

Cracker Barrel shareholders voted Thursday to keep company CEO Julie Felss Masino in place despite a debacle over the company’s logo that continues to hurt its sales.

But one of the company’s directors, Gilbert Davila, resigned from Cracker Barrel’s board Thursday after preliminary results indicated that shareholders rejected his reelection.

Davila, who joined Cracker Barrel’s board in 2020, is the president and CEO of DMI Consulting, a multicultural marketing firm. He reviewed Cracker Barrel’s advertising as part of his role on the board. Two influential shareholder advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, had recommended against Davila’s reelection ahead of the vote.

Sardar Biglari, a longtime Cracker Barrel shareholder and activist investor, was among those pressing for the ouster of Masino and Davila. Biglari is the chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings Inc., a San Antonio, Texas-based company that owns Steak ‘n Shake. He also owns 3% of Cracker Barrel’s shares. read more