Things To Do In SW Florida

A series of proposals aimed at eliminating or reducing non-school homestead property taxes advanced out of a House committee on Thursday, as local-government officials warned about having to decrease services because of potentially billions of dollars in lost revenue.

The Republican-dominated House Select Committee on Property Taxes voted along party lines to back seven proposed constitutional amendments that, if approved during the upcoming legislative session, would go before voters in November 2026. The committee also approved a bill (HB 215) that would require two-thirds votes by local governments to increase tax rates and allow newly married couples to combine accumulated Save Our Homes benefits. That bill would not have to go before voters.

The committee took up proposals that House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, released last month. The proposals came as Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of asking voters in 2026 to slash property taxes — though DeSantis has been critical of the House proposals. read more

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — More swings hit Wall Street on Friday, except the U.S. stock market finished higher this time.

Related Articles

• 
  The Savings Game: When to consider naming a trust as IRA beneficiary

• 
  Mattel dipping toe into water parks, starting with Orlando

• 
  France will investigate Musk’s Grok chatbot after Holocaust denial claims

• 
  ‘Fraggle Rock’ show coming to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

• 
  Florida House moves tax-cut bills forward despite barbs from the left and right

After bobbing up and down through the morning, the S&P 500 took off and rallied nearly 2% before finishing with a gain of 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 493 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9%.

It was a fitting finish for a week that left the S&P 500 just 4.2% below its record but also forced investors to stomach the sharpest hour-to-hour swings since a sell-off in April. The jarring moves are testing investors following a monthslong and remarkably smooth surge for stocks, and they come down to two basic questions, neither of which has been answered yet. read more

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.

Related Articles

• 
  The Savings Game: When to consider naming a trust as IRA beneficiary

• 
  Mattel dipping toe into water parks, starting with Orlando

• 
  France will investigate Musk’s Grok chatbot after Holocaust denial claims

• 
  ‘Fraggle Rock’ show coming to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

• 
  Florida House moves tax-cut bills forward despite barbs from the left and right

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