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In a landmark deal that bids to resolve a long-running dispute, the Orange County School Board and Town of Eatonville have agreed to sell the Hungerford property to Dr. Phillips Charities as part of an ambitious effort to revitalize the historic enclave.

The property spans 117 acres across two parcels and serves as a gateway into the town that was founded during Reconstruction by freed slaves and is recognized as the first self-governing, all-Black municipality in the United States.

The agreement, shared exclusively with GrowthSpotter, is scheduled for a vote during the Sep. 30 school board meeting. It has the full support of Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner, who said the pivotal land transfer would safeguard the community from predatory development and set the stage for a resident-driven vision of inclusive, sustainable growth with affordable housing, educational and cultural opportunities and local businesses that honors the town’s deep cultural legacy.

Ken Robinson, President and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities, said the organization is not seeking to profit from the transaction. He thanked the town and school leaders for trusting the charity to serve as stewards of the historic property. read more

By TOM MURPHY

Five months after ending development of its own obesity treatment, Pfizer is accelerating its push into the rapidly growing field with a nearly $5 billion acquisition.

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The COVID-19 vaccine and treatment maker said Monday that it will pay $47.50 in cash for each share of development-stage drugmaker Metsera. That represents a premium of more than 42% to Metsera’s closing price Friday.

Pfizer also could pay an additional $22.50 per share depending on how Metsera’s product pipeline develops.

Metsera Inc. has no products on the market, but its pipeline includes four programs in clinical development and one in mid-stage testing. Pfizer said the deal will add expertise and potential oral and injectable treatments. read more

By GENE JOHNSON and SALLY HO, Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal trial beginning in Amazon’s hometown this week is set to examine whether the online retailing giant tricked customers into signing up for its Prime service and made it difficult to cancel after they did so.

The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon in U.S. District Court in Seattle two years ago and has alleged more than a decade of legal violations, including of the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, a 2010 law designed to help ensure that people know what they’re being charged for online.

Jury selection began Monday, with opening statements to follow.

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The next set of Walt Disney World ambassadors has been selected, and both members of the duo can trace their journey to the Disney College Program.

Phelicia Blake, who currently is a guest-experience manager at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Kylee Withers, who works in merchandise finance, will be the 2026-2027 ambassadors. They will represent the resort’s 80,000 employees in a range of settings from attraction openings to in-house celebrations.

Withers, who is from Fort Worth, and Blake, a Connecticut native, both had stints with the Disney College Program before becoming full-time cast members at Disney World. Their appointments were announced at a ceremony at Epcot.

Ambassador candidates wade through multiple rounds of interviews.

“It was several rounds over a span of a couple weeks, but we had one final interview – and then, and then the ceremony happened,” Blake said.

“I’ve gone through a number of job interviews before, but the ambassador interview process is hands down the most fun process,” Withers said. read more

By Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Seattle Times

SEATTLE — How much does that morning cup of joe cost? The price may give you a jolt.

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The price of a coffee is no longer under, like, $5,” said Emma Ueda, 27, who lives in Seattle. “It could be a $12 day, just going to a cafe.”

As the hometown of Starbucks and countless coffee shops, Seattle lives up to its reputation as a city that holds java in high regard. But, recently, coffee prices have been on the rise, brewing trouble for businesses, which are already struggling with bitter conditions and cost-sensitive customers. read more