Things To Do In SW Florida

Disney Cruise Line has delayed the launch of one of two ships it had planned to debut later this year, citing “unexpected delays” in the shipbuilding process.

The Disney Adventure, which was expected to sail out of Singapore for the first time in December, will now celebrate its maiden voyage on March 10, 2026. All voyages scheduled from Dec. 15-March 12, 2026, will be canceled and effected guests will have options to rebook at a future date.

Disney Destiny, though, is still set to sail on time with its debut from Port Everglades in November.

“As we work on the final touches to bring the Disney Adventure to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process,” said Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, in an emailed statement. “To ensure the experience we deliver reflects our commitment to excellence, we’ve made the decision to adjust our timeline. We know this may be disappointing to our guests, and we’re working directly with them to offer flexible rebooking options and uphold the trust they place in us.” read more

At a budget meeting packed with residents, Seminole commissioners this week gave preliminary approval to hike the county’s overall property tax rate for the first time in 16 years.

The new proposed rate of $5.38 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value would be a 10.2% increase from the current rate of $4.38. That means the owner of a home with a taxable value of $300,000 would see a jump of nearly $150 in their property tax bill next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.

Commissioners will cast a final vote on the new tax rate Sept. 23.

Wednesday’s 4-to-1 vote on the tax increase comes after commissioners agreed last month to add five cents to the price of a gallon of gas sold in the county, and hike the county’s public service tax on water and electric bills in the unincorporated areas from the current 4% to 10% starting Jan. 1.

Commissioners voted in front of dozens of residents. Some opposed the tax, complaining Seminole had a “spending problem” and that officials could find ways to cut the county’s budget. Others backed the hike and praised the public services their tax money supports. read more

Forty percent of baby boomers fear they will outlive their retirement savings. Several recent studies suggest they are right to worry.

Seniors in 41 states are projected to have more expenses than income during their golden years, putting them at risk for outliving their retirement savings, according to a new study by Seniorly, an assisted living online marketplace. The amount they’re missing, on average, over the course of their retirement years: $115,000.

In California, the gap between projected income and expenses for retirees is far higher: $337,000.

Along with the Golden State, three other states — New York, Hawaii and Alaska — have the nation’s highest retirement gaps, where people’s income likely can’t keep up with expenses. That’s no surprise: All are places with high costs of living.

But states with a lower cost of living didn’t necessarily mean a better financial situation for their seniors, in this analysis. Mississippi, for example, is second the cheapest to live, according to Seniorly’s findings, but it ranks No. 12 for a retirement gap. Its retirees need $162,000 in retirement savings to match their expenses over the course of retirement. That is almost $50,000 larger than the national average gap. West Virginia and Alabama are in a similar position, with some of the nation’s lowest costs during retirement, but savings so low they create a gap. read more

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s record-setting run keeps rolling, and stocks are rising Thursday after a mixed set of U.S. data kept the path clear for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in order to boost the economy.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and was on track to set an all-time high for a third straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 593 points, or 1.3%, as of 12:18 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.7% higher. Both are also heading toward records.

Treasury yields eased in the bond market following the economic reports, which were some of the final data releases left that could sway the Federal Reserve’s thinking before its meeting next week. The unanimous expectation on Wall Street is that it will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year.

One of Thursday’s reports said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the number of layoffs could be rising. It’s the latest discouraging signal on the job market, where hiring has slowed substantially. The labor market had seemed to be settling into a low-hire, low-fire state, but an increase in layoffs could put it in an even tighter vise. read more

By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another grim sign for the U.S. labor market, jobless claim applications jumped to their highest level in almost four years last week, virtually assuring the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate next week.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the week ending Sept. 6 rose by 27,000 to 263,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s the most applications since the week of Oct. 23, 2021 and well above the 231,000 new applications economists forecast. It’s also the biggest week-to-week increase in almost a year.

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  Seminole gives early nod to raising taxes for first time in years

Most analysts were already forecasting an interest rate cut after Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled as much at a conference of central bankers three weeks ago. However, another report Thursday showing that consumer inflation remains elevated could complicate the Fed’s dual mandate of keeping prices in check while supporting a healthy labor market. read more