Things To Do In SW Florida

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

U.S. stocks edged higher in midday trading Wednesday ahead of a highly anticipated earnings update from computer chip giant Nvidia that may provide insights into the current state and future of artificial intelligence.

The S&P 500 was up 0.2%. The benchmark index remains near its record high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 104 points, or 0.2%, as of 12:07 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%.

Gains in technology and financial companies helped outweigh declines in communication services, health care and other sectors.

Investors see Nvidia’s quarterly report, coming after the bell, as a barometer for the strength of the boom in artificial intelligence because the company makes most of the chips that power the technology. Its heavy weighting also gives Nvidia outsized influence as a bellwether for the broader market. Its shares were up 0.1%.

Cracker Barrel shares climbed 8.3% after the restaurant company scrapped plans to change its logo following an uproar on social media that even drew a comment from President Donald Trump. read more

By Daniel Lathrop, NerdWallet

About half of Americans (51%) say they regularly stress out about money, according to an April 2025 NerdWallet survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll.

That stress hits some groups of Americans harder than others. According to the survey, women are more likely to say they stress about money regularly than men (56% vs. 45%), and baby boomers (ages 61-79) are much less likely to stress about money than those in younger generations.

Factors that could be making Americans feel off-kilter include inflation, uncertainty over tariff policy and high housing costs.

If you’re among those regularly stressed out about money, here are six large and small ways to improve your financial well-being.

1. Keep tabs on where your money is going

How much are your core monthly expenses? What is your discretionary income? How much money did you spend last month? Many Americans may not know the answers to these questions, which can make understanding their finances challenging. Facing your finances may be difficult if they’re a source of stress for you, but having a realistic view of your money is an essential first step to making improvements. read more

By BERNARD CONDON, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has a message for critics who think turning the U.S. government into a major stockholder of Intel is a “socialist” move: More is coming.

“I will make deals like that for our Country all day long,” the president posted on Truth Social after critics piled on, adding later about future ownership stakes, “I want to try and get as much as I can.”

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One possible target: defense contractors, whom Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC Tuesday were ripe for the picking given the U.S. government is a big customer. read more

Only one Central Florida restaurant shut down the week of Aug. 17-23, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Osceola

Fire Up the Grill at 5403 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee shut down on Aug. 18. Inspectors found six violations, three of which were high priorities for not having potable running water, raw food not separated from ready-to-eat food and food being held at the wrong temperatures. A second inspection occurred the same day. There were three violations, two of which were high priorities. The restaurant fixed the potable running issue, but received time extensions on the other two violations. The restaurant met inspection standards.

Complaints and warnings

Orange County had the top spot for most warnings and other complaints in Central Florida, with 29.

Volusia had eight, Brevard had eight, Lake had seven, Seminole had four and Osceola had three.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press Business Writer

Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.

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In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.”

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.” read more