Things To Do In SW Florida

In honor of National Roller Coaster Day, celebrated annually on Aug. 16, here’s an updated list of the roller coasters currently running in greater Orlando. This year, aficionados have seen the new Epic Universe theme park deliver four new smooth rides to the lineup, but Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida marks its last day of ups and downs on Sunday.

This list is arranged in order of appearance. The Roller Coaster Database is a primary source for the opening dates. Originally, the list was for Orange and Osceola counties, but Polk County is in the mix so as to include Legoland Florida Resort.

It’s fun to look at the historic flurries of coasters, such as the Hulk-Rock ‘n’ Roller-Kraken era. Orlando might be in a golden age right now. The area has had a coaster debut every year since 2016, with the exception of the COVID-19 blip of 2020. And now we have the Epic effect on top of all that.

When a coaster has been revamped without removal, the list has the current name but its original debut there. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — One major question will be front and center for Federal Reserve policymakers as they prepare for an annual conference in Jackson, Wyoming next week and a crucial policy meeting in September: Which is a bigger problem for the economy right now, stubborn inflation or slower hiring?

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Weak job gains since April have pushed some officials toward supporting a cut in the Fed’s key rate as soon as next month, but speeches and comments by other Fed policymakers show that inflation is still a concern.

That could make the Fed’s ultimate move at its September 16-17 meeting a close call. There will be another jobs report and another inflation report before then, and both will likely heavily influence the decision of whether to cut or not. The uncertainty also means that Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech next Friday in Jackson will be closely watched for any clues about next steps. read more

By JOSH FUNK

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Berkshire Hathaway revealed three new investments Thursday in steelmaker Nucor and two of the nation’s biggest homebuilders — Lennar and DR Horton — but none of the investments are big enough to ensure that legendary investor Warren Buffett handled them.

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Buffett, who plans to retire as CEO at the end of the year after six decades of building Berkshire, handles all of the conglomerate’s biggest investments worth $1 billion or more. All three of these new investments disclosed Thursday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission are worth less than that, so they could be the ideas of one of Berkshire’s two other investment managers. read more

By Jeff Green and Jessica Nix, Bloomberg News

Costco Wholesale Corp. has decided not to dispense the abortion pill mifepristone at its more than 500 pharmacy locations, a decision hailed by a group of faith-based activists who urged the retailer to avoid selling the drug.

Costco said in a statement that it hasn’t seen consumer demand for the pill, and had no comment on whether the conservative group had any role in its decision. The religious coalition includes Idaho-based Inspire Investing; conservative activist organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF); and treasurers and other financial officials from states such as Ohio, Texas, Nevada and Utah. Last year, the group had asked the company to not begin selling the medication.

“It’s a very significant win and it’s one we hope to build on this coming year,” said Michael Ross, legal counsel for the corporate engagement team at ADF.

He said the group will now focus on Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health Corp., which dispense mifepristone in pharmacies in states where abortion is legal. Patients in states where abortion is illegal can also get the pills through the mail in states where the procedure is not outlawed. read more

Architecture

Jesse Neuman has joined Stantec as principal in charge of its Orlando themed entertainment team.

Boards of directors

Kristen Gustafson, director of enterprise initiatives and corporate brand at Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., was appointed advisory board chair for Blessings in a Backpack Orlando.

Brynley “Bryn” Thomas, vice president of operations at Cahill Homes, was appointed as an advisory board member for Blessings in a Backpack Orlando.

Education

Leslie Anderson was appointed as the Bruce A. Beal executive director of Rollins Museum of Art at Rollins College, Winter Park.

Public relations read more