Things To Do In SW Florida

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal regulators on Thursday approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance, clearing the way to close a deal that combined Hollywood glitz with political intrigue.

The stamp of approval from the Federal Communications Commission comes after months of turmoil revolving around President Donald Trump’s legal battle with “60 Minutes,” the crown jewel of Paramount-owned broadcast network CBS. With the specter of the Trump administration potentially blocking the hard-fought deal with Skydance, Paramount earlier this month agreed to pay a $16 million settlement with the president.

Critics of the settlement lambasted it as a veiled bribe to appease Trump, amid rising alarm over editorial independence overall. Further outrage also emerged after CBS said it was canceling Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” just days after the comedian sharply criticized the parent company’s settlement on air. Paramount cited financial reasons, but big names both within and outside the company have questioned those motives. read more

NEW YORK (AP) — About 3.6 million hoses are under recall across the U.S. because hundreds have burst while being used, resulting in at least 29 injuries, including reports of temporarily impaired hearing.

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The recall covers a range of HydroTech-branded, 5/8-inch “Expandable Burst-Proof Hoses” that were sold at major retailers — including, Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot and Target — for garden, lawn care, car washing and other uses between January 2021 and April 2025.

The company said the hoses can burst if the interior, plastic strain relief “breaks or becomes fully unthreaded.” read more

By MATT OTT

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed that they are in “advanced” merger talks that would create a single U.S railroad with service stretching from the East to the West Coast.

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The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a tie-up but neither company acknowledged that until Thursday morning.

The potential merger would combine the largest and smallest of the country’s six major freight railroads.

Independent railroad analyst Tony Hatch said that the disclosure by the railroads suggests that negotiations are further along than previously thought. read more

By Henry Payne, The Detroit News

There’s never a dull moment in the U.S. market as automakers hustle to divine consumer trends, navigate federal regulations, juggle tariff-driven plant production, and dodge activist Molotov cocktails.

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The first six months of 2025 saw robust sales on track for an annual 16.3 million in unit sales as gas prices dropped and tariffs rose. America’s love affair with trucks and SUVs continued with sales making up 82% of the light vehicle market. Just 10 years ago, cars made up 43% of the market. This year? Just 18%. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Central Florida Health and Rehab Clinic LLC doing business as Smooth Body Contours, 453 N. Kirkman Road, Suite 104, Orlando. Filed: July 10. Assets: $3,200,000. Liabilities: $7,163,269. Major creditors: Raymond F. Caron P.A., Kissimmee, $2,000,000; Breakout Capital LLC, McLean, Va., $245,000; Oakwood, Toms River, N.J., $90,000. Creditors meeting: Aug. 19.

Solutions Tax Services LLC, 2473 Cedar Rose St., Apopka. Filed: July 10. Assets: $2,500. Liabilities: $5,310,384. Major creditors: Newtek Small Business, New Hyde Park, N.Y., $4,028,270; U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C., $564,546; Breakout Capital, McLean, Va., $245,000. Creditors meeting: Aug. 21.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Crosskix LLC, 242 Bridge Creek Blvd., Ocoee. Filed: July 11. Assets: $100,001-$500,000. Liabilities: $100,001-$500,000. Major creditors: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Chicago, $173,000; Chase, Wilmington, Del., $25,554; Chase, Wilmington, Del., $17,004. Creditors meeting: Aug. 11. read more