Things To Do In SW Florida

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, AP Business Writer

Pop Mart has struck it rich. The Chinese company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers said this week that it expects profit for the first six months of this year to jump by at least 350% compared with the prior-year period, largely because of its smash hit plush toy, the Labubu. Pop Mart joins a small list of companies that have tapped into the zeitgeist, drawing in millions of buyers who, for one reason or another, simply must get their hands on a toy or gadget of the moment.

But what makes the Labubu a must-have, or any toy for that matter, is a decades-old question that toy makers have yet to figure out.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular toys over the years.

Cabbage Patch Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids began as chubby-faced dolls with yarn hair that came with adoption papers. During the 1980s the dolls were so popular that parents waited in long lines at stores trying to get a hold of them. More than 90 million Cabbage Patch Kids were sold worldwide during their heyday. read more

While the practical goal of Orlando’s $400 million Camping World Stadium renovation is to increase the seating to 65,000, the expansion gives the city a chance to make an artistic statement in its downtown.

DLR Group lead architect Ryan Freeland said he was inspired by moving water and palm fronds when he created metallic skin that would encircle the stadium. He told members of the city’s Appearance Review Board Thursday that the skin modernizes the stadium and will create a “lampshade” effect at night when illuminated by color-changing LED lights, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

“We’re looking at a series of ways to illuminate the building,” Freeland said.

The lighting package will be programmable, so it can change based on the city holiday, a special event, or team colors.

The project will be funded through Tourist Development Tax revenue, generated by a six percent surcharge on hotel rooms and short-term rentals in Orange County. The city is also seeking a new naming rights partner to replace Camping World, whose contract expired in 2024. read more

By DAVID BAUDER

CBS says its decision to end Stephen Colbert’s late-night comedy show is financial, not political. Yet even with the ample skepticism about that explanation, there’s no denying the economics were not working in Colbert’s favor.

Related Articles

• 
  New York settles lawsuit with ex-aide who accused Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment

• 
  EPA eliminates research and development office, begins layoffs

• 
  Hegseth tells lawmakers about plan to detain immigrants at bases in Indiana and New Jersey

• 
  Trump sues Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over reporting on Epstein ties

• 
  Trump’s attacks on Powell threaten the Fed’s independence. Here’s why it matters

The network’s bombshell announcement late Thursday that the “Late Show” will end next May takes away President Donald Trump’s most prominent TV critic and the most popular entertainment program in its genre.

The television industry’s declining economic health means similar hard calls are already being made with personalities and programming, with others to be faced in the future. For the late-night genre, there are unique factors to consider. read more

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

NEW YORK (AP) — A former chief executive of two clothing technology companies who was once portrayed as an on-the-rise fashion entrepreneur has surrendered to face charges in an indictment unsealed Friday alleging that she cheated investors of over $300 million over the last six years.

Related Articles

• 
  Did money or politics cause Colbert cancellation? Either way, the economics are tough for TV

• 
  The Savings Game: How the Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect your taxes, finances

• 
  New Space Coast HQ to train for space warfare has a new leader

• 
  $1.1B public broadcasting cut will impact WUCF, Central Florida Public Media

• 
  Trump offers regulatory relief for coal, iron ore and chemical industries

Christine Hunsicker, 48, of Lafayette, New Jersey, was charged with six counts, including fraud, aggravated identity theft and false statement charges in the indictment in Manhattan federal court.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a release that Hunsicker forged documents, fabricated audits and made material misrepresentations about her company’s financial condition to defraud investors in CaaStle Inc. and P180. read more

The giant tax and spending bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA, was signed into law by President Trump earlier this month. Given all the haggling and rewriting that went on in the preceding months, you might be wondering what precisely made it into the final law, and what it means for your taxes and finances. I will give a summary below.

Revised deductions for Social Security: Individuals 65 and older who file singly have a total deduction of $23,750 starting in 2025, including the $15,750 standard deduction, the $2,000 existing senior deduction, and a new $6,000 senior deduction. For those married and filing jointly, the total deduction is $46,700, including the $31,500 standard deduction, the $3,200 existing senior deduction, and a new $12,000 senior deduction for couples. These deductions will be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years.

The new deductions will expire after 2028 unless Congress votes to extend them. You can file IRS Form W-4V withholding 7%, 10%, 12% or 22% of your monthly payments if you want to avoid a large tax bill when you file your tax return. read more