Things To Do In SW Florida

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that his tariffs could result in fewer and costlier products in the United States, saying American kids might “have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” but he insisted China will suffer more from his trade war.

The Republican president has tried to reassure a nervous country that his tariffs will not provoke a recession, after a new government report showed the U.S. economy shrank during the first three months of the year.

Trump was quick to blame his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, for any setbacks while telling his Cabinet that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business,” adding that the U.S. did not really need imports from the world’s dominant manufacturer.

“You know, somebody said, ‘Oh, the shelves are going to be open,’” Trump continued, offering a hypothetical. “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.” read more

NASA could soon have its new leader after a committee Wednesday advanced President Trump’s nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman to get a confirmation vote by the full Senate.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted 19-9 to allow the two-time space traveler’s nomination to move forward. Isaacman testified before the committee on April 9 and won the support of both committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and the Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington.

The bipartisan support came after Isaacman told the committee that the Artemis missions to the moon would remain a priority despite Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s pushes to refocus on Mars.

Hearing could set up billionaire Isaacman for full Senate vote to lead NASA

“Mr. Isaacman is a successful entrepreneur with a bold, boundary-pushing vision for space exploration. As we heard at his nomination hearing earlier this month, (Isaacman said) ‘NASA was built to do the near impossible.’ I agree, but NASA’s plans for space must remain grounded in reality and align with our strategic interests,” Cruz said during opening comments. read more

Gatorland, the long-standing Orlando animal attraction, has made its Gatorland Global conservation effort an official 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Gatorland Global acts locally and internationally, protecting and rescuing alligators in Florida while also acting outside the U.S. with efforts in nations such as Cuba, Jamaica, Venezuela and Colombia. Formally becoming a not-for-profit allows the group to provide dedicated resources to conservation groups. Gatorland Global was established in 2018.

“Internationally, Gatorland Global supports several research facilities and sanctuaries to conserve critically endangered crocodilians and their dwindling habitats,” Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland, said in a news release. “Globally, we educate people, schools, and communities on the importance of alligators and crocodiles to healthy ecosystems and teach people how to safely live near these dangerous, yet incredible animals.”

Gatorland Global also partners with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and trappers to rescue wild alligators that might be sold for hides and meat otherwise. It has saved more than 100 alligators and relocated them to the attraction, which has been open on Orange Blossom Trail since 1949. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A closely watched inflation gauge cooled last month in a sign that prices were steadily easing before most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs were implemented.

At the same time, consumers accelerated their spending, particularly on cars, likely in an effort to get ahead of the duties.

Wednesday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose just 2.3% in March from a year earlier, down from 2.7% in February. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.6% compared with a year ago, below February’s 3%. Economists track core prices because they typically provide a better read on where inflation is headed.

The slowdown in inflation could be a temporary respite until the widespread duties imposed by Trump begin to push up prices in many categories. Most economists expect inflation to start picking up in the coming months.

“Core inflation will inevitably rebound sharply in the coming months,” Harry Chambers, assistant economist at Capital Economics, said in an email. “Goods prices will rise much more strongly.” read more

Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water park, will abandon its wearable technology called TapuTapu later this year, the company announced Tuesday.

The complimentary wristband devices, used since the park debuted in 2017, have been used to hold reservations — and alert when to get in the physical line — for Krakatau Aqua Coaster, one of the centerpiece rides of Volcano Bay, and to open rental lockers.  The attraction will no longer use TapuTapu as of October 1, according to a Universal Orlando news release.

The change will “allow guests to access attractions queues at their leisure,” the release says.

Universal also announced a multi-month closure for Volcano Bay that will start Oct. 26, 2026.  It said the down time will be used to conduct annual maintenance on several unnamed attractions and areas within the park.  The planned reopening is set for on or before March 24, 2027.

Universal expands Epic Universe previews to general public

“We are working with guests who have purchased tickets to visit Volcano Bay during this timeframe as well as Universal annual and seasonal passholders affected by this update,” the release said. read more