Things To Do In SW Florida

Walt Disney World has revealed the opening date and some menu items for GEO-82, the adults-only lounge that will operate from inside Epcot’s Spaceship Earth.  The space will debut for the public on June 4, the company announced Monday.

Aside from the food and beverage, a talking point of GEO-82 will be view of the theme park’s World Celebration Gardens and potential landing spot for Luminous: The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular. The resort is offering an add-on “fireworks experience” as part of the Enchanting Extras Collection, which also launches June 4.  Reservations are required for GEO-82, and they will start being accepted May 6.

Among the food items on the menu will be cannellini hummus, funghi flatbread, jumbo lump crab gateau, truffled ahi tuna and a chef’s selection of cheeses and meats.

Featured cocktails on the menu include brown butter old fashioned, caramelized leek martini, high brow batanga, strawberry-black pepper sour, banana brulee highball, a select bourbon flight exclusive to Disney and more.  There will also be beer, wine and zero-proof cocktails available. read more

Hyunmin Kim, Margaret Giles of Morningstar

A 529 college savings plan can be a powerful tool when saving for future education expenses because investments in the plan can increase tax-free, but many savers don’t take full advantage of all the benefits that 529 plans have to offer.

Related Articles

• 
  Rollins College president speaks out against Trump higher-ed attacks

• 
  DeSantis halts UF’s search for liberal arts dean amid conservative backlash

• 
  19 states sue Trump administration over push to end diversity programs in public schools

• 
  ICE is reversing the termination of legal status for international students around the US

• 
  Texas lawmakers approve $1B private school voucher plan

One common deterrent to investing through a 529 plan is the concern that assets in a 529 account will reduce financial aid eligibility. While it’s true that 529 assets have an impact on financial aid, the effect is likely smaller than you think.

Do 529 plans affect financial aid?

The short answer is yes. An increase in the means to fund higher education naturally means the beneficiary is eligible for less need-based aid. read more

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — After retreating from their workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs, tech companies could now face a second reckoning over their DEI work in AI products.

In the White House and the Republican-led Congress, “woke AI” has replaced harmful algorithmic discrimination as a problem that needs fixing. Past efforts to “advance equity” in AI development and curb the production of “harmful and biased outputs” are a target of investigation, according to subpoenas sent to Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and 10 other tech companies last month by the House Judiciary Committee.

And the standard-setting branch of the U.S. Commerce Department has deleted mentions of AI fairness, safety and “responsible AI” in its appeal for collaboration with outside researchers. It is instead instructing scientists to focus on “reducing ideological bias” in a way that will “enable human flourishing and economic competitiveness,” according to a copy of the document obtained by The Associated Press. read more

By ELAINE KURTENBACH

China’s leaders are downplaying the potential impact from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, saying they have the capacity to protect jobs and limit damage from higher tariffs on Chinese exports.

Related Articles

• 
  Tech stocks weigh on Wall Street at the start of a week full of potential swings

• 
  Why Trump’s call for the Fed to cut interest rates may not help consumers

• 
  Trump keeps contradicting himself on tariffs, making a fragile world economy nervous

• 
  Big Tech carries Wall Street to the close of its winning, roller-coaster week

• 
  Trade war and leery travelers have airlines trimming flights and withdrawing financial guidance

The briefing Monday by several senior officials of different government ministries appeared aimed at shoring up confidence with promises of support for companies and the unemployed, easier lending conditions and other policies to counter the impact of combined tariffs of up to 145% on U.S. imports from China. read more

United Parks & Resorts, parent company of SeaWorld Orlando theme park, is looking to fill more than 5,000 jobs across the country.  It is planning a “summer hiring event” for May 5-9, the company announced Monday.

“The summer season is right around the corner, and we have a great line-up of new rides and attractions, presentations and shows, exclusive experiences offers and craveable food and beverage options for our guests to enjoy,” Marc Swanson, CEO of Orlando-based United Parks, said in a news release.

There are full-time, part-time and season positions in the mix, including jobs at SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica water park, Discovery Cove day resort and United corporate offices in Orlando and Miami.

Among the openings currently posted at careers.seaworldparks.com are bartenders, lifeguards, ride operators, merchandise warehouse workers,  zoological specialists and corporate tax director. There are so-very SeaWorld sounding jobs including divers, coral rescue aquarists, filtration mechanics and cabana service ambassadors, although some postings have been up for more than 30 days. read more