Things To Do In SW Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate in February ticked up for the second consecutive month, but a state official said it’s “too early” to link any increase to ongoing federal job cuts.

The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday said the unemployment rate increased from 3.5 percent in January to 3.6 percent in February. Florida had a 3.4 percent jobless rate in December.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in February at 3.2 percent.

Among other regions, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin areas held steady at 3.6 percent — second-lowest rate in the state. The Tallahassee, Naples-Marco Island, Jacksonville and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater areas were at 3.8 percent.

The Villages and Wildwood area had the highest rate at 6.8 percent, followed by the Homosassa Springs area at 5.7 percent and the Sebring area at 5.5 percent.

The February rate reflected an estimated 398,000 Floridians qualified as out of work from a labor force of 11.196 million. The number of unemployed people and the labor force each increased by about 8,000 people in February, according to a Department of Commerce report. read more

By CORA LEWIS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — If you know or suspect you can’t pay the taxes you owe this tax season, you should still file a return with that information or file for an extension. That’s the top piece of advice that tax professionals want you to know.

“The IRS wants to work with you,” said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals. “But if you’re asking the IRS for some help, they have to know something about you. So the first thing is to have that return filed. The number one takeaway is that owing money is not a reason not to file.”

If you don’t file a return or ask for an extension, then interest and penalties begin to accrue immediately. Those costs are largely avoidable if you share the information about your circumstances with the IRS in a timely way. Filing a return without paying taxes owed in full is preferable to not filing.

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By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Noted economist Arthur Laffer warns in a new analysis that President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on auto imports could add $4,711 to the cost of a vehicle and says the proposed taxes could weaken the ability of U.S. automakers to compete with their foreign counterparts.

In the 21-page analysis obtained by The Associated Press, Laffer, whom Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 for his contributions to economics, says the auto industry would be in a better position if the Republican president preserved the supply chain rules with Canada and Mexico from his own 2019 USMCA trade pact.

The White House has temporarily exempted auto and parts imports under the USMCA from the tariffs starting on April 3 so that the Trump administration can put together a process for taxing non-U.S. content in vehicles and parts that fall under the agreement.

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Universal Orlando has opened its second hotel in the vicinity of its Epic Universe theme park. Terra Luna welcomed its first paying customers this week.

The new resort is a fraternal twin with Stella Nova, which opened in January. Both have 750 guest rooms, a shiny, tiled exterior and an interplanetary vibe. The two hotels are side-by-side along Universal Boulevard, divided by Kirkman Road, just south of Epic. Terra Luna is the westernmost of the duo.

Terra Luna’s rooms also sleep four guests in two queen-sized beds and have curved windows inspired by space stations. Some rooms face toward the new theme park, which is scheduled to open May 22.

Amenities include Omega Cafe and Market for meals, Luna Bar in the lobby and the Moonrise Grill and Moonrise Bar at poolside. Terra Luna also features a fitness center, game room, outdoor hot tub and fire pit plus a Universal Orlando Resort Store inside.

Terra Luna and Stella Nova are co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels. The third Epic hotel, dubbed Helios Grand, will have 500 rooms and be located immediately adjacent to the theme park with a dedicated entrance to the attraction. It is scheduled to open with Epic Universe in late May. That will bring Universal’s on-property room count to 11,000 guest rooms spread over 11 hotels. read more

Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is the pool at the hotel. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is a guest room at the hotel. (Courtesy Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is the Luna Bar at the hotel. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is the lobby of the hotel. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is the Moonrise Bar at the hotel. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. Pictured is the cafe and market seating at the hotel. (Universal Orlando) Universal Terra Luna Resort is now open at Universal Orlando resort. (Courtesy Universal Orlando)