Things To Do In SW Florida

By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week, indicating a still-healthy U.S. labor market.

U.S. jobless claims filings fell by 2,000 to 220,000 for the week ending March 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s fewer than the 226,000 new applications analysts forecast.

It’s not clear when job cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency will show up in the weekly layoffs report, though some analysts expect them to surface in data in the coming weeks.

Those layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Senior U.S. officials set the government downsizing in motion weeks ago via a memo dramatically expanding President Donald Trump’s efforts to scale back the workforce. Thousands of probationary employees have already been fired, and now the Republican administration is turning its attention to career officials with civil service protection. read more

Q: I live in a great condo community, but recently we have experienced raccoons getting inside the engine blocks and causing severe damage to our vehicles. This includes biting into the wiring system, fluid lines and hood insulation. When we approached the association, they were dismissive and said, “it’s out of our hands.” What options do we have? — Evelio

A: Generally, wildlife removal falls on individual homeowners rather than the community association, unless the governing documents direct otherwise.

Your first step is to review your community’s documents to see if this is a specific responsibility of your association. If they do not mention the subject, it is the responsibility of the individual owners.

However, the issue is happening in the parking lot, which is part of the community’s common elements, so the answer is a bit less clear.

Your association is responsible for maintaining the parking lot and grounds, so it has some responsibility as the property owner, even if it did not as the association. read more

Spirit Airlines said Wednesday it formally has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings “with significantly less debt and greater financial flexibility” after the South Florida-based carrier rejected multiple takeover bids by rival Frontier Airlines in favor of pursuing its own recovery plan.

“We’re pleased to complete our streamlined restructuring and emerge in a stronger financial position to continue our transformation and investments in the Guest experience,” Ted Christie, CEO and president, said in a statement. “Throughout this process, we’ve continued to make meaningful progress enhancing our product offerings, while also focusing on returning to profitability and positioning our airline for long-term success. Today, we’re moving forward with our strategy to redefine low-fare travel with our new, high-value travel options.”

Christie said he will continue to lead the airline with the support of its existing executive group. Spirit is headquartered in Dania Beach and remains one of the predominant carriers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The company, which hadn’t earned a net profit since before the COVID-19 pandemic, filed for Chapter 11 last December in the face of heavy debt obligations and an eroding customer base. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, Associated Press

Steel and aluminum are ubiquitous in Americans’ lives. A stainless steel refrigerator holds aluminum soda cans. A stainless steel drum tumbles inside an aluminum washing machine. They’re the metals used in cars and airplanes, phones and frying pans, skyscrapers and zippers.

That’s why President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports — which went into effect Wednesday — could have widespread impact on manufacturers and consumers.

Here are some of the industries and products that rely on aluminum and steel:

Construction

The construction industry uses about one-third of all U.S. steel shipments, more than any other industry, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. The industry depends on a global supply chain to build everything from airports to schools to roads, according to Associated Builders and Contractors, a trade group with more than 23,000 members.

The group says some contractors were able to lock in prices on steel or aluminum ahead of the tariffs. But if they are prolonged, the import taxes will ultimately raise prices at a time when the construction industry is already struggling with higher costs for labor and materials. And uncertainty around the tariffs will make it less likely that companies will commit to big building projects, the group said. read more

SeaWorld Orlando’s next big ride will have an arctic theme, flying sensations, no artificial intelligence and go by the name Expedition Odyssey when it opens this spring.

The attraction’s name was revealed during a hard-hat tour of the construction site for members of the media Wednesday.

Expedition Odyssey will be a “flying theater” type of ride with seated passengers dangling in front of a curved screen that’s 50 feet in diameter. The images they’ll see will feature animals from the Arctic that were filmed during three two-week excursions spread over a year.

“We wanted to make sure that we truly captured everything that this incredible atmosphere has to offer,” said Conner Carr, corporate manager of rides and engineering for United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld’s parent company.

It won’t be a computer-generated experience.

“Everything that guests will see during the ride experience is 100% real,” Carr said. “All of the animals, all of the landscapes, all of the adventure is truly real.” read more