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NASA cut a deal with the Trump administration that may stave off sweeping layoffs seen across other federal agencies but still will see about 900 fewer employees through a buyout plan, the agency said.

A statement released Thursday by NASA said about 5% of its roughly 18,000 employees accepted an offer to leave from President Trump’s Deferred Resignation Program.

In addition to losing employees to that voluntary buyout program, many other federal agencies have also been instructed to fire all of their probationary employees. But NASA apparently will be spared that fate, potentially saving hundreds of jobs.

Instead the space agency’s probationary employees will be evaluated based on merit and allowed to enter the resignation program voluntarily, which only a small number have so far, the agency said.

CNN quoted sources estimating that 1,300 of NASA’s employees are probationary.

The deal was made by working with the Office of Personnel Management, which has been heading up rounds of layoffs across the federal government. read more

Universal Destinations & Experiences has unveiled the franchises it will utilize at the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Texas. Universal Orlando fans will feel some familiar vibes as the mini-theme park’s lands will showcase environments based on Minions, Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls, Gabby’s Dollhouse, SpongeBob SquarePants and Jurassic World.

Universal Kids Resort, set to open next year in Frisco, Texas, was designed for families with young children.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring these iconic stories to life for kids and families to experience, interact with and play together,” Sarah Gibbon, vice president and executive producer for Universal Creative, said in a corporate news release.

Details about the park’s shows and attractions have not been shared, but Friday’s news release covered some of its atmospheres. Visitors may visit the Minions in a water-based vacation retreat or SpongeBob’s underwater neighborhood. There will be a music festival setting for Trolls and a swampy playground with Shrek. read more

Gov. Ron DeSantis is reshaping a state board that will play a big role in Central Florida’s theme park future, installing a new chairwoman and two new board members on the panel overseeing government services for Walt Disney World.

The state’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight District  is working with Disney on a development plan expected to bring a $17 billion investment to the region in the next 10 to 20 years.

Alexis Yarbrough, chairwoman of the Broward College District Board of Trustees, has been tapped to lead the district’s Board of Supervisors.

DeSantis also appointed two Orlando businessmen — John Gilbert, executive managing director at Stream Realty Partners, and Scott Workman, president and CEO of Workman Travel.

The two remaining board members are Clearwater attorney Brian Aungst Jr. and Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder whose term expires Wednesday.

Ziegler and the governor’s office did not respond to messages Thursday seeking clarification on her status. read more

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in January as rising mortgage rates and prices put off many would-be homebuyers despite a wider selection of properties on the market.

Sales fell 4.9% last month from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.08 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.

Sales rose 2% compared with January last year, marking the fourth straight annual increase. The latest home sales, however, fell short of the 4.11 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 19th consecutive month. The national median sales price rose 4.8% in January from a year earlier to $396,900.

“Mortgage rates have refused to budge for several months despite multiple rounds of short-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “When combined with elevated home prices, housing affordability remains a major challenge.” read more

Spirit Airlines, citing “broad support” from a “supermajority” of its leading bondholders, said Thursday its reorganization plan has been approved by a federal bankruptcy court in New York, paving the way for its exit from Chapter 11 “in the coming weeks.”

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane said he would back Spirit’s restructuring plan, which gives control of the Dania Beach-based discount carrier to a bondholder group that includes Citadel Advisors, controlled by billionaire hedge fund operator Kenneth C. Griffin, Pacific Investment Management Co. and Western Asset Management Co., court records show.

“Today’s approval is a major milestone as we progress toward the successful conclusion of our in-court process,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and chief executive officer in a statement. “We will emerge as a stronger airline with the financial flexibility to continue providing Guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value. Throughout this process, we’ve had virtually unanimous support from our bondholders, who recognize Spirit’s value and potential. As we move forward, our leadership team remains focused on reducing costs while also advancing our strategic initiatives to transform our Guest experience and position Spirit for success.” read more