Things To Do In SW Florida

By Eliza Haverstock, NerdWallet

Wildfires have burned at least 12,000 homes, buildings and other structures in Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s latest estimates. If the L.A. wildfires have displaced or otherwise impacted you, you may qualify for natural disaster financial relief — including relief from student loan bills.

Borrowers with federal student loans who live in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated disaster ZIP codes can pause their student loan payments for up to 90 days with a natural disaster forbearance. There are additional relief options for private student loan borrowers, current college students and federal borrowers who live outside of a FEMA-designated area.

Here’s how to get student loan help if the L.A. wildfires or other natural disasters have impacted you.

If you have federal student loans

Monitor your email and student loan accounts

Make sure you have email communications enabled in your federal student loan servicer account and studentaid.gov account, in case you can’t access regular mail. read more

The Hall of Presidents has been around ever since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. But it’s one of those attractions that people tend to pop into once during each administration, probably to check out the latest animatronic representing the leader of the free world.

The attraction is shutting down for refurbishment. Sunday is the final day with posted hours, and Monday is Inauguration Day when Donald Trump will take the oath of office again. It is expected to reopen later in 2025, Disney says.

Before the Hall takes a break, let’s see what might have been forgotten.

Remembering real life

Before entering the theater, there is presidential memorabilia on display, usually everyday items such as Barack Obama’s basketball and George W. Bush’s Texas Ranger jacket. Also behind glass are the fly-fishing boots that belonged to Jimmy Carter and a notation about where he had fished, including Alaska, Honduras, Argentina, Venezuela, Russia and Mongolia.

Epcot’s arts festival to spotlight Broadway exhibit

Carter is one of the nine portraits hanging in the rotunda-like pre-show space, along with his successor, Ronald Reagan, the two most recent officeholders. read more

By PHILIP MARCELO

NEW YORK (AP) — American Express has agreed to pay more than $138 million to resolve a wire fraud investigation related to its sales and marketing practices, federal authorities announced Thursday.

Hospitality

Landen Thompson was appointed bar manager at Park Avenue Tavern, Winter Park.

Courtney Stratemeyer was appointed event sales manager at Park Avenue Tavern, Winter Park.

Law

Frank L. Madia was promoted to special counsel at Marshall Dennehey, Orlando office.

Real estate

Nathan Eissler was appointed executive vice president in the Central Florida office of JLL.

Tom Suminski was hired as senior managing director of development for Aventon Companies. He will be based in Orlando.

Other

Daniel Zeegers was hired as development manager in Brevard County for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

By Kevin Hardy, Stateline.org

The minimum wage will increase in nearly half the states this year even as the federal wage floor remains stuck at $7.25 per hour.