Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair
By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OpenAI Sam Altman ‘not that worried’ about rival Elon Musk’s influence in the Trump administration
By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who is in a legal dispute with rival Elon Musk, said he is “not that worried” about Musk’s influence in the incoming Trump administration.
Altman told a New York Times conference Wednesday that he “may turn out to be wrong” but he strongly believes that Musk will do the right thing.
Billionaire who performed the first private spacewalk is Trump’s pick to lead NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL — A tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to lead NASA.
Jared Isaacman, 41, CEO and founder of a card-processing company, has been a close collaborator with Musk ever since buying his first chartered flight with SpaceX. He took along contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits.
If confirmed, Isaacman will replace Bill Nelson, 82, a former Democratic senator from Florida who was nominated by President Joe Biden. Nelson flew aboard space shuttle Columbia in 1986 – on the flight right before the Challenger disaster — while a congressman.
Isaacman said he was honored to be nominated and would be “grateful to serve.” “Having been fortunate to see our amazing planet from space, I am passionate about America leading the most incredible adventure in human history,” he said via X.
Wild Florida: A Unique Adventure Near Orlando
As a family who loves animals and wildlife interactions, visiting Wild Florida Airboats, Gator Park & Drive-Thru Safari had been on our bucket list for a long time. Located about 45 minutes from Kissimmee and an hour from Orlando, this incredible destination offers an unforgettable mix of adventure, education, and wildlife encounters.
Thanks to the warm welcome from Experience Kissimmee, who helped us plan our day, we were able to explore everything Wild Florida had to offer. From feeding baby alligators and giraffes to meeting adorable capybaras and gliding through the Everglades on an airboat, we had one unforgettable experience after another. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend the day near Orlando, this is the perfect destination.
What to Expect at Wild Florida
Wild Florida is a sprawling wildlife park that offers something for everyone. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Drive-Thru Safari: A 90-minute self-guided tour through a wildlife park with over 150 animals, including giraffes, zebras, elk, and camels.
- Gator Park: A walkable zoo-like area with exotic animals, interactive feeding opportunities, and exciting shows.
- Capybara Encounter: A chance to meet, feed, and interact with the world’s largest rodents in a personal, up-close experience.
- Airboat Rides: Guided tours of the Florida Everglades, with 30-minute and 1-hour options.
- Chomp House Grill: A lakeside restaurant offering burgers, BBQ, and even gator bites.
We spent the entire day at Wild Florida, and I’d recommend setting aside a full day to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace, especially if you’re planning on doing the safari, gator park, and an airboat ride.
What’s new for Medicare in 2025?
By Kate Ashford, NerdWallet
Each year, Medicare comes with a new set of prices, new plan ratings and sometimes new regulations. What you’ll pay may be different from last year, and your network and prescription drug coverage may change, depending on your plan. Here’s how Medicare looks in 2025.
Plan ratings have gone down
The average Medicare Advantage star rating in 2025 is 3.92 out of 5, weighted by enrollment, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is down from an average star rating of 4.07 in 2025 and represents the third year in a row that ratings have declined. Ratings also dropped for Medicare Part D plans, which have an average rating of 3.06 stars in 2025, weighted by enrollment. That’s down from an average of 3.34 stars in 2024.