Things To Do In SW Florida

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep on the lights and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data — a warning sign for the U.S. economy and another political headache for President Donald Trump.

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Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period. read more

With the arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ new ship, Celebrity Xcel, Port Everglades is loaded up with new hardware for the winter sailing season.

It joined Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, Disney Destiny, and Princess Cruises’ new Star Princess to sail out of the Fort Lauderdale port.

The arrivals mark a major jump for the state’s third busiest cruise port behind PortMiami and Port Canaveral, which saw it already approach 5 million passenger movements in the last fiscal year.

The port in the last few years has revamped parking and added refurbished terminals, including becoming the second Florida home for Disney, and landing its newest ship this year.

The port will also soon open the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, adjacent to the Broward County Convention Center, and has already opened a new roadway that takes people directly from U.S. 1 to the convention center parking area, avoiding the traffic of SE 17th St. or the port security checkpoints.

“Cruising is more popular than ever, and the cruise lines are exceeding guest expectations every time a new ship comes into the marketplace,” said Port Everglades CEO and port director Joseph Morris in a news release. “The new ships that are coming to Port Everglades have more entertainment and dining options, and offer some of the latest technology with greener fuels and impressive connectivity.” read more

By STEVE PEOPLES

NEW YORK (AP) — Almost two weeks after Republicans lost badly in elections in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, many GOP leaders insist there is no problem with the party’s policies, its message or President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Trump says Democrats and the media are misleading voters who are concerned about high costs and the economy. Republican officials aiming to avoid another defeat in next fall’s midterms are encouraging candidates to embrace the president fully and talk more about his accomplishments.

Those are the major takeaways from a series of private conversations, briefings and official talking points involving major Republican decision-makers across Washington, including inside the White House, after their party’s losses Nov. 4. Their assessment highlights the extent to which the fate of the Republican Party is tied to Trump, a term-limited president who insists the economy under his watch has never been stronger.

That’s even as an increasing number of voters report a different reality in their lives. read more

When Orange County commissioners approved $5.16 million in cultural-tourism grants at the end of October, it was a rare bright spot in an autumn of uncertainty for Central Florida’s arts organizations.

Local cultural leaders have cast a wary eye on Tallahassee, where the state’s support of arts and culture — for years an established process with rigorous vetting that ran like clockwork — now generates more questions than revenue.

To wit, it’s unclear how 24 cultural groups were chosen to receive $1.5 million that the legislator who pushed the funding intended for a much larger pool of organizations. The process for awarding $1 million in the state’s America 250 grants to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial — grants that ended up mostly bypassing arts organizations — is equally obscure.

And now the funding process for the next legislative session, which begins in January, has been halted while Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Department of State tries to rewrite the rules to favor artistic expression that aligns with the Republican-led government’s values  — even though similar revisions were previously rejected by legislators. read more

Oceania Cruises is back in Florida with its newest ship, once again leaning heavily into a gastronomic pedigree.

The Oceania Allura arrived at its winter home of PortMiami this week for a christening event featuring a unique approach for what would normally be a godmother.

Instead of a specific celebrity chef, the line has instead partnered up with Food & Wine magazine, giving its Best New Chefs franchise the ceremonial role.

It’s appropriate for the premium line under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, with the 1,200-guest Allura touting the “finest cuisine at sea” across 12 culinary venues.

For the christening, the honor still needed warm bodies, and to represent the franchise, the line and magazine called on alumni recipients of the award. They included Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes and Lawrence “LT” Smith.

“Paying homage to the Food & Wine Best New Chefs program and having its alumni represent as her godparents reflects our belief that food lies at the heart of global exploration,” said Jason Montague, the line’s chief luxury officer. “These visionary chefs embody the spirit of culinary excellence, and we are honored to have them join the Oceania Cruises family.” read more