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Could SB 180 void Osceola’s sky-high mobility fees? Maybe

Could SB 180 void Osceola’s sky-high mobility fees? Maybe

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As Orange County contends with a lawsuit over its voter-approved rural boundaries, its neighbor to the south could face a similar legal battle — but over very different turf.

Developers and homebuilders in Osceola County are weighing a challenge to the county’s sky-high “mobility fees” under Senate Bill 180, according to a report in GrowthSpotter. That’s the sweeping state hurricane recovery law that is being interpreted to void any new land use regulations more restrictive or burdensome” for development.

Both Osceola and St. Cloud declared “extraordinary circumstances” last September when they approved development fees that more than doubled the rate for new homes and many commercial uses, with the money to be spent on transportation improvements.

Osceola County’s mobility and school impact fees are now the highest in the state. And if the 2024 fee increases are nullified, it could cost the city and county millions of dollars earmarked for transportation improvements.

But they’re not the only jurisdictions in Central Florida that could be vulnerable to a legal challenge of their impact fees under SB 180. Earlier this year, Tavares and Haines City also raised their municipal and transportation impact charges. read more

New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Destiny floated out at shipyard

New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Destiny floated out at shipyard

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Disney Cruise Line hit another milestone Saturday ahead of the Florida debut of its newest ship Disney Destiny.

The third Wish-class vessel set to begin sailing this fall from Port Everglades was floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany into the harbor out from under the massive building where it has been taking shape since November 2023.

“Hero Minnie greeted the heroes and villains-themed ship as it inched aft-first out of the yard, led by Spider-Man and his Spider Bots on the stern,” according to a press release from the cruise line.

The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the... The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the harbor at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line) The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the... The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the harbor at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line) The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the... The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the harbor at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

1 of 3 The Disney Destiny cruise ship is floated out into the harbor at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

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The 144,000-gross-ton vessel was led by tugboat stern-first through the building’s narrow doorway with just three feet of clearance on either side of the vessel.

The ship will feature multiple Marvel-inspired spaces, including a statue of Black Panther’s T’Challa, king of Wakanda, in the Grand Hall; an entertainment parlor themed to “Doctor Strange”; and the latest iteration of the World of Marvel restaurant. read more

FPL rate hike case may be headed for settlement. Battle tied to bills of millions of Floridians.

FPL rate hike case may be headed for settlement. Battle tied to bills of millions of Floridians.

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Florida Power & Light, along with several groups representing business interests, have proposed settling the utility’s historic rate case, which would bring an end to a battle that affects the electric bills of roughly 12 million Floridians.

In a filing posted late Friday afternoon, Florida Power & Light notified regulators that it has reached an agreement with several of the groups involved in its rate case. The list of those groups included many business interests — such as a federation of retail companies, Walmart, gas stations and industrial companies — but did not include the state-appointed consumer advocate or other groups that represent residents.

If approved by regulators, the filing would allow Florida Power & Light to suspend the progress of the case, which was scheduled to begin two weeks of continuous public hearings Monday.

Those hearings can lead to internal company documents becoming part of the public record and company executives having to answer hours of questions on the witness stand. read more

Your junk could be Gen Z’s treasure. How to profit from the resurgence of Y2K fashion

Your junk could be Gen Z’s treasure. How to profit from the resurgence of Y2K fashion

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By NICKY ANDREWS

From Juicy Couture sweat sets and low-rise, bedazzled jeans to chunky belts and baby tees, early 2000s fashion is all the rage again. That potentially makes that old box of clothes in the back of your closet a sitting cash cow.

Generation Z — born from about 1997 to 2012 — has taken to the Y2K aesthetic that many millennials cringe at.

Fashion-forward college students and TikTok influencers are flaunting the miniskirts, chunky sandals and other bright, brand-heavy and borderline tacky items they likely bought secondhand.

Jackson Mangum, a 24-year-old tailor in Eugene, Oregon, said that while he has distanced himself from Y2K and found his own personal style, his wardrobe still has influences of it, including baggy camo shorts, flared jeans and big, funky sunglasses.

“I’m usually not Y2K but I appreciate Y2K style. I think it’s cool,” said Mangum, who showcases his work on his Instagram account, @wornandtornattire.

“The baggy jeans, different pops of pink and the chrome shades — it’s easy to go anywhere and be able to find things that fit into that niche. Throwing it together is easier than throwing together a full vintage outfit.” read more

A climate-friendly home starts with an energy assessment. Here’s how my 100-year-old house did

A climate-friendly home starts with an energy assessment. Here’s how my 100-year-old house did

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By CALEIGH WELLS

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (AP) — A significant share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions comes from heating, cooling and powering homes — about 15%, according to one estimate by the Environmental Protection Agency. So if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, the home is an effective place to start.

There are so many factors involved in a household’s energy consumption, including whether you have gas or electric heat and how you use your kitchen appliances, washer and dryer. It’s often overwhelming to figure out where to begin.

That’s why experts recommend a home energy assessment conducted by a professional. The room-by-room examinations help homeowners determine energy use, discover inefficiencies and create a plan to reduce both. In addition to helping the environment, improving efficiency saves money over the long term.

The assessments typically last several hours and cost anywhere from $100 to more than $1,000. Until the end of the year, the Inflation Reduction Act, a major U.S. climate law passed in 2022, helps cover the cost. Congress recently rescinded many of those benefits, which will be phased out. read more