Things To Do In SW Florida

NEW YORK (AP) — About 3.6 million hoses are under recall across the U.S. because hundreds have burst while being used, resulting in at least 29 injuries, including reports of temporarily impaired hearing.

Related Articles

• 
  Today in History: July 25, Tuskegee Syphilis Study exposed

• 
  Federal regulators approve Paramount’s $8 billion deal with Skydance, capping months of turmoil

• 
  Mexican national married to a Marine Corps veteran seeks release from immigration custody

• 
  Judge orders Wisconsin school shooter’s father to stand trial on charges he allowed access to guns

• 
  Poll finds Casey DeSantis, Byron Donalds tied. Likely Republican governor primary voters favoring Donalds

The recall covers a range of HydroTech-branded, 5/8-inch “Expandable Burst-Proof Hoses” that were sold at major retailers — including, Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot and Target — for garden, lawn care, car washing and other uses between January 2021 and April 2025.

The company said the hoses can burst if the interior, plastic strain relief “breaks or becomes fully unthreaded.” read more

By MATT OTT

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirmed that they are in “advanced” merger talks that would create a single U.S railroad with service stretching from the East to the West Coast.

Related Articles

• 
  Light reading: A watching guide for new Disney Starlight parade

• 
  Shaq shines in role as ‘Chief Fun Officer’ at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Bahamas resort

• 
  Federal regulators approve Paramount’s $8 billion deal with Skydance, capping months of turmoil

• 
  Millions of HydroTech hoses recalled after hundreds burst, leaving at least 29 people injured

• 
  Winners, losers, movers: Highlights of US auto sales six months in

The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a tie-up but neither company acknowledged that until Thursday morning.

The potential merger would combine the largest and smallest of the country’s six major freight railroads.

Independent railroad analyst Tony Hatch said that the disclosure by the railroads suggests that negotiations are further along than previously thought. read more

By Henry Payne, The Detroit News

There’s never a dull moment in the U.S. market as automakers hustle to divine consumer trends, navigate federal regulations, juggle tariff-driven plant production, and dodge activist Molotov cocktails.

Related Articles

• 
  Light reading: A watching guide for new Disney Starlight parade

• 
  Shaq shines in role as ‘Chief Fun Officer’ at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Bahamas resort

• 
  Federal regulators approve Paramount’s $8 billion deal with Skydance, capping months of turmoil

• 
  Millions of HydroTech hoses recalled after hundreds burst, leaving at least 29 people injured

• 
  Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern confirm merger talks to create coast to coast railroad

The first six months of 2025 saw robust sales on track for an annual 16.3 million in unit sales as gas prices dropped and tariffs rose. America’s love affair with trucks and SUVs continued with sales making up 82% of the light vehicle market. Just 10 years ago, cars made up 43% of the market. This year? Just 18%. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Central Florida Health and Rehab Clinic LLC doing business as Smooth Body Contours, 453 N. Kirkman Road, Suite 104, Orlando. Filed: July 10. Assets: $3,200,000. Liabilities: $7,163,269. Major creditors: Raymond F. Caron P.A., Kissimmee, $2,000,000; Breakout Capital LLC, McLean, Va., $245,000; Oakwood, Toms River, N.J., $90,000. Creditors meeting: Aug. 19.

Solutions Tax Services LLC, 2473 Cedar Rose St., Apopka. Filed: July 10. Assets: $2,500. Liabilities: $5,310,384. Major creditors: Newtek Small Business, New Hyde Park, N.Y., $4,028,270; U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C., $564,546; Breakout Capital, McLean, Va., $245,000. Creditors meeting: Aug. 21.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Crosskix LLC, 242 Bridge Creek Blvd., Ocoee. Filed: July 11. Assets: $100,001-$500,000. Liabilities: $100,001-$500,000. Major creditors: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Chicago, $173,000; Chase, Wilmington, Del., $25,554; Chase, Wilmington, Del., $17,004. Creditors meeting: Aug. 11. read more

By ALEX VEIGA

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage eased this week, offering little relief for prospective homebuyers facing record-high home prices.

Related Articles

• 
  Ask a real estate pro: How do I convince ‘unreasonable’ neighbor to fix plants that are wrecking my fence?

• 
  US home sales fade in June as prices soar to record levels

• 
  Magnificent Queen Anne Victorian on Orlando’s Honeymoon Row hits the market

• 
  Long-conservative Seminole votes to raise taxes for first time in 16 years

• 
  Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trump’s urging, but there’s a risk

The long-term rate slipped to 6.74% from 6.75% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.78%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also eased. The average rate dropped to 5.87% from 5.92% last week. A year ago, it was 6.07%, Freddie Mac said.

Elevated mortgage rates have been weighing on the U.S. housing market, which has been in a sales slump going back to 2022, when rates started to climb from the rock-bottom lows they reached during the pandemic. read more