Things To Do In SW Florida

Gatorland, the long-standing Orlando animal attraction, has made its Gatorland Global conservation effort an official 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Gatorland Global acts locally and internationally, protecting and rescuing alligators in Florida while also acting outside the U.S. with efforts in nations such as Cuba, Jamaica, Venezuela and Colombia. Formally becoming a not-for-profit allows the group to provide dedicated resources to conservation groups. Gatorland Global was established in 2018.

“Internationally, Gatorland Global supports several research facilities and sanctuaries to conserve critically endangered crocodilians and their dwindling habitats,” Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland, said in a news release. “Globally, we educate people, schools, and communities on the importance of alligators and crocodiles to healthy ecosystems and teach people how to safely live near these dangerous, yet incredible animals.”

Gatorland Global also partners with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and trappers to rescue wild alligators that might be sold for hides and meat otherwise. It has saved more than 100 alligators and relocated them to the attraction, which has been open on Orange Blossom Trail since 1949. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A closely watched inflation gauge cooled last month in a sign that prices were steadily easing before most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs were implemented.

At the same time, consumers accelerated their spending, particularly on cars, likely in an effort to get ahead of the duties.

Wednesday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose just 2.3% in March from a year earlier, down from 2.7% in February. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.6% compared with a year ago, below February’s 3%. Economists track core prices because they typically provide a better read on where inflation is headed.

The slowdown in inflation could be a temporary respite until the widespread duties imposed by Trump begin to push up prices in many categories. Most economists expect inflation to start picking up in the coming months.

“Core inflation will inevitably rebound sharply in the coming months,” Harry Chambers, assistant economist at Capital Economics, said in an email. “Goods prices will rise much more strongly.” read more

Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water park, will abandon its wearable technology called TapuTapu later this year, the company announced Tuesday.

The complimentary wristband devices, used since the park debuted in 2017, have been used to hold reservations — and alert when to get in the physical line — for Krakatau Aqua Coaster, one of the centerpiece rides of Volcano Bay, and to open rental lockers.  The attraction will no longer use TapuTapu as of October 1, according to a Universal Orlando news release.

The change will “allow guests to access attractions queues at their leisure,” the release says.

Universal also announced a multi-month closure for Volcano Bay that will start Oct. 26, 2026.  It said the down time will be used to conduct annual maintenance on several unnamed attractions and areas within the park.  The planned reopening is set for on or before March 24, 2027.

Universal expands Epic Universe previews to general public

“We are working with guests who have purchased tickets to visit Volcano Bay during this timeframe as well as Universal annual and seasonal passholders affected by this update,” the release said. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Kraft Heinz lowered its full-year sales and earnings guidance Tuesday, citing weaker customer spending in the U.S. and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

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  Coca-Cola reports better-than-expected quarterly profit, says it can manage through tariffs

It’s the latest big food company to sound the alarm over trade tensions and weak consumer demand. Last week, PepsiCo lowered its full-year earnings forecast, also citing tariffs. And earlier Tuesday, Coca-Cola noted a pullback in U.S. consumer spending due to economic uncertainty.

Kraft Heinz acknowledged that it’s in a tough spot. It needs to keep prices low to prevent consumers from migrating to cheaper store brands of products like ketchup, mayonnaise and macaroni and cheese. But tariffs – which impact imported ingredients like coffee – will add to its expenses. read more

By JAMIE STENGLE

There’s a new pour from Starbucks: Its first 3D printed store in the U.S.

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The Seattle-based coffee giant with more than 17,000 locations nationwide has never had a store quite like the one opening this week in the Texas city of Brownsville, along the U.S.-Mexico border, where a computer-controlled robotic arm did much of the work by pouring one layer of concrete atop another.

The location — which is drive-thru only — is set to open Friday and makes Starbucks one of the nation’s few big retailers that have tinkered with 3D printing for commercial construction. Builders have mostly used the technology in residential construction as they look to innovate to tackle an affordable housing crisis. read more