Things To Do In SW Florida

Spirit Airlines, citing “broad support” from a “supermajority” of its leading bondholders, said Thursday its reorganization plan has been approved by a federal bankruptcy court in New York, paving the way for its exit from Chapter 11 “in the coming weeks.”

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane said he would back Spirit’s restructuring plan, which gives control of the Dania Beach-based discount carrier to a bondholder group that includes Citadel Advisors, controlled by billionaire hedge fund operator Kenneth C. Griffin, Pacific Investment Management Co. and Western Asset Management Co., court records show.

“Today’s approval is a major milestone as we progress toward the successful conclusion of our in-court process,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and chief executive officer in a statement. “We will emerge as a stronger airline with the financial flexibility to continue providing Guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value. Throughout this process, we’ve had virtually unanimous support from our bondholders, who recognize Spirit’s value and potential. As we move forward, our leadership team remains focused on reducing costs while also advancing our strategic initiatives to transform our Guest experience and position Spirit for success.” read more

By AMANDA SEITZ and BRIAN SLODYSKO

WASHINGTON (AP) — The wealth of Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has swelled in part from for-profit health care companies over which he’d wield significant power if confirmed, according to a newly filed government ethics report.

Elon Musk’s latest space-related hammer throw is to call for the International Space Station to be deorbited as soon as two years from now.

In posts to X, Musk said, “It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the (space station). It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars.”

When pressed for whether or not he meant to up the current schedule that calls for it to be safely brought down after 2030, Musk said, “The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now.”

SpaceX has a contract to build a deorbit vehicle based on its Dragon spacecraft to do the deed, but also has potentially several crewed trips to the space station for both NASA and commercial companies visiting the station as well.

SpaceX also flies cargo missions twice a year to the ISS.

One of Musk’s buddies, billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has flown twice to space with SpaceX, is President Trump’s nominee to become the next head of NASA. read more

By Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet

Free File is a program that allows the majority of taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns for free through participating software companies. But the service remains woefully underused.

Do you enjoy using I-4 Express lanes to get where you’re going in Central Florida? Starting Monday, you could pay higher tolls when using them to travel through the region — but the cost will depend on when you go.

The Florida Department of Transportation said in a news release it will begin dynamic tolling on the 21 miles of express lanes along Interstate 4 through Orange and Seminole counties.

The concept is pretty basic: More traffic means higher tolls, less traffic means lower tolls.

FDOT said drivers should expect to pay the highest rates during the peak commuting hours of 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. weekdays through downtown Orlando. However, prices on express lanes will fluctuate throughout the day based on traffic conditions. The cost will also vary, as it does now, depending on how far you’re going.

Electronic signs overhead will show destinations and current toll rates to reach them, the agency said. Drivers will never be charged more than the toll shown on the sign when passed. If the toll changes after they pass the sign, drivers will pay the lower amount. read more