Things To Do In SW Florida

PGA of America booth during the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

The PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Project Urban Legend at the Madjax booth during the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Cobra 3DP Tour 7 iron club during the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Detail of the inside of a Cobra 3DP Tour 8 iron club during the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A 3D printer makes keychain versions of Cobra 3DP Tour club heads as souvenirs during the PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center, on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) read more

A section of Orange County’s famed International Drive could soon honor the late hotel mogul and philanthropist Harris Rosen.

Two Central Florida state lawmakers have introduced a bill to designate the stretch of the tourist corridor between State Road 528 and Sand Lake Road as “Harris Rosen Way.” This portion of I-Drive includes several Rosen hotels.

Rosen, the founder of Florida’s largest independent hotel chain and one of Orlando’s most prominent charitable donors, died Nov. 25 at the age of 85.

“Mr. Rosen was a remarkable role model for the Central Florida community,” state Sen. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee, one of the bill’s sponsors, said in a statement. “Through his dedication and unwavering work ethic, he embodied the pursuit of the American Dream, inspiring others along the way.”

The tribute is a way to “carry on his remarkable legacy,” said state Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, who sponsored the bill in the Florida House.

Legislative designations are for honorary purposes and do not require local governments and private entities to change street signs or mailing addresses, according to state law. The Florida Department of Transportation would erect markers, attaching Rosen’s name to I-Drive. read more

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa cut the ribbon on a new gaming area with 350 slot machines Thursday on the same day that the gambling destination reopened the Fresh Harvest Buffet.

These upgrades are complemented by a complete renovation of the hotel’s West Tower, a project comprised of 240 smoke-free rooms.

All of these improvements totaled $65 million and came from guest demand, said Steve Bonner, president of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. In reopening the buffet and unveiling the new slot area, these projects happened in a quick eight-week time span.

“I couldn’t go anywhere in Tampa Bay without someone asking me about the buffet. ‘When’s the buffet opening?’ they asked. It’s open,” he said during an interview in the new slot area. “Seven weeks ago, they were serving pizza right where we’re standing, and the buffet hadn’t been open for four years.”

The latest expansion follows a massive $700 million project in 2019 that included the new 14-story East Tower with 562 hotel rooms, three pools, a spa and salon, a huge casino expansion and the addition of Elvis Presley’s iconic 24-karat gold leaf plated 1928 Kimball grand piano to the lobby. read more

By CORA LEWIS

NEW YORK (AP) — If you live in a part of the world prone to wildfires, floods, blizzards, tornadoes, or earthquakes, there are ways you can make sure you’re financially prepared for disaster, beyond insurance.

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Like most presidents, Donald Trump faces an economy that seldom bends to political ambitions.

The Republican has promised strong growth, high tariffs, income tax cuts and booming oilfields. But despite the solid job market and low 4.1% unemployment rate, he has to contend with headwinds like inflation, a budget deficit, increased tensions over trade, the fallout from his plans to curtail immigration and a persistent wealth gap.

Each of these issues could help to shape how voters feel about a president they returned to the White House with the specific goal of fixing the economy.

For his part, Trump wants to blame all the challenges before him on his predecessor, Joe Biden, who in turn blamed Trump in 2021 for the problems his own administration had to tackle.

“This begins with confronting the economic chaos caused by the failed policies of the last administration,” Trump told the World Economic Forum on Thursday.

Here are five economic forces that could shape the first year of Trump’s presidency: read more