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Productions by Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, SeaWorld Orlando and various Universal resorts have been named finalists for the 2025 Brass Ring Excellence Awards by IAAPA.

Most visibile of them for theme park visitors is “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” the nighttime parade that debuted at Magic Kingdom in July.  It is in the running in the most creative spectacle category, vying against “World of Color Happiness” from Disneyland in California and “Disney Tales of Magic” at Disneyland Paris.

Disney Cruise Lines’ “The Tale of Moana” stage show aboard the Disney Treasure ship is a finalist for most creative theatrical production — year-round operation.

SeaWorld Orlando scored finalist status in two marketing categories. Its Howl-O-Scream 5 Years of Fear is nominated for most creative integrated marketing campaign, and Big City Penguins campaign is recognized for most creative outdoor advertisement.

Universal: Mardi Gras 2026 concerts feature RuPaul, Fatone, Bebe Rexha read more

By PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale prices rose modestly in November, the government said in report delayed by the federal government shutdown.

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The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.2% in November from October and 3% from a year earlier.

The numbers are old. They were supposed to come out Dec. 11, but the report was delayed by last fall’s 43-day government shutdown. The Labor Department will put out December’s producer price index on Jan. 30; it was originally scheduled to come out Wednesday. read more

By ALEX VEIGA, Associated Press Business Writer

The U.S. housing market slump dragged into its fourth year in 2025 as sales remained stuck at a 30-year low with rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates keeping many prospective home shoppers out of the market.

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Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes totaled 4.06 million last year, flat versus 2024, when sales sank to the lowest level since 1995, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. Sales have declined on annual basis every year since 2022.

The median national home price for all of last year rose 1.7% to $414,400, the NAR said. read more

By Todd Woody, Bloomberg News

The elimination of U.S. tax credits for residential heat pumps, solar panels and batteries will make electrifying your home more expensive in 2026, and tariffs and made-in-America mandates could add additional costs.

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  Disney parade, SeaWorld campaigns among Brass Ring Award finalists

• 
  Producer prices rise a mild 0.2% in November, government says in report delayed by federal shutdown

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  2025 US home sales stuck at 30-year low as mortgage rates, prices weighed on market

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  US stocks dip again as oil and gold prices rise

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  SpaceX aims for year’s 4th Space Coast launch today if weather cooperates

Just how pricey remains to be seen. New financing models could help keep some solar and battery costs in check, according to Emily Walker, director of insights at online solar marketplace EnergySage.

Here’s what you need to know.

The tax credit repeal’s impact on prices

The expiration of the 30% federal tax credit for solar and battery installations at the end of 2025 doesn’t necessarily make the equipment more costly to buy but for homeowners with a tax liability, it does end the ability to reduce or erase their tax bill. A typical solar and battery system generated tax credits worth about $10,000. read more

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are falling on Wednesday following mixed profit reports from several big banks.

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  Producer prices rise a mild 0.2% in November, government says in report delayed by federal shutdown

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The S&P 500 sank 1% and was on track for a second straight loss after setting its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 248 points, or 0.5%, as of 11 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.5% lower.

Wells Fargo helped pull the market lower after falling 4.5%. The San Francisco-based bank reported weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than expected, with analysts citing lower trading fees and other miscellaneous items. read more