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According to government figures, a record 143 million people will visit the state in 2024, including many to Florida’s national parks such as the Everglades. But this year, for a limited time, state and U.S. residents will be able to visit these national parks for free. The Department of the Interior (DOI) lists the Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas as Florida’s three major national parks, but also includes other National Park Service sites such as preserves and monuments. Free admission dates listed on the DOI are: President’s Day (February 16, 2026) Memorial Day (May 25, 2026) Flag Day/President Trump’s Birthday…
You’re probably thinking that Taylor Swift is everywhere these days, so it wouldn’t be a shock if she showed up at Walt Disney World. In this case, three of her tour outfits can be seen at Walt Disney Presents, a walk-through attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The trio are mounted on mannequins behind glass in a single display case, and Disney says each was worn during Swift’s famous Elas tour. Visitors can see a black and gold serpentine bodysuit (designed by Roberto Cavalli) that was part of her “Reputation” set, as well as a Vivienne Westwood dress with…
According to NHL statistics, Ekblad has accounted for 127 goals in his career (47 goals, 80 goals), which is the third most in franchise history behind Aleksander Barkov (262 goals) and Jonathan Huberdeau (200 goals). “It was a great screen from Leino (Sam Reinhart),” Ekblad said of the goal. “I think it was because of the screen, but the internet was pretty open.” The third period was a close one, with both teams combining for just 11 shots (6-5 FLA). Daniil Tarasov made a great save on Nathan MacKinnon to deny the Avalanche’s last chance and scored, giving the Panthers…
The gambling market is already reacting to the news of the US arrest and detention of dictator Nicolas Maduro. Oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag do not predict the US will use military force against Venezuela before April, with the figure representing only a 20% chance of an invasion, as President Donald Trump has said the US will “govern” Venezuela in the short term. How about Venezuela becoming the 51st state? There’s a large camp that thinks that could happen given the country’s oil supply, but the 7/2 odds below give it only a 22% chance. With Maduro in custody, many have speculated…
For some fans, this year’s Winter Classic was a full-circle moment. Neal, who has been a Panthers fan for the past 18 years, said, “To see the Panthers gain national recognition after being in the Stanley Cup Final for three years and facing the New York Rangers, who I was there to win the Stanley Cup in 1994, and to be here now, 31 years later, celebrating the Panthers’ success against the Rangers only adds to the joy.” The Panthers have ignited the local market and catapulted themselves to the center of the hockey world over the past four seasons,…
As we begin a new year, I’m asking myself the same questions as many others. “Where have the last 12 months been?” As we reflect on the past year and set our sights on 2026, I’m continuing the Central Florida Explorer’s annual tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions and focusing on my intentions for the coming months. For example, I want to limit my phone time, incorporate movement into my day, and visit more state parks. Before we look to next year, let’s take a look at how well we accomplished our 2025 goals. Looking back at 2025 The last…
As 2026 approached, Florida opponents were complaining about the cost of auto and property insurance. In fact, it is one of the major factors fueling people’s dissatisfaction with affordability. But a year later, a different story is emerging. Car insurance premiums in Florida are plummeting. Let me say it again. Car insurance premiums have fallen significantly. Property and casualty insurance rates are flattening, and many insurance companies are seeking lower premiums for their customers. In the great state of Florida, by law insurance companies must return profits above a certain threshold to policyholders in the form of reduced premiums. So…
Written by Raymond Johnson It’s hard to believe, but I recently had the opportunity to read some reports showing that auto and home insurance rates in Florida are starting to go down. This has taken a long time, but as we turn the page on this year and get ready to head into the new year, it’s great to see conservative leadership really starting to pay off. Population growth continues to accelerate the housing affordability crisis, with working households feeling the pinch of rising property taxes, real estate insurance premiums, and health care costs. In 2023, our leaders had to…
Author: Clayton Wood, Contributor College football crossed the Rubicon the moment the NIL became the primary driver for roster construction. This is no longer amateur track and field with a following. It’s professional soccer with looser rules, worse contracts, and no adult supervision. And the chaos we see every December is exactly what you would expect when you professionalize a sport but refuse to adopt a professional structure. 1 year rental.A mercenary with no loyalty.Players opt out the moment the calculations decide they want to “save the bag.”Fans asked for close attention to the roster, which is reset every year.…
If all goes as planned in 2026, Orlando-area theme parks and attractions will be welcoming new animatronics, new roller coasters, more Muppet Mania, returning rides, and tons of sloths. Yes, it’s a sloth. But slow down a little. At Walt Disney World, multiple rollouts are planned at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the opening of the Magic of Disney Animation Area in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building. It spotlights aspects of the company’s approach to animation, using short films, vivid portraits, sketches, photo shoots, character greetings, and an indoor play area called “Drawn to Wonderland,” inspired by the art…