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During the holiday season, Orlando theme parks ramp up the live entertainment element. Festivities are on the rise, with toy soldiers jumping rope at SeaWorld Orlando, interacting with the residents of Whoville at Islands of Adventure, and gospel music performances at Epcot. They are human beings working to spread good cheer, so my holiday wish is for us to be there a little more and soak up the cheerful vibes. (This was also spurred by the fact that we spied Magic Kingdom visitors shopping via Amazon while the merry-go-round was running; even the animatronic Sarah was surprised and stopped ironing.)…

As of December, there are approximately 50 members not running for re-election in 2026. The current number is 47. More Republicans (27) than Democrats (20) will not run next year. Some are retiring, and others, like Florida Congressman Byron Donald, have announced they are seeking higher office. Both sides are expected to spend significant amounts of money to gain and maintain control. The 2026 election is expected to be the most expensive midterm election in U.S. history, according to a new political forecast. Travis Trawick, CEO of FullPAC, a leading provider of nonpartisan campaign technology, predicts that political ad spending…

Australian animation sensation Bluey has found a home at Walt Disney World. The character will appear at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park starting in the summer of 2026, the company announced Tuesday. Blue heeler puppies Bluey and his sister Bingo will be part of DAK’s conservation station, which can be accessed by the Wildlife Express train. There, guests will play and dance with characters and play games from the TV show “Bluey” with a “fun animal twist,” Disney said. You’ll also have the chance to meet Australian animals as part of your experience. In addition, the characters will also participate…

I’ve been covering Orlando’s food scene for over a decade, and I’ve never made a discovery that I want to protect. But that’s what I actually thought for maybe a minute as I sat in the silence of D’Amico & Sons’ vast patio, watching squirrels root in the leaves, listening to Christmas music, sipping coffee, and luxuriating in a comforting breakfast sandwich that might have come from my old neighborhood bodega in Rego Park, Queens, or the giant midtown deli I stopped at on my last trip home. Because on this Sunday morning, there was no line here. Not yet,…

Imagine a place where humans could live and work underwater, combining scientific research, conservation, and training in one place. That vision has become a reality with the launch of DEEP Vanguard Habitat. This groundbreaking underwater facility represents a new era in exploration, where technology and environmental stewardship meet to create unprecedented opportunities for learning and action. DEEP exists to design and engineer the next generation of aquatic habitat systems that allow humans to remain safely beneath the waves for long periods of time. Its mission is to unite exploration, science, and conservation in previously unimaginable ways. At DEEP Vanguard, these…

This term is called “ghost job.” A recent analysis by Forbes magazine examined data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and found that of the millions of job postings this year, many went unfilled because the postings were falsified. Figures show that 30% of people looking for a listed job are never hired because the job doesn’t exist. Fake top job listings. Government role: 60% Education and medical services: 50% Information: 48% Finance: 44% Leisure and hospitality: 2% Construction: -44% (more hiring than job openings) Business analyst Caroline Castrillon explained why some industries post these ghost jobs. “Companies keep…

During the recent government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (also known as food stamps) ran out of funding. The topic has caught the attention of conservative analysts, who say it’s a perfect opportunity for the Trump administration to cut waste and fraud within the program. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 42 million Americans use food stamps, costing taxpayers $100 billion in 2024. Now the USDA is trying to uncover fraud by forcing all food stamp recipients to reapply. The White House says the measure will focus on the poor and eliminate fraud among…

The Orange County Regional History Center will host several public events in December, including sessions looking back at Cypress Gardens and going back to the early days of Orlando’s Colonial Plaza Shopping Center. The Dec. 5 lunch and learn session at the Downtown Orlando Museum is titled “The Legacy of Cypress Gardens.” Jeremy Heilman, assistant curator of collections, will guide attendees through the origins of Winterhaven’s attractions, its famous ski show, and its expansive gardens. Cypress Gardens opened in 1936 and is now the site of the Legoland Florida theme park. Admission is $5 ($17 with pre-order option for lunch).…

In the wild, Florida manatees already face threats from cold stress, habitat loss, boat strikes, and other human activities. Advocates are now concerned about the potential danger manatees could encounter from the Trump administration’s proposed changes to federal enforcement of the Endangered Species Act. Environmentalists say the proposed reductions could threaten the lives of sea cows through further habitat degradation, pollution and the negative impacts of development. “I’ve spent 50-odd years trying to get[manatees]into places where they can live and be part of a healthy, sustainable ecosystem,” said Pat Rose, executive director of the Save the Manatee Club. “If these…

FORT LAUDERDALE – Welcome to December! The Florida Panthers will look to pick up points at the tail end of their homestand this week after losing 5-3 to the Calgary Flames on Friday at Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers (25 points), who sit at 12-11-1 in the standings, are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division, just four points behind the Montreal Canadiens (29 points). Their next game against a familiar foe begins on Tuesday, a rematch of last year’s second-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs (11-11-3). Over the past three seasons, the two teams have met twice…