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Central Florida pets have a chance to be featured on a wine label thanks to an annual contest by Pet Alliance of Orlando in partnership with Quantum Leap Winery. “My Best Friend Wine Label Contest” is back for its 13th year, giving pet parents the chance to put their cat or dog on a bottle of wine. Entries will be accepted until July 19th ($5 fee per entry). Voting will be accepted from July 20th through August. 2. The contest raises money for the organization by giving a $1 donation for every vote. “every pet has a story worth celebrating,…
The cost of auto insurance has risen steadily and rapidly in recent years, with searches for “why is auto insurance so expensive” reaching an all-time high this year.Search interest increased by 104% compared to a 5-year baseline and by 244% globally since 2010.There are multiple factors that affect these costs, including inflation and personal driving behavior.Arlen James, senior analyst at Save Max Auto, says there are ways for consumers to save on insurance premiums.Mr James said one of the main reasons for higher insurance premiums is the advancement of cars that require insurance. Because many new vehicles use technology such…
Sunrise, Fla. – The Florida Panthers will celebrate their 2026-27 season home opener against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, October 10th at 6:00 PM ET at Amerant Bank Arena. The complete regular season schedule will be announced by the NHL on Thursday at 1:00 pm ET. The Panthers own the all-time record in home openers at 21-7-2-2, including wins in each of their last seven games. The Panthers will face a wild and tough test as they look to extend their winning streak to eight games. Minnesota finished third in the Central Division with a record of 46 wins, 24…
After more than 30 years of operation at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Kuumba, the roller coaster, is coming to an end. The attraction’s final day is Aug. 2, the park announced Tuesday. It will be replaced by a “next generation” version of the coaster called Kumbaz Revenge. Details and schedule for the new ride have not been announced. “Kumba has inspired generations of thrill-seekers and earned its place as one of the most iconic roller coasters in the world,” Busch Gardens Tampa Bay President John Vig said in a news release. “As we celebrate its incredible heritage, we’re also looking…
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health, will reopen for its 21st year on August 14th with a record-breaking 188 participating restaurants and will run through September 30th. The 38 new restaurants and 16 Michelin Guide-certified establishments will each offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $40 or $60 (tax and gratuity included). In fact, star power is in the spotlight this year, with Winter Park’s OMO by Jônt offering a $60 menu option (perhaps the perfect excuse to add a star to your culinary portfolio), and two options at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel near the park offering…
Florida’s ballot amendment needs 60% to pass. According to a recent poll conducted by Saks Media, if elections were held today, the property tax cut would pass with 64% of the vote. Support between political groups 87% of Republican voters support this proposal. Sixty-two percent of independents supported it, but only 35% of Democrats agreed. Florida renters also support the tax reform. A Saks poll found that 64% of renters use them. There were mixed signals from renters. A plurality (42%) said they would be encouraged to own a home if the proposals passed, while 25% said it would not…
Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer has launched an investigation into the sale and distribution of foods containing potassium bromate, a chemical additive used in some commercial baking flours. Usmeyer’s office issued civil subpoenas to General Mills and General Mills Operations seeking records regarding brominated products sold to consumers, businesses and schools in Florida. The investigation is being conducted under the Florida Deception and Unfair Trade Act and will examine the company’s supply chain, product disclosures, and research into the potential health effects of additives. “This investigation is designed to protect Florida families and provide transparency to consumers,” Usmeyer said. “Floridians…
In the coming months, Florida voters will consider whether to support or oppose a property tax proposal scheduled to be placed on the state’s 2026 ballot. But on the other hand, some of Florida’s new tax laws recently signed into law by Governor DeSantis have gone into effect to benefit consumers’ back pockets. Public schools are scheduled to reopen next month, depending on the county, between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, 2026, setting new dates for the back-to-school sales tax holiday. This year, it will start next Monday, July 20th, and run for a full month until August 20th. Excluding…
Written by Charles Broadway Imagine a Kissimmee parent who believed her bright 13-year-old daughter had been safely dropped off at school, only to learn that she never arrived that day. On February 26, 2024, Madeline Soto was reported missing. The mother’s boyfriend, Stephen Stearns, claimed he dropped her off near Hunters Creek Middle School around 8:40 a.m. This was a story that might not have been possible without the right tools. But thanks to license plate reader (LPR) technology, investigators soon uncovered the truth. LPR data showed Stearns’ vehicle was miles away from the school at the exact time he…
Big changes are coming to Florida’s construction industry. The state just passed one of the most significant permit reforms in years. Florida’s new HB 803 law significantly expands the use of private providers in plan reviews and inspections, greatly impacting builders, developers, contractors, and local governments. Here are the changes: Commercial permit fees must be reduced by at least 25% if a private provider is used for either plan review or inspection, and by at least 50% if both services are outsourced. Once a private provider has been approved, local authorities will no longer be able to review the plans…