Groveland wants $1.4 million from Kroger for facility closure

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 8:10A James Wilkins

Kroger Co. has defaulted on its agreement with the City of Groveland, and city officials are demanding the company pay back $1.4 million by the end of January. The city decided this week to seek the...

Five people sue Universal, claiming Stardust Racers caused severe injuries

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 7:20A Martin E. Comas

Five people have filed separate lawsuits against Universal Orlando Resort, claiming they suffered severe and permanent injuries — in some cases, bleeding of the brain, spinal cord damage and paralysis — after their heads slammed repeatedly...

Stocks rise on Wall Street and pull closer to weekly gains as AI stocks climb

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 5:13A Associated Press

By DAMIAN J. TROISE NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in afternoon trading on Wall Street Friday and further trimmed losses from earlier in the week for several major indexes. Related Articles Groveland wants $1.4 million from Kroger for facility...

Ford recalls more than 270,000 electric and hybrid vehicles due to roll-away risk

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 5:09A Associated Press

Ford is recalling more than 270,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the U.S. because of a parking function problem that could lead to them rolling away. The Detroit automaker said that the recall includes certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV,...

November US homes sales rose from the previous month, but down from 2024 as prices climb

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 4:54A Associated Press

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November from the previous month, but slowed compared to a year earlier for the first time since May despite average long-term mortgage rates holding near their low...

Would-be Florida homebuyers getting cold feet? Many more are walking away from purchases

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/19 3:16A Abigail Hasebroock

More homebuyers have been backing out of home-purchase agreements in many parts of Florida and across the U.S., a new analysis shows. Florida and Texas are seeing more newly built homes than anywhere else in the country, leading some buyers to...

Sloth World plans quiet existence on bustling I-Drive

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/18 11:06P Dewayne Bevil

Sloth World is rapidly approaching a grand opening on Orlando’s International Drive, its executives say. The 7,500-square-foot facility will be home to more than 40 sloths living in a rainforest-inspired setting. And while it will operate near...

Developer investing $150 million to spruce up Orange County convention hotels

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 11:00P Laura Kinsler

With Orange County breaking ground this week on a pricey expansion of its Convention Center, a Texas developer is spending $75 million on renovations to modernize each of its convention center hotels....

Trump Media to merge with nuclear fusion company that wants to power AI

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 5:42A Associated Press

Trump Media & Technology will merge with a fusion power company in an all-stock deal that the companies said Thursday is valued at more than $6 billion. Devin Nunes, the Republican congressman who resigned in 2021 to become the CEO of Trump...

US stocks jump after an encouraging inflation update, as Micron helps AI stocks stop their slide

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 5:19A Associated Press

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are jumping on Thursday following an encouraging report on inflation that could help the Federal Reserve keep cutting interest rates next year. A strong profit report from Micron...

Average US long-term mortgage rate edges lower, remaining near its low for the year

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 5:12A Associated Press

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged lower this week, staying relatively close to its low for the year. Related Articles US jobless claim applications fell by 13,000 last week as layoffs remain low...

US jobless claim applications fell by 13,000 last week as layoffs remain low

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 4:56A Associated Press

By MATT OTT, AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 last week, remaining in the same historically healthy range of the past few years even as concerns grow about the health of the labor...

US says price increases eased last month but data may be distorted and Americans aren’t feeling it

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 4:03A Associated Press

By PAUL WISEMAN and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Business Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — At a time when Americans are frustrated and angry over the high cost of living, the government released a report Thursday showing that inflation had cooled unexpectedly...

Experts share their top tips to save money this holiday season

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/18 3:00A Associated Press

By ADRIANA MORGA NEW YORK (AP) — The holiday season means time with family and new memories, but it can also mean lots of spending — sometimes too much. Related Articles US jobless claim applications fell by 13,000 last week as layoffs remain low...

Central Florida residents could soon get store deliveries by drone

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/17 11:00P Michael Cuglietta

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer stood outside City Hall one morning this week and looked up as a drone lowered a blue and yellow cardboard sack to the ground on a wire. As the autonomous aircraft retracted...