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74 million tourists visited Orlando, Florida, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — More than 74 million visitors came to the Orlando, Florida, area last year, a benchmark just short of pre-pandemic levels, tourism officials said Thursday.The number of tourists was 25% greater than it was in 2021, when central Florida was still recovering from the blows to tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted international travel and caused convention cancellations. The area’s theme parks closed for several months in 2020 in an effort to stop the virus’ spread.“This past year proved to be a key recovery timeframe for Orlando’s tourism industry, with a lot of pent-up demand from our top US and international markets,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando, the area’s tourism promotion organization.The Orlando area had more than 69 million domestic visitors, with most of them visiting for vacations, a segment that has fully recovered, tourism officials said. Business visitors still lagged behind pre-pandemi...

Lakers coach Ham expects Anthony Davis to play in Game 6 vs Warriors

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he expects Anthony Davis to play Friday night in Los Angeles, adding that the eight-time All-Star big man is “not showing any signs of anything” and is not in the NBA’s concussion protocol after being hit in the head late in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. “We checked in with him, and he’s feeling great,” Ham said. “Our medical staff gave us a great update. He’s not in the (concussion) protocol.”Davis will be listed as probable for Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors.“It’s huge,” Ham said. “He’s the centerpiece of what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball, and for us just in general, our success rate. So that was great, great news.”Davis was hurt by what appeared to be an inadvertent shot to the head from Golden State’s Kevon Looney midway through the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 121-106 victory in San Francisco.Davis grabbed at his head grimacing on the bench before going to the locker room f...

Gen Digital: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Gen Digital Inc. (GEN) on Thursday reported earnings of $915 million in its fiscal fourth quarter.The Tempe, Arizona-based company said it had profit of $1.42 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 46 cents per share.The security software maker posted revenue of $947 million in the period.For the year, the company reported profit of $1.35 billion, or $2.16 per share. Revenue was reported as $3.34 billion.For the current quarter ending in June, Gen Digital expects its per-share earnings to range from 45 cents to 47 cents.The company said it expects revenue in the range of $940 million to $950 million for the fiscal first quarter._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GEN at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GENSource

Mountain lion punctures 11-year-old girl's face

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

BUENA VISTA, Colo. (KDVR) -- An 11-year-old girl was injured by a mountain lion when it swatted her in the face, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Thursday. The attack occurred Wednesday when the girl went into the family chicken coop and found a dead chicken. She opened the door to the hen house and that's when the young mountain lion swatted her in the face, leaving a puncture wound. The girl was treated at a Chaffee County hospital for the small puncture wound on her face and released. Lightning strike burns down beloved Larkspur barn CPW officers responded to the incident at the house, located in a rural area southeast of Buena Vista, and found the young 30-pound female feline still in the mesh coop and immediately euthanized it. “This was a small mountain lion probably just looking for an easy meal in the chicken coop,” Sean Shepherd, area wildlife manager based in Salida, said. “The victim likely surprised the lion. It probably felt threatened and it swatted at her as she en...

Infant killed, woman airlifted after crash on I-75 in Davie; NB express lanes closed near Griffin Road

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

A violent crash on Interstate 75 in Davie left an infant dead, sent a woman to the hospital and led to the closure of northbound lanes near Griffin Road.Davie Fire Rescue units responded to the scene on the northbound express lanes, just north of Sheridan Street, Thursday afternoon.7SkyForce hovered above the scene just before 4:45 p.m., after the northbound lanes were shut down.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the black GMC SUV where the infant was riding was stopped illegally between the northbound express lanes when it was rear-ended by a white Ford pickup truck.The GMC came to a stop on the express lanes against the concrete barrier wall.The infant and the woman who was driving the GMC were trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters were able to extricate the victims.A rescue chopper was seen landing on the highway, and a first responder approached one of the vehicles involved with a stretcher.Paramedics reportedly administered CPR on the infant. Officials said the child w...

2 Booker T. Washington seniors surprised at ceremony with college scholarships

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

Two South Florida high school seniors who were attending a ceremony at their school had no idea they were about to receive something life-changing.Video showed Mila Bleary and Alondra Rojas at their Senior Awards ceremony at Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Miami, unaware they were about to receive a major gift.“We’re here today to give out a four-year, fully paid scholarship to a graduating senior at Booker T. Washington,” said Rick Freedman, the scholarship chair of the Kiwanis Club Of Biscayne Bay. “Not only are we giving out a four-year college scholarship; we’re gonna give out a two-year, 60-credit college scholarship on top of that.”Seconds later, the Kiwanis Club of Biscayne Bay surprised Bleary and Rojas by calling their names.“It doesn’t even feel real, it really doesn’t,” said Rojas.Rojas said she wants to attend Florida State University, and this scholarship will make that happen.“I’ve been ...

Mass. SNAP scam victims set to receive reimbursements

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

Massachusetts is reimbursing some victims of SNAP scams. The state-funded one-time replacement will cover funds lost from skimming, phishing or similar electronic fraud from April through September 2022, the Department of Transitional Assistance announced Thursday.The reimbursements will begin May 12, and victims should expect a text message or email from the state, according to their website. DTA said recipients should change pin numbers frequently or set up direct deposit to be protected against scams. DTA staff members will not ask for a pin number.“SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger and supports our local grocery stores and farmers,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “Our state is a leader in providing households with replacement SNAP benefits not covered by the federal government and will continue to prioritize food security in Massachusetts through initiatives like this.”

Celtics make lineup change, start Robert Williams over Derrick White for do-or-die Game 6

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — With their season on the brink, Joe Mazzulla decided to change things up for the Celtics.As the Celtics faced elimination on Thursday night, the Celtics went to a starting lineup that’s given them great success in the past. Robert Williams started over Derrick White for their do-or-die Game 6 against the 76ers, giving the Celtics the double-big lineup with Williams and Al Horford that they haven’t used much in the postseason.“Just give us a different look,” Mazzulla explained. “I think at his best, Rob gives us a lift, especially on the defensive end. So, looking for that.”The Celtics used a starting five that included Williams and Horford in their run to the NBA Finals last season. But Williams missed the first 29 games of the season after having knee surgery, and White assumed his role in the starting lineup and excelled in it, giving the C’s a five-out look with all shooters on the floor.Williams had been playing a reduced role in this series against the Sixers, lo...

Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love doesn’t mind the pressure of replacing Aaron Rodgers: ‘That’s what I signed up for’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love acknowledges the burden that comes along with replacing a four-time MVP.He welcomes the scrutiny that’s sure to follow him all season.“You’re an NFL quarterback,” Love said Wednesday while talking with reporters for the first time since the Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.“There’s only so many of you. So everyone’s watching you. Everyone’s watching every move you make on the field, so it’s pressure. But that’s what comes with the position. That’s what I signed up for, that’s what I knew I was getting myself into and it comes down to me just making the most of that.”After backing up Rodgers the last three seasons, Love finally has his chance to show what he can do — he’ll open the 2023 season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field. Love said he and Rodgers have spoken since last month’s trade.“He wished me th...

Maintenance work finishes on Sagamore Bridge ahead of schedule

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:24 GMT

Drivers, expect less of a headache when going over the Sagamore Bridge in the days ahead.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District has completed “critical maintenance work” on the old Cape bridge two weeks ahead of schedule, just in time for what looks to be a beautiful, summerlike weekend.Contractors Thursday morning finished the paving portion of the project’s final phase, which included repairs to both the east side roadway lanes and the bridge’s sidewalk. Lane restrictions have been removed, and a temporary line striping has been put down, according to the USACE.“The contractor will come back over the weekend at night to complete permanent line striping, remove all the temporary road signage and reopen the sidewalk to pedestrians and cyclists,” the USACE said via social media. “USACE would like to thank everyone in the community for their patience and cooperation during this critical repair work that was completed well ahead of schedule!”Drivers since March dealt wit...