SUMMARY: NASA has extended the mission of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will remain in orbit aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule until spring, nearly ten months after their June 5 launch. Originally slated for an eight-day mission, their return has been delayed due to issues with Starliner, prompting NASA to send it back empty in September. The pair’s homecoming is now pushed to late March or April, contingent on the launch of a replacement crew, which has been postponed for over a month. NASA chose to wait for a new SpaceX capsule rather than using an older model for crew transport.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will soon mandate that hotels, vacation rental platforms, and event promoters disclose all fees upfront in their pricing. This decision, motivated by consumer complaints about unexpected “junk fees,” aims to promote transparency and ensure consumers know the total costs before booking. The rule takes effect in 120 days and was approved by four of the five commissioners. It requires businesses to clearly disclose all mandatory fees in their advertised prices, potentially saving consumers 53 million hours annually. This initiative follows the FTC’s exploration of fee transparency, spurred by over 12,000 public comments.

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The post Concert promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front appeared first on www.local10.com

SUMMARY: The Florida citrus industry faces significant challenges, including recent hurricanes Helene and Milton, freezes, and the ongoing threat of citrus greening disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s December forecast for the 2024-2025 harvest indicates it will be the smallest in over a century, projecting only 12 million boxes of oranges and 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit—33% less than last season. Despite these setbacks, growers remain resilient, emphasizing the importance of the industry to Florida’s identity and economy, which generates nearly $7 billion annually. Support from state and federal partners is crucial for recovery and growth.

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