OrlandoSentinel.com - Business News

Orlando-area home sales prices edge up in June, but off 39% from year ago

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:02:00 -0400

Prices of existing homes in the Orlando area edged up slightly from May to June while higher interest rates and the slight price increase made homes less affordable than they had been a month earlier, according to a report by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

Relief at the pump: Gas prices expected to continue falling

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:02:00 -0400

Falling prices for crude oil are expected to push prices at the gas pump lower during the coming weeks.

Alligator hides pile up as buyers tighten belts

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The global recession has taken a big bite out of Florida's alligator farms as slumping demand for luxury goods made of gator skin has left farmers with piles of unprofitable hides.

Dawson: Publisher Sweep, er, Suckerstakes.

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:21:55 -0400

There is no end to the You-may-already-be-a-winner scams.

Regulators press First National Bank of Central Florida to beef up loan-risk reviews

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:35:00 -0400

Federal bank regulators and Winter Park-based First National Bank of Central Florida have agreed on a pact requiring the community bank to shore up its flagging real estate loan portfolio amid the recession, the bank said Friday.

Disney's monorail procedures changed in years leading up to accident

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 20:12:00 -0400

Disney places three monorail employees on paid leave

One of the first changes Walt Disney World made following last weekend's fatal monorail crash was requiring drivers to operate their trains from twin controls in the rear cab when switching off of the resort's Epcot loop. The decision came after a pilot in Sunday's accident remained in the front cab as he reversed direction while attempting to switch tracks -- and wound up backing into another train.

Disney places three monorail employees on paid leave in wake of deadly crash

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 16:47:00 -0400

Walt Disney World said this afternoon that it has placed three employees who were working during Sunday's monorail accident on paid leave.

Ralph Nader's 50 years of fighting for car safety

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

F ifty years ago, Ralph Nader wasn't known as he is now, with "consumer advocate" invariably attached to his name. He was just the 25-year-old son of Lebanese immigrants, one year out of Harvard Law School, looking for direction.

Amazon's Kindle DX: Not the answer

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I am holding in my hands a device that some think could be the salvation of the beleaguered newspaper industry. It's the Amazon Kindle DX, a large-screen version of Amazon's popular e-reader that's specifically designed for papers and textbooks.

Orlando Predators, er, creditors

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Dear Greg: I have been an Orlando Predators season-ticket holder for many years. When they announced the 2009 season was canceled, ticket holders were given the option of leaving our money with them — with the promise of 20 percent interest if the league ultimately folded — or an immediate refund. I opted for the refund, and in February received one-third of my money. I told the Preds that I didn't pay for my tickets in thirds and didn't understand why I hadn't received my full refund. They said there was an error, and the check would definitely go out by May 31. July is here and still no check. Now I'm told there will be no more refunds until the Arena Football League makes its official announcement about the 2010 season. I asked what that had to do with my money for the 2009 season. They say that is just how it is — there is a gag rule and they cannot update the Web site or make any announcements.