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Disney asks a judge to toss a lawsuit from board of DeSantis appointees

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney asked a Florida judge on Friday to toss out a lawsuit against the company’s efforts to neutralize a takeover of Disney World’s governing district by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his appointees.The case in state court in Orlando is one of two stemming from the takeover, which was retaliation for the company’s public opposition to the so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation championed by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers. Disney is fighting DeSantis in one lawsuit and his Disney World board appointees in another.The governor has touted his yearlong feud with Disney in his run for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, often accusing the entertainment giant of being too “woke.” Disney has accused the governor of violating its free speech rights.Attorneys for Disney argued before Circuit Judge Margaret Schreiber that any decision in state court would be moot since the Republican-controlled Legislature already has passed a law voiding agreements that the company made with...

Movies and TV shows affected by Hollywood actors and screenwriters’ strikes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Hollywood productions and promotional tours around the world have been put on indefinite hold as actors join writers on the picket lines as they seek new contracts with studios and streaming services.Late-night talk shows and many television productions were put on long-term hiatus due to the writers strike, and now movie tentpoles, some in mid-production, are shutting down too. They include Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel, with Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, and Marvel and Disney’s “Deadpool 3,” starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Although there may not be an immediate effect on movie releases in coming months, with many films having already completed principal photography, those coming next year are another story. Here’s a selected look at shows and films in suspension.MOVIES IN PRODUCTION THAT HAVE SHUT DOWN DURING ACTORS STRIKE“Deadpool 3” – Disney/Marvel (May 3, 2024)“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part II” – Paramount (June 28, 2024)“G...

Brewing severe thunderstorms lead to ground stop at DC-area airports

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Thunderstorms brewing in the D.C. area have led to a ground stop at D.C.-area airports Friday afternoon.Planes cannot take off or land at Reagan National, BWI Marshall and Dulles International airports due to thunderstorms hovering near the Winchester, Virginia, area.Chances of showers and thunderstorms are expected to decrease after sunset, according to 7News meteorologist Steve Rudin.Listen to WTOP online and on the radio at 103.5 FM or 107.7 FM.Current traffic conditionsWeather forecastClosings and DelaysSign up for WTOP alertsForecastFRIDAY: Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs 85-90.SATURDAY: Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs around 90.SUNDAY: Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs in the upper 80s.Current weather Source

Iowa law banning most abortions after about 6 weeks takes effect, as judge weighs whether to block

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy was signed into law Friday by Gov. Kim Reynolds, but a judge is still considering abortion advocates’ request to put the restrictions on hold.The new legislation prohibits almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. That’s a dramatic shift for Iowan women; abortion had been legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.Reynolds signed the measure into law in front of 2,000 conservative Christians barely a mile away from where a court hearing for the request to postpone the state’s new ban took place.That hearing ended Friday with the judge saying a decision may be made next week.The legal challenge was filed Wednesday morning by the ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Emma Goldman Clinic.The split screen punctuates a bitter battle between abortion advocates and opponents in I...

Denver rents rising faster than in other cities

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Denver rents may be back on the rise after a stagnant period.Nationally, rents have been climbing since February but still haven't spiked up to the heights they reached last summer. Still, renters are paying just under $300 more for their shelter than they did two years ago. Taylor Swift’s plane arrived in Colorado "Despite steady growth throughout the first half of 2023, prices remain below last summer’s peak. The national median rent price is now $2,029," reads the report, "1.17 percent less than in August 2022 when rents reached $2,053. By February 2023, rents had declined 5.66 percent from the previous high of $1,936. June’s price represents a 4.80 percent increase from February and the most expensive price registered since August 2022. Over a two-year period, prices have risen by more than 15.5 percent nationally, adding over $275 to monthly rent bills."Denver has one of the highest average rents in the U.S. It has been relatively flat over the last year, bu...

Broward House ASL seeks help after historic flooding in Fort Lauderdale left facility damaged

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Months after dozens of people at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale were forced out by wicked weather, that facility is now making a call for help in order to rebuild. Stacy Hyde, the CEO of Broward House, spoke with 7News on Friday about the damage that the facility sustained.“Our loss right now after insurance is about $1.5 million,” she said. “There was water and muck all throughout the building.”Residents of Broward County experienced historic flooding on April 12.“Two of our buildings, we couldn’t even get into for about four days,” Hyde said.The flooding left Broward House’s six buildings severely damaged and dozens of their homeless residents displaced.“Broward House is often the only place for some people who do not have insurance, who do not have income, who have been pushed aside by family and often society,” Hyde said, “and when they come here living with HIV, with mental health, with having ex...

Miami-Dade college student and father climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Summer is a time for kids to rest and relax, but for one Miami-Dade college student, it’s a time to fulfill a longtime dream of high adventure. Karen Hensel has her story in tonight’s 7 Spotlight.Hiking the tallest mountain in Africa isn’t for the faint of heart.Jessica Raffo: “I think, I always crave adventure.”And adventure is just what 18-year-old Jessica Raffo got.For years, she dreamed of hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Last month, her dad, Jaime Raffo, helped make that dream come true.Jessica Raffo: “One day he called me when he was at work, and he was like, ‘I got the tickets,’ and I called all my friends, and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, like, this is real.'”They bought new hiking boots and cold weather gear, and off they went.Jaime Raffo: “I was very excited, more so to be able to do it with my daughter.”With the help of guides, their group began at the base of the mountain where the temperature is war...

FBI searches for masked bandit who robbed bank in Southwest Miami-Dade

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Federal authorities are searching for a bank bandit who, they said, robbed a bank in Southwest Miami-Dade.According to the FBI, the incident occurred at the Chase branch near Southwest 20th Street and Red Road, Thursday.The masked man was captured on camera as he walked into the bank, demanded money and left with an undisclosed sum of cash.Officials urge anyone with information about the subject’s whereabouts is to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go to fbi.gov/tips.

Traffic crash with injuries blocks northbound lanes of Palmetto Expressway in West Miami-Dade

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Emergency responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to a traffic crash with injuries on the northbound lanes of the Palmetto Expressway/SR 826 at SW 8th Street in west Miami-Dade shortly after 4:45 pm today.According to MDFR, personnel remain at the scene, but as of now, no transports have been reported. Meanwhile, the FHP website indicates that all northbound lanes are currently blocked due to the crash.The collision has caused disruptions and congestion along this major expressway. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and exercise caution when traveling in the area.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

77 high school students gifted $100 for shopping spree at Aventura Mall as they prepare for college

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:04:14 GMT

Dozens of South Florida students are learning how to dress for success as they prepare to head to college.Seventy-seven high school students each got a $100 shopping spree at the Aventura Mall on Friday to find clothing that will help them look the part when they go in for their next college visit or do interviews.“Maybe I’ll switch it up for some pants, I don’t know,” said a student. The shopping spree is all part of Achieve Miami’s mission to empower young people and help them reach their goals.During this event, called Best Look Forward, professional stylists helped students from Title I schools across Miami-Dade County pick outfits“Always dress to impress. Always, always,” said a student. “It is so important because the moment you step in, and they look at you like, ‘OK, wow, look how she’s dressing, she cares about this, you know, she’s making the time and effort to change, to do her makeup, to do her clothes.'&#...