Florida

Orlando, Fla. – October 19, 2026 -- Evermore Orlando Resort is running a holiday program from Thanksgiving through January 1, 2027, with beach days, races, a foam party and a New Year's Eve lantern bash spread across its 1,100 acres.

Thanksgiving gets a connection-focused makeover

The resort is launching Relational Wellness by Evermore, programming designed by Harvard-trained social scientist Kasley Killam, author of The Art and Science of Connection. The Thanksgiving lineup includes Connection Cocktails and Menus paired with conversation prompts, an Evermore Thanksgiving Toast centered on gratitude, Gratitude Cards for loved ones far away and a Lantern Ceremony honoring someone who has brought light into a guest's life.

Resort president Elizabeth Mullins said the aim is to turn time together into real connection through simple rituals.

Naples – October 16, 2026 -- Social Security and SSI payments for 76 million Americans will rise 3.6 percent in 2027, lifting the average retirement benefit by about $75 a month. Finance and insurance professional Bobby Garon says many retirees will see a smaller bump in their bank accounts than that headline suggests.

The 2027 COLA is the largest since 2023

The Social Security Administration announced the cost of living adjustment (COLA) on October 14. It is up from 2.8 percent in 2026 and is the largest since 2023's 8.7 percent increase.

Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the increase starting in January 2027. About 7.3 million SSI recipients will get theirs on December 31, 2026.

Tamarac, Florida – October 16, 2026 -- Families weighing long-term care in South Florida have a new data point: Tamarac Rehabilitation & Health Center, operated by Sabal Health, ranked #20 among facilities with 100-149 beds on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes list for 2027.

Newsweek and Statista screened 14,693 nursing homes

Newsweek compiles the list each year with global data research firm Statista. The 2027 edition highlights 1,325 of the nation's top nursing homes out of 14,693 analyzed.

The evaluation draws on performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations and satisfaction. It also uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Ocala – October 15, 2026 -- Whether a car dent can be fixed with paintless dent repair (PDR) depends on the paint, the metal and the dent's shape and location, not just its size. That is the message of a HelloNation article featuring Prescott Fairfield of Precision Dent Removal in Ocala, Florida.

Intact paint and flexible metal come first

PDR may be appropriate when the paint is intact and the metal underneath can be carefully reshaped. Stretched metal or similar damage can make repair harder, because the panel may no longer respond as needed.

A small dent can be harder than a large one

The article says size alone does not decide repairability. A larger dent may respond well, while a smaller one can be tougher because of its depth, sharpness or location. Shallow damage is generally easier to reshape than a deep, sharply defined dent.

Plant City, Fla. – October 15, 2026 -- Florida families weighing term against whole life insurance can now turn to a HelloNation guide that compares the two, from 10-, 20- and 30-year term policies to lifetime coverage with a cash value component.

Term policies run 10, 20 or 30 years at lower premiums

Term life insurance covers a set period, often 10, 20, or 30 years. According to the article, term policies generally cost less than permanent options. That can suit families who want affordable protection during their highest-earning and child-raising years. Term policies may also let families secure higher coverage amounts at a lower monthly cost.

Pace – October 14, 2026 -- Families planning extended RV trips can make daily life easier by checking campground features such as utility hookups, internet access and play areas before they book. Judy Brown, an RV Park Resort Expert at Vacay Village of Pensacola, outlines the practical amenities in a HelloNation article.

Hookups and internet shape daily routines

Brown says many families focus on destinations, attractions and driving schedules and overlook the campground itself. Water, electricity and sewer connections support cooking, bathing and laundry, and families staying several days or weeks notice quickly when hookups are unreliable or hard to reach. Dependable internet also matters for entertainment, communication, remote work and trip planning.

Chicago – October 12, 2026 -- Allstate customers hit by Hurricane Isaias can file claims around the clock and visit five mobile claims centers in Alabama and Florida for in-person help.

Customers can file claims 24/7 through five channels

Allstate asks customers with storm damage to file as soon as it is safe. Filing early starts the claims process and connects customers with support resources. Claims can be filed on Allstate.com, in the Allstate Mobile app, by calling 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676), through an Allstate agent or at a mobile claims center.

"We're here to answer questions and support them through recovery," said Mike Fiato, Executive Vice President and Chief Claims Officer at Allstate.

Once it is safe, customers should photograph or film the damage and take reasonable steps to prevent more of it. They should also keep receipts for temporary repairs.

Winter Park – October 12, 2026 -- Florida landlords who rent out a home on a standard homeowners policy may face denied claims, according to a HelloNation article featuring Winter Park insurance agent Tony Lopez.

Occupancy changes how insurers see the risk

A homeowner's policy is built for owner-occupied residences. It typically covers personal belongings and limited liability. Rental property insurance instead focuses on protecting the structure and the risks tied to tenants, and the article explains that this shift in use changes how insurers evaluate risk and set coverage.

Landlord policies cover the dwelling and detached structures

Landlord insurance in Winter Park generally covers the dwelling itself. It may also extend to detached structures such as garages or sheds. Liability protection is another core piece: it applies when tenants or visitors are injured on the property and can help with legal costs or medical expenses.

Fort Lauderdale – October 12, 2026 -- Buying crypto with cash just got cheaper for Americans near one of 400-plus new machines: Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs has launched with a flat 5% fee on every purchase, compared with the 12% to 15% typical at Bitcoin ATMs and 20% or more at some of the largest national operators.

The machines sit in convenience stores, gas stations and shopping centers in Florida, California, Arizona, Texas and other states. They sell Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and the dollar-pegged stablecoins Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) for cash.

The fee and rate appear on screen before you confirm

Customers see the fee and exchange rate before confirming a purchase. Funds go directly to the customer's own digital wallet, and the company never holds them. Quincy Mathis, the company's Operations Manager, said the cost at many ATMs is often buried in the exchange rate rather than shown as a fee.

New York – October 12, 2026 -- California investors use AI for investment decisions more than those in any other U.S. state, according to the new Investing.com AI Investing Index. Ohio and Colorado tie for second, followed by Florida and Texas, while Wall Street's home state of New York ranks only 13th.

The index analyzed 12 months of U.S. user activity. It looked at the use of AI for investment research and at engagement with AI-focused stocks, adjusted for audience size in each state.

Utah, Hawaii, Michigan and Minnesota also make the top 10

These four states join the leaders in the top 10, which looks quite different from the traditional centers of American finance. New Jersey lands even lower, at #27.

Florida leads in AI research, Pennsylvania in AI stocks

Among the states studied, Florida records the highest level of AI-assisted investment research. Pennsylvania shows the strongest engagement with AI-focused stocks.