Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

NTD Plus

News

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Iranian Regime Misreading Trump, Says Middle East Expert

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

Anchors of Hope: Mission-Critical Veterans Present ‘Amazing Opportunity’ for G1K Companies This 250th Year

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Death of Handcuffed Stabbing Victim Sparks Backlash in the UK

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

FBI Announces Launch of Operation Summer Heat 2.0

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Business News

Tariffs

US Says It Plans Extra Tariffs of 10 Percent or More for Most Trading Partners After Forced Labor Probe

Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.

Jackson Richman

Beige Luciano-Adams is an investigative reporter covering Los Angeles and statewide issues in California. She has covered politics, arts, culture, and social issues for a variety of outlets, including LA Weekly and MediaNews Group publications.  

Beige Luciano-Adams

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

US News

State News

California

Bass Advances to Runoff in LA Mayor’s Race; Pratt, Naman Vie For Remaining Spot

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

World News

Middle East

Iran

US Military Says It Intercepted Iranian Missiles Launched Toward Regional Nations, Conducted Strikes

Kelly McBride Ni is a news writer for NTD based in North Carolina. 


Kelly McBride Ni

Foreign Researchers Charged With Allegedly Smuggling Monkeypox Virus Into US

Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.

Jill McLaughlin

Scott Pelley Fired by ’60 Minutes’ After Clash With Management

Rachel Acenas is an experienced journalist and TV news reporter and anchor covering breaking stories and contributing original news content for NTD's digital team.

Rachel Acenas

Politics

Donald Trump

Trump Set to Speak at New WHCA Dinner in July

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (June 4)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (June 3)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (June 2)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (June 1)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 29)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 28)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 27)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 26)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 25)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 22)

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

Trump Calls Iran's Response to Latest US Ceasefire Proposal 'Totally Unacceptable'

Iris Tao is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. Prior to her work at the White House, Iris reported on U.S. politics and U.S.–China relations from NTD’s New York headquarters. She holds degrees in journalism and economics from Boston University.

Iris Tao

US and Iran Trade Strikes, Kuwait Is Hit by Drone and Missile Fire

Disney is canceling plans to build a nearly $900 million corporate campus in Lake Nona, Florida, citing “changing business conditions.”

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s parks, experiences, and products division, announced the decision to scrap plans to build the campus, which would have housed roughly 2,000 employees, in an <a href="https://twitter.com/FBSaunders/status/1659285244334206987">email</a> to workers on May 18.

The email was shared on social media and widely reported.

“Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward,” D’Amaro said. “This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate.”

D’Amaro noted that employees who had already relocated to Florida will be spoken to individually by senior management regarding a potential move back to Burbank, California, where Disney is headquartered.

“It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion,” he said.

D’Amaro added that the company still plans to invest $17 billion in Florida over the next 10 years and create an additional 13,000 jobs.

“I hope we’re able to do so,” he wrote.

Disney currently employs more than 75,000 people in the state.
<figure id="attachment_3421774" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 600px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">

People visit the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on April 18, 2022. (Ted Shaffrey/AP Photo)

</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Florida ‘Has Long Been Home’</h2>
D’Amaro initially announced Disney’s plans to construct the corporate campus, located roughly 20 miles from the giant Walt Disney World theme park resort, in July 2021 in order to take advantage of roughly <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-05-18/disney-cancels-plan-to-move-2-000-workers-to-florida-amid-desantis-fight">$570 million</a> in tax breaks.

The campus, which would house employees, including its Imagineers who design theme park rides, was relocated from its California headquarters and was expected to open by the end of 2022 or early 2023 but was later delayed to 2026.

The company was expected to splash out as much as $864 million on the project, <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/real-estate/os-bz-disney-lake-nona-property-20210920-trwo3g5s5fej5ofwuwvzxji5ku-story.html">according</a> to the Orlando Sentinel.

“With more than 60,000 Cast Members, Imagineers, and employees, Central Florida has long been home to many of our businesses including the Walt Disney World Resort and most of our Disney Signature Experiences team,” D’Amaro <a href="https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/disney-confirms-plan-to-relocate-2000-jobs-to-orlandos-lake-nona">said</a> at the time. “It is also where members of other DPEP businesses reside, including Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, and Walt Disney Imagineering, and serves as the hub for many support functions that assist our segment and the entire company.”

Plans to scrap the construction come amid Disney’s ongoing legal battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, initially sparked by former CEO, Bob Chapek’s criticism of the state’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, or HB 1557, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which was <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2022/03/28/governor-ron-desantis-signs-historic-bill-to-protect-parental-rights-in-education/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed into law</a> by DeSantis on March 28.

The law bans instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools for kindergarten through third grade. Dinsey has voiced opposition to the bill.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to Iowa voters gathered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 10, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)


<figure id="attachment_5252061" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 600px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text"></figcaption></figure>
<h2>DeSantis Says Disney’s Move ‘Unsurprising’</h2>
DeSantis, who is expected to soon announce that he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination for U.S. president, later moved to strip Disney of its long-standing self-governing power status in Florida, including its tax exemptions and the right to avoid state regulatory reviews and approvals, through legislation passed by lawmakers, arguing that the company should not receive special treatment in the state.

DeSantis appointed a new board of supervisors. However, shortly before the planned takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney found a way to strip the new board of many of its powers by entering into development and restrictive covenant agreements with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc.

The Florida Republican and Disney have been locked in a fierce legal battle since.

Commenting on Disney’s recent announcement, DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/18/disney-florida-desantis-lake-nona/">told</a> the Washington Post, “Given the company’s financial straits, falling market cap, and declining stock price, it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on May 10 that it lost four million subscribers in the second quarter, bringing the total to 157.8 million, down from 161.8 million in the previous quarter, marking continued declines seen in the last quarter of 2022.
<h2>Newsom Weighs In on Disney Decision</h2>
However, the company reported (<a href="https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/app/uploads/2023/05/q2-fy23-earnings.pdf">pdf</a>) revenue of $21.8 billion in the recent quarter, up 13 percent year-over-year.

California governor Gavin Newsom weighed in on Disney’s latest announcement on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1659264971774259205">writing</a> Thursday, “Turns out, bigoted policies have consequences. That’s 2,000+ jobs that will be welcomed back with open arms to the Golden State. Thank you for doing the right thing, Disney.”

Elsewhere, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings called the announcement “unfortunate.”

“It is unfortunate that Disney will not be moving forward with the construction of the Lake Nona campus. However, these are the consequences when there isn’t an inclusive and collaborative work environment between the state of Florida and the business community,” Demings said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with our valued partners at Disney.”

Elsewhere Florida Sen. Joe Gruters, a former chairman of the state Republican Party, called Disney’s decision a huge loss.

“I hope we can put this conflict behind us and get back to a more normal working relationship with a company that’s been one of our best business and tourism partners that we’ve had over the last 50 years,” Gruters said in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/disney-florida-campus-california-desantis-f68879e039ab85b3f027ddf91d84eb6a">statement</a> to The Associated Press. “Two thousand jobs and a billion dollars worth of investments into our state, I would say that’s a serious blow. The market is much better at dealing with companies rather than heavy-handed government.”

The Epoch Times has contacted Disney for comment.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/disney-scraps-plans-to-build-900-million-florida-campus-amid-desantis-feud-cites-changing-business-conditions_5277373.html">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Videos

Florida

business

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

campus

DeSantis

Management

Katabella Roberts is a former writer for The Epoch Times, focusing primarily on the U.S., world, and business news.

Katabella Roberts

02_Second Lead

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

Disney Scraps Plans to Build $900 Million Florida Campus Amid DeSantis Feud, Cites 'Changing Business Conditions;'