Orlando

Associated PressSeptember 12, 2017

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center remained closed Tuesday but appeared to have weathered Hurricane Irma well. The same holds true at adjoining Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Power was restored to NASA and Air Force facilities but water service was still out Tuesday. Until that’s restored, officials said Kennedy would stay closed to non-essential personnel. Inspection […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 11, 2017

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A massive sinkhole opened at the edge of an apartment building in Orange County, swallowing air conditioning units and bushes and a concrete slab. The sinkhole destabilized the building so seriously that firefighters evacuated dozens of residents amid the hurricane’s winds and pouring rain. The Associated Press reports that Ronnie Ufie heard a loud bang […]

Scott PowersSeptember 11, 2017

Central Florida is mainly dealing with power outages throughout, with more than 1.1 million residences and businesses reported without electricity Monday, a situation that also plagues traffic lights and other services. With an estimated 372,000 residences and businesses without power and counting countywide, Orange County’s curfew remains in effect through 6 p.m. Monday. The Orange […]

Terry RoenSeptember 10, 2017

Central Florida shelters have plenty of space as Hurricane Irma’s path shifted west and many residents have decided to weather the storm at home. Only two of 18 Orange County shelters are full. Shelters at Apopka and Colonial high schools were the first to fill. The gymnasium at Colonial High School was covered with inflatable […]

Scott PowersSeptember 7, 2017

State Rep. Bob Cortes raised more than $26,000 for his re-election campaign in Florida House District 30 in August, more than doubling his campaign fund for the 2018 election. Cortes, a Republican from Altamonte Springs who hosted a major fundraiser on August 1, increased his re-election campaign fund to $49,960 in donations, with $4,892 in […]

Scott PowersSeptember 6, 2017

Central Florida’s three Democratic members of the U.S. Congress have introduced an amendment to the federal spending bill that would set aside additional antiterrorism money for cities like Orlando that miss the cut from Homeland Security. Central Florida’s delegation – dating back to the three previous incumbents – has argued that Homeland Security’s rules for […]

Terry RoenSeptember 6, 2017

Hard Rock International is moving its corporate headquarters from Orlando to Hollywood in 2018. The casino, hotel and restaurant conglomerate made the announcement on its website. It will bring staffers together by joining with its ownership, The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Gaming organization. Hard Rock has been based in Orlando since the […]

Scott PowersSeptember 6, 2017

Newly-filed Florida House District 29 Democratic candidate Patrick Brandt said he’s running because he believes Republicans in Tallahassee oppose “nearly everything I stand for.” Brandt, 47, a lawyer from Longwood, filed earlier this week to oppose Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon. Brandt said he is engaging with Gainesville Democratic political consultant Bryan Eastman and bringing […]

Scott PowersSeptember 6, 2017

Former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Todd Wilcox is expanding his private defense and intelligence specialist company with the acquisition of a rival company. Wilcox’s primary company Patriot Defense Group announced the acquisition of Virginia based Silverback 7 marking the beginning of a 10-year strategy to grow its Maitland headquarters. The company will add 13 high-wage […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2017

A super PAC backing Republican Mike Miller‘s congressional campaign was launched last week. Paperwork registering the political committee, “Central Florida Solutions,” was filed Friday and lists Abby Dupree as both the treasurer and custodian of records. Dupree holds the same titles at Gov. Rick Scott’s “Let’s Get to Work” as well as the committee backing a […]

Orlando

Kennedy Space Center remains closed, but spared major damage

Massive sinkhole opens in Orange County during Irma

372,000 customers without power in Orange County, 1.1 million in Central Florida

Central Florida shelters still have room for evacuees

Bob Cortes raises $26K in August, tops among Seminole County house candidates

Val Demings, Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy push antiterrorism funding for Orlando

Hard Rock International to move Orlando headquarters

HD 29 Democrat Patrick Brandt to campaign on springs, schools, health care

Todd Wilcox expands private defense and intelligence business

New committee started to back Mike Miller’s congressional bid