Orlando

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2017

Orlando Republican Rep. Eric Eisnaugle has officially dropped his 2018 re-election bid according to documents posted with the Florida Division of Elections. Eisnaugle also filed paperwork to step down as the chairman of the PAC Committee for Justice and Economic Freedom, appointing Joseph Clements in his place. The committee hadn’t brought in any money since […]

Scott PowersFebruary 23, 2017

In a debate Thursday between Orlando’s top prosecutor and public defender, new State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she is looking at rethinking how the 9th Judicial Circuit considers death penalty cases, while Public Defender Bob Wesley urged her not to change policies. Ayala, elected on a judicial reform platform last fall as the top prosecutor for […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy called Wednesday for federal authorities to respond swiftly and strongly to threats made to Jewish centers throughout the nation and got more than 150 of her colleagues to sign on. Murphy and U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat who chairs the House Democratic Conference, sent the letter to Homeland […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

State Rep. Tom Goodson‘s effort to expand the Central Florida Expressway Authority into Brevard County cleared a Florida House subcommittee Wednesday after Goodson told members that roads from the tollroad agency’s region already extend into Brevard County. Questioning from some committee members appeared to suggest they thought Goodson implied that roads actually controlled by the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

Brightline railroad supporters and Treasure Coast counties opposing the higher-speed train planned from Orlando to Miami debated their cases Wednesday before a Florida House committee, showing the high stakes of their fight. Officials from the train company, and two other train companies, were joined by officials of one of the counties, Indian River for a panel […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

The Pulse nightclub massacre took its toll on at least one Orlando cop who responded that horrible morning and state Sen. Victor Torres said he’s convinced it’s time the state recognized Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a covered disability for Workers Compensation claims. Torres filed Senate Bill 1088 Wednesday night to make first responders suffering from […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

Driving like Arnold Palmer may soon take on a new meaning in Orlando. The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Tuesday to rename about four miles of State Road 408 as the “Arnold Palmer Expressway,” honoring the legendary golfer and longtime Orlando snowbird resident who died last September. “As you know Arnold Palmer was not […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

With a rapid increase of pedicabs that apparently now include many that are currently unregulated, Orange County officials laid out a proposed ordinance Tuesday to require permits, insurance, inspections, and enforcement along International Drive. The ordinance is largely supported by a handful of pedicab companies that already are operating under a separate set of rules […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

Facing the increasingly obvious conclusion that its 30-year-old animal services shelter is no longer adequate, Orange County is moving ahead with plans to replace it, but a new one could cost up to $35 million and take several years. The Orange County Board of Commissioners heard that news Tuesday while also reviewing information that showed […]

Larry GriffinFebruary 21, 2017

Estefania Rivera enrolled in her zoned public high school as the new girl, but the bullying became too much for her to handle. Merciless in their torment, the other kids “mobbed and harassed” her every day. It reached the point where Rivera didn’t want to go to school anymore. “I had no friends,” she said. “So, they […]

Orlando

Eric Eisnaugle closes down 2018 campaign

Aramis Ayala pledges change in how circuit considers death penalty cases

Stephanie Murphy unites 150+ Congress members calling for response on Jewish centers threats

Tom Goodson bill to expand Central Florida Expressway Authority into Brevard clears house panel

Brightline, Indian River County duke it out before House panel

First responders suffering from PTSD addressed in Vic Torres bill

‘Arnold Palmer Expressway’ designation gets committee nod

Orange County moving forward on I-Drive pedicab regulation

New Orange County animal shelter would cost $25-35 million

Chancery High gives hope, future for struggling Orange County students

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.