Orlando

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared six inland Central Florida counties to be eligible for individual assistance from the disaster declaration for Hurricane Irma, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto announced Wednesday The declaration came hours after Soto and four other Central Florida members of Congress sought federal designations for Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, and Polk […]

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

Democratic Paul Chandler withdrew Wednesday from the Oct. 10 special election set for Florida House District 44, making the already heavily-favored Republican nominee Bobby Olszewski even more so. The move, which caught both elections’ and Democratic party officials by surprise, is the latest in the Chandler saga. In the last five weeks his eligibility was […]

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando has been named one of four co-chairs of a new jobs task force created by the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives. Soto, a freshman, joins U.S. Reps. Susan DelBene of Washington, Debbie Dingell of Michigan, and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois as co-chairs of the newly-formed House Democratic […]

Scott PowersSeptember 13, 2017

Five Central Florida members of Congress – three Democrats and two Republicans – joined a call Wednesday for Central Florida counties to be designated so that individuals can become eligible for Federal Disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Val Demings of Orlando, Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Dennis […]

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 […]

Orlando

FEMA declares Central Florida counties eligible for individual assistance

Democrat Paul Chandler withdraws from HD 44 special election

Darren Soto named to Congressional Democrats’ jobs task force

Central Florida congressional members seek disaster call for Central Florida

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