Orlando

Scott PowersDecember 3, 2016

Political operative Wes Hodge was elected Saturday as the new chair of the Orange County Democrats after laying out a detailed platform for. Hodge was elected by acclimation after his opponent, longtime Orange County Democratic activist Lonnie Thompson withdrew and threw his support behind Hodge while paper ballots from their contest were being counted. Hodge […]

Mike SchneiderDecember 3, 2016

fficials with a fund created from donations for victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting say they will distribute $29.5 million on 305 claims when the process is completed. Officials with OneOrlando Fund said Friday that $27.4 million has been distributed for 299 claims so far. Officials say six claims remain unpaid because family members haven’t […]

Scott PowersDecember 2, 2016

Orlando has been named “Gay City of the Year” by the gay travel site GayCities.com, which praised the City Beautiful for its outpouring of compassion and unity following last summer’s horrific massacre at the Pulse nightclub and then noted Orlando had been a strong city for gays all along. “GayCities honors the city & community […]

Scott PowersDecember 2, 2016

The horrific Pulse nightclub massacre, the specter of Zika virus, and the uncertainty of politics and national policies aren’t slowing down tourists coming to Orlando. At least not enough to hurt. The Orange County Tourist Development Council received sparkling reports Tuesday showing record receipts from tourist taxes in the past fiscal year and forecasts that […]

William PatrickDecember 2, 2016

Ten years to create 303 jobs. That straight-forward commitment was a core aspect of an agreement that allowed a California-based biotech nonprofit to secure $350 million in state and Orlando-area taxpayer support. It didn’t happen. Penned in 2006, time has now run out on Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute’s deal with the state. It’s […]

Terry RoenDecember 1, 2016

Two Orlando-based attractions are dealing with the aftermath Thursday of a wildfire that spread through Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Employees from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa were forced to evacuate Monday night when high winds sent the fire through the resort area. Both attractions have headquarters in Orlando. Ripley employees […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2016

An event in Congresswoman-elect Stephanie Murphy‘s infancy keeps redirecting her life, a life that has the 38-year-old business professor heading to Washington to represent Orlando and Central Florida as the first Vietnamese-American woman in Congress. When she was six months old, her family fled Vietnam on a refugee boat. Stephanie, her mother, father, brother, and dozens of mostly […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2016

A $5 million plan to add mid-block crosswalks and other improvements to pedestrian and bicycle safety in the major roads serving the University of Central Florida was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. The plan aims at making sidewalks, bike paths and crosswalks more appealing and safer for the 50,000 UCF […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2016

Swiss-owned RUAG Space announced Tuesday it will develop a factory in Titusville to provide component parts for satellites to be created by OneWeb Satellites, which announced its presence on Florida’s Space Coast last spring. RUAG, owned by the Swiss government, is a globally-recognized leader in engineering and manufacturing of components for space vehicles. It is […]

Terry RoenNovember 29, 2016

Bioluminescence, the sparkly glow that lights up the ocean and local rivers, is coming to a theme park near you. Both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld have unveiled plans to use technology to create nature’s glittery display. Walt Disney World will offer a ride down a river in a bioluminescent rain forest called the Na’vi […]

Orlando
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Orange County Dems pick Wes Hodge as new chair

305 claims approved for Pulse nightclub victims’ fund

Orlando named ‘Gay City of the Year’ by gay travel site

Orange County and Orlando get rosy tourist numbers, forecasts

Sanford Burnham doubles down against state efforts to recoup incentive money

Orlando-based attractions in Tennessee recover after devastating wildfire

‘The girl rescued at sea’ Stephanie Murphy rides that humanitarian service into Congress

Orange County Commission approves UCF pedestrian plan

Swiss company RUAG setting up satellite shop on Space Coast

Theme parks mimic nature’s bioluminescent glow