Orlando

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2017

Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy introduced a bill Thursday to repeal the federal ban on scientific research into gun violence and then blasted any fellow members of Congress who “seek to suppress research” as un-American. Murphy, from Winter Park, specifically referred to the June 12 massacre at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub as one reason for her […]

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2017

Plans to push an extension of the Osceola County Parkway through an environmentally-sensitive Split Oak Forest Park are not yet the concern of the Central Florida Expressway Authority but they soon will be and that agency’s leaders promised worried environmentalists Thursday that they will look closely at it. “We’re going to engage the environmental community, […]

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2017

Brevard County’s push to get onto the Central Florida Expressway Authority Board won almost simultaneous victories Thursday in a Florida House panel and the expressway authority’s board itself. The effort is being spearheaded by state Rep. Tom Goodson, a Merritt Island Republican whose House Bill 299 would create a 10th seat on the expressway board […]

Drew WilsonMarch 8, 2017

The Florida Senate passed a bill to rename a section of State Road 408 in honor of Arnold Palmer Wednesday. SB 480, sponsored by Altamonte Springs Republican Sen. David Simmons, earned unanimous approval in the floor vote, as well as its lone committee stop in the Senate Transportation Committee. In addition to renaming the state […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

Brightline, the private, for-profit intercity passenger railroad that plans to open service in South Florida this summer and one day send a 110-mph train to Orlando, announced the hiring of a new CEO and other executive moves Wednesday. Dave Howard, a former Major League Baseball executive from New York, was named chief executive officer. Former […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Lake Worth Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens want people to stop going to jail or prison for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The pair of lawmakers introduced bills this week that would make possession of one ounce or less of cannabis – described as a “personal use […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

President Donald Trump will get his first chance to signal his vision for space now that both houses of Congress have approved a $19.5 billion bill cosponsored by both Florida senators to continue NASA’s programs. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the one-year spending plan late Tuesday, calling for continued support for commercial space […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

New Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla has to be getting used to being a kicked-around rookie on the Board of Commissioners, especially as an outspoken Democrat on a Republican-dominated panel, but Tuesday she got taken down by all of her fellow commissioners. “I feel it is pretty disrespectful,” Bonilla told them during Tuesday’s meeting, after […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio lost leases on his offices in Tampa and Jacksonville in part because of landlord’s impatience with the incessant barrage of protests out front. Is Orlando next? The plaza in front of the downtown Orlando office building housing Rubio’s Central Florida office was the site of another protest Tuesday, as it has […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

Osceola County Expressway Authority plans to run a new highway through an Orange County nature park drew strong fire Tuesday at the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting, but Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the commissioners were uncertain they could do anything about it. Several dozen people came to the meeting to appeal to Jacobs and […]

Orlando
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Stephanie Murphy bill to repeal ban on gun violence research

Central Florida Expressway Authority to look closely at Split Oak Park highway proposal

Brevard County wins twice in pursuit of place on expressway board

Bill to name state road Arnold Palmer Expressway clears senate

Brightline brings in new CEO, moves other executives

Carlos Smith, Jeff Clemens introduce decriminalize pot bills

NASA’s $19.5B plan headed for Donald Trump’s desk

Emily Bonilla clashes with other Orange commissioners over parks appointee

Protests at Marco Rubio’s office say focus is on access, not booting him

Planned Osceola Parkway extension through park draws fire in Orange meeting