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Associated PressDecember 2, 2015

Officials want to expand the Orange County Convention Center by adding space and other features to enhance the nation’s largest meeting place. The Orlando Sentinel reports the conceptual plans were shown to commissioners Tuesday during a presentation. The goal is to add nearly 2 acres of conference rooms, a 1,500-space parking garage, and a 130,000-square-foot multipurpose […]

Guest AuthorOctober 8, 2015

Growing up in Pensacola, I enjoyed the suspense of many hurricane days as a kid. My family would typically have to evacuate to a spot further inland from the coast, usually to my grandparents’ house. We would have books, radios, games, and puzzles splayed out to keep us all occupied while we waited out the […]

Associated PressAugust 25, 2015

Central Florida was the top destination of Puerto Ricans moving from metro San Juan to the mainland two years ago. New data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 6,200 Puerto Ricans moved to metro Orlando from the island’s capital in 2013. The New York metro area was the next most popular destination, […]

Bob SparksAugust 13, 2015

The dartboard known as the draft Florida congressional district maps is receiving the kind of comments and attacks one might expect. Some are happy, but others fall into the range of sad and outraged. In the end, few new faces are likely to join the Congressional Club in 2017. U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, for one, […]

Frank TorresAugust 2, 2015

Everyone has a role in their family. Mine, unfortunately, is often “chauffeur.” As the single guy living in the tourism capital of the world, with a family from the Midwest, I get to drive everyone around to the attractions and beaches when they visit. My siblings and cousins quickly use their children and traditional “9 to […]

Ryan RayJuly 24, 2015

House District 49 Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith announced to a rally of fast food workers he will stand with them in gesture of solidarity by agreeing to temporarily live on Florida’s minimum wage $8.05 an hour. The move, which liberal legislators such as Sen. Dwight Bullard and Rep. Cynthia Stafford have mirrored in the past, comes amid […]

Ryan RayJuly 8, 2015

Rumors surrounding U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson and his designs on the Senate seat Marco Rubio will soon vacate are nothing new. But with word spreading that the self-proclaimed “Congressman with Guts” will officially announce Thursday efforts to prepare for the electoral domino effect he’ll set in motion are gaining a new urgency. Grayson’s decision to give up a coveted seat in the […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2015

A few days ago we saw an unfortunate failure of leadership in the Florida Legislature. As a businessman still somewhat new to the process, I was disappointed that the will of the majority was bypassed. By putting politics before the work of the people, too many important issues were left stuck in the balance. One […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Former Democratic Rep. Joe Saunders is “talking to family and friends about what the future may hold” now that Rep. Rene Plasencia – who narrowly defeated Saunders in a razor-thin contest in District 49 last November – has opted to run in a more Republican-leaning adjacent district in 2016. Saunders took to social media on Sunday and later caught up with Florida […]

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Tag: Central Florida

Orange County proposes expansion to convention center

Teresa Barber: Solving the puzzle in the storm: A look at the community schools model

Orlando top spot for residents leaving Puerto Rico’s capital

Bob Sparks: Despite court requirements, new congressional maps will put few incumbents at risk

“Orlando North” concept is wrong for Seminole County

House candidate Carlos Smith accepts minimum wage challenge

Alan Grayson Senate bid will tip political dominoes in Central Florida

Wilton Simpson: We must create a statewide plan to restore, protect all environmentally sensitive areas

Democrat Joe Saunders considers comeback in House District 49

Rick Dantzler — Dear Legislator: Where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?