Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressOctober 7, 2016

Hurricane Matthew scraped Florida’s Atlantic coast early Friday, toppling trees onto homes and knocking out power to a half-million people but sparing some of the most heavily populated stretches of shoreline the catastrophic blow many had feared. Authorities warned that the danger was far from over, with hundreds of miles of coastline in Florida, Georgia […]

Associated PressOctober 6, 2016

Voldemort couldn’t stop Harry Potter, but Matthew did. Three of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, Universal Studios (home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Walt Disney World and SeaWorld all made a rare decision to close their theme parks Thursday ahead of Hurricane Matthew’s arrival. Soggy tourists rushed to cram in a few […]

Scott PowersAugust 22, 2016

The entry-bell surge of political action committee money into new Democratic nominee Stephanie Murphy‘s campaign fund has triggered a similar rush of PAC money into the war chest of Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. John Mica in the Winter Park-based Florida’s 7th Congressional District. National Democrats signaled they’re taking Murphy’s candidacy seriously, compared with those of […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2016

The startling news that SeaWorld will stop breeding its captive orca whales and will phase out theatrical orca shows in favor of exhibits highlighting whales’ natural behaviors is an indicator of a broader trend in society. SeaWorld realized that making orcas do tricks in small concrete pools is no longer a sustainable business model. The company […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2016

In a major announcement, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. said Thursday it will stop breeding captive killer whales. On the company’s blog, the company said it’s phasing out over the next three years theatrical performances featuring orcas. “We will introduce new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows, as part of our ongoing commitment to education, marine […]

Scott PowersMarch 17, 2016

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Three years of pounding bad publicity about its orca programs have led SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Wednesday morning to announce the end of the theme park company’s iconic but controversial killer whale breeding program. The company announced early Wednesday that it would end the program and that the whales it has in captivity now would be its last. That […]

Associated PressFebruary 25, 2016

SeaWorld acknowledged that it sent its own workers to infiltrate an animal rights group which opposed the practices of the theme park. The development comes months after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals accused a SeaWorld employee of trying to incite violence while posing as a fellow animal rights activist. SeaWorld Entertainment CEO Joel […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2016

Orlando’s theme park behemoths – mostly Walt Disney companies – have already poured $2.77 million into campaign and political committees and parties for this election cycle so far, preferring Republicans by almost 3 to 1 over Democrats. Disney, as usual, leads the way, with a combination of cash and in-kind services (typically providing tickets or […]

Mike SchneiderDecember 29, 2015

A federal judge in San Diego has dismissed a class-action lawsuit brought by SeaWorld patrons who claimed they were deceived about how the marine park treats orcas and wanted refunds. The federal judge last week said that the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to bring the lawsuit on behalf of patrons of SeaWorld parks in San […]

Associated PressDecember 17, 2015

With the nation increasingly concerned about safety in public, three major theme parks announced Thursday that they are adding security measures including metal detectors ahead of the busy holiday season. Officials at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld’s Florida theme parks said all three parks will be using metal detector screening for guests as they enter. In […]

Tag: SeaWorld

Hurricane Matthew spares South Florida, pushes north

For tourists, storm is Hurricane Who Shall Not Be Named

PACs gearing up for John Mica-Stephanie Murphy in CD 7

Wayne Pacelle: Florida’s politicians need to embrace ‘humane economy’

Mitch Perry Report for 3.17.16 – SeaWorld takes seminal step for animal rights

SeaWorld ending orca breeding program; current killer whales will be its last

SeaWorld acknowledges planting worker in animal rights group

Orlando’s theme park companies pour at least $2.77 million into state politics

Judge dismisses lawsuit brought by SeaWorld patrons

Disney, other parks add metal detectors for the holidays