Disney dropping bid to have allergy-death lawsuit tossed because plaintiff signed up for Disney+
Disney says it will no longer ask a Florida court to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit on the grounds that the victim’s family had signed up for its streaming service Disney+.
Missing child alert helps deputies find Fort Lauderdale boy in Orange County
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a missing child alert Friday afternoon after a five-year-old boy from Fort Lauderdale vanished. Deputies in Orange County found the boy hours later.
Jury selected in trial of Florida woman accused of fatally shooting mother of 4
A jury of six men and two women were selected Tuesday for the trial of Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old Ocala woman accused of fatally shooting her Black neighbor last year, an incident that has sparked outrage and protests.
United Airlines jet makes unscheduled landing in Florida after a passenger fights with a crew member
A United Airlines jet from Miami to New Jersey made an unscheduled landing in Orlando, Florida, this week after a passenger became “aggressive and disruptive,” the airline said.
Orange County judge can stand trial for murder in wife's shooting death, judge says
A judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for a Southern California judge to stand trial on a murder charge in the shooting death of his wife.
With deal done, Disney withdraws lawsuit, ending last conflict with DeSantis and his appointees
Disney asked a federal appellate court to dismiss its lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday, a day after his appointees approved a deal with the company on how Walt Disney World will be developed over the next two decades, ending the last piece of conflict between the two sides.
Florida man sues Publix, CVS, Costco; claims Adderall caused psychosis
A Florida man is suing several companies on accusations that his prescription Adderall sent him into “psychosis,” according to court records filed on Wednesday.
‘Potential serial killer’ arrested after bodies of 2 women found in Orange County, sheriff says
A potential “prolific serial killer” was arrested Friday in Orange County after he was connected to the deaths of two women over the last two months, according to Sheriff John Mina.
Ex-deputy linked to fatal carjacking of Homestead woman seeks redemption: ‘I just want my life back’
A former Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Wednesday who was arrested and relieved of duty after investigators say he inserted himself into a fatal carjacking and shooting case of a Homestead woman is now sharing his side of the story.
Police: Cocaine bricks hidden in lamp help investigators working to solve 2 murders
Investigators knew someone used a lamp fixture to hide two cocaine bricks, and mailed the lamp from Puerto Rico to Osceola County. This helped them during an ongoing investigation to identify suspects in two murders in Central Florida.
Sheriff announces arrest of person of interest in Homestead woman’s killing
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma provided an update Friday afternoon on the investigation into the killing of a 31-year-old Homestead woman in his county.
Someone bought a $1M winning Powerball ticket at a Florida supermarket — here’s which one
A Florida grocery shopper is cashing out big after they won $1 million, before taxes anyway, playing the Powerball.
DeSantis signs bill combatting ‘squatters’ rights in Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Orlando Wednesday afternoon where he signed a bill aimed at addressing the escalating issue of squatters’ rights within the state, a problem increasingly affecting communities nationwide.
Fight between Disney and DeSantis appointees over district control gets a July court hearing
The court fight between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees over control of Walt Disney World’s government won’t be decided until at least this summer, provided the two sides don’t reach a settlement beforehand.
Police: Man sexually abused, killed his girlfriend’s teenage daughter in Florida
Deputies confirmed that a 13-year-old girl who had vanished on Monday in Orange County was found dead on Friday in the woods in Osceola County.
New York doctor’s husband suing Disney for negligence in wrongful death case
The husband of a New York doctor who died shortly after dining at a Disney Springs restaurant last year accused Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of negligence in a 19-page lawsuit filed in Florida.
Florida man turns $50 into $1 million playing Lottery scratch-off game at Publix
An Orange County man won a $1 million prize after playing the 500X The Cash scratch-off game, Florida Lottery officials confirmed Thursday.
9-year-old boy killed after crawling under school bus in Central Florida
Grief counselors visited two Orange County elementary schools Wednesday, one day after the Florida Highway Patrol says a school bus fatally struck a 9-year-old boy.
JetBlue flight from FLL to Boston diverted to Orlando after ‘violent’ passenger says he’s the ‘devil’
A JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Boston ended up diverted to Orlando over what its pilot said was a “disruptive, violent passenger” late Thursday.
Police: Florida man kills his estranged wife, tries to kill his ex-girlfriend
A 37-year-old Florida mother of four is dead and detectives accused her estranged husband of killing her and hiding her body for over a week.
Man arrested in Broward County for murder in Orlando no stranger to police
Trayvon Anthony Lamons is being held in the Broward County Jail after he was arrested Tuesday for murdering a man in Orlando, according to police.
Disney warns that if DeSantis wins lawsuit, others will be punished for ‘disfavored’ views
If Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wins a federal lawsuit in which Disney claims its free speech rights were violated by the Republican leader, the company won't be the last entity to be punished over supporting a “disfavored viewpoint,” Disney said in court papers on Monday.
11-year-old accused of shooting, injuring 2 teens at football practice is denied home detention
An 11-year-old who is accused of taking a gun from his mother’s vehicle and shooting two teens following an argument at football practice will remain in custody for three more weeks, a judge in Florida ruled Wednesday.
Woman sues Disney after ‘painful wedgie’ at Typhoon Lagoon waterpark
A woman filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Wednesday claiming she suffered serious injuries through a “painful wedgie” at Typhoon Lagoon years ago, according to court records.
Miya Marcano’s family sues Orange County Sheriff’s Office, accuses agency of negligence
The family of Miya Marcano, the Orange County woman who disappeared from her UCF-area apartment in September 2021 and was later found dead, is suing the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the two deputies initially handling her missing person case.
Florida woman cited for keeping alligator in resort bathtub
A woman in Orange County was cited after deputies learned she was keeping an alligator in a bathtub, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
2 accused of hanging antisemitic banner on Florida overpass surrender to face charges
Two people accused of hanging banners with swastikas and antisemitic messages on a Florida highway overpass have surrendered to face charges of violating a new state law that makes it a crime to display images on a structure without permission.
Police: Florida man admits to killing sister after fight over electric bill
A 37-year-old Florida man admitted to killing his 40-year-old sister after an argument over their electric bill, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Disney countersues in Florida court after oversight board pushes for judgment
The Walt Disney Company on Thursday filed a countersuit against the DeSantis-appointed board overseeing Disney property in Florida court, alleging breach of contract, and asked the court to declare the company the winner in this part of the ongoing feud between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Slain Florida man’s ex-wife arrested over murder-for-hire plot
Detectives arrested Shanna Gardner-Fernandez on Thursday in Washington after a grand jury indicted her for the murder last year in Florida of her ex-husband, who she had been fighting with over the custody of their twins since their divorce in 2015.
Community rallies around Orlando teen whose mother died in apparent murder-suicide
A community is coming together for a 15-year-old girl after she witnessed her mother die in an apparent murder-suicide in Orange County last month.
California judge who's charged with murder texted court staff that he shot his wife, prosecutors say
Prosecutors say a Southern California judge accused of killing his wife had texted his court clerk and bailiff afterward to say he had shot her.
Florida school board reverses decision nixing access to children’s book about a male penguin couple
Months after access to a popular children’s book about a male penguin couple hatching a chick was restricted at school libraries because of Florida’s so-called Don’t Say Gay law, a central Florida school district says it has reversed that decision.
Police release new video of suspect who Orlando officers fatally shot
A video police released on Monday shows Daton S. Viel — who police officers killed on Saturday in Central Florida after he shot two officers — running away from officers back in June.
Suspect killed in Orlando shooting that injured 2 officers may have had connection to Miami homicide
Authorities have confirmed that a 28-year-old man who was killed after shooting and injuring two Orlando police officers Friday was also accused of fatally shooting a man last month.
SWAT team kills suspect after 2 Orlando police officers shot during traffic stop, authorities say
Two Orlando police officers were shot and critically injured Friday night during a traffic stop connected to a Miami homicide investigation, prompting a massive search for two culprits, authorities said.
Farmers becomes latest company pulling out of Florida amid property insurance crisis
Farmers Insurance is leaving the Florida insurance market, becoming the latest company to do so, and impacting thousands of policyholders.
DeSantis proposes Disney trial schedule that puts start date in 2025, after elections
Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis have asked that a trial involving Disney be postponed until the middle of 2025, well after the GOP presidential nomination race wraps up and voters have picked a winner in the November 2024 general election.
Florida judge grants injunction against drag show law championed by DeSantis
A Florida judge granted an injunction on Friday for drag show restaurant Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando against a Florida law penalizing businesses letting children attend live performances considered to be “adult” in nature.
New York City sues 30 counties over 'xenophobic' orders banning migrant relocations
New York City has filed suit against dozens of counties over their refusal to take in new migrants, the latest escalation in an ongoing battle between the city and local leaders across the state.
Hamburger Mary’s sues Florida, claims adult performance law hurting business
A bill Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law involving adult entertainment and children, including drag shows, is already having a detrimental effect on at least one Orlando business and it is suing to stop the bill.
Disney scraps $1 billion development plan in Florida
Disney has canceled plans for a campus near the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, according to a memo sent by Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
4 arrested after 15-year-old worked as stripper at Florida club, police say
Four people were arrested after deputies said they trafficked a teen who had been working at an Orlando strip club since she was 15 years old.
2 Florida women become millionaires playing Lottery scratch off game
Two women from Central Florida became millionaires this week after they each won $1 million while playing the 300X The Cash scratch-off game, Florida Lottery officials confirmed Tuesday.
Residents of historically Black Florida town sue to stop land sale
One of the first historically Black towns in the U.S. is suing the local school board to stop the sale of land that is tied up with Florida’s legacy of racial segregation and the state's fast-paced growth nowadays.
Is Florida safe for Black people? Some at NAACP say it isn’t and want a travel advisory
A group of civil rights activists in Florida is urging Black people around the world to avoid visiting or moving to their state, and they want a recognizable travel advisory.
Landlord accused of hiring tenant to kill wife’s ex-husband in Florida, police say
A man is being held without bond on Friday after detectives accused him of hiring a man to kill his wife’s ex-husband, a father of four who was shot dead near his daughter just two days after Valentine’s Day last year.
BSO: 2 suspects face charges in connection with statewide burglaries
The Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Burglary Apprehension Team, also known as the BAT Unit, arrested two suspects Friday who they say are believed to be part of a group responsible for multiple burglaries throughout Florida.
Disney World board picked by DeSantis hints future actions
Five board members appointed by DeSantis on Wednesday hinted at future controversial actions they may take, including prohibiting COVID-19 restrictions at Disney World and eliminating two cities that were created when the Florida Legislature in 1967 approved the theme park resort’s self-governance.
WATCH: Brightline trains blast across Central Florida at 130 miles per hour during rigorous testing
With the long-awaited Miami-to-Orlando route starting in just months, Brightline continues important speed testing.
DeSantis signs bill stripping Disney’s self-governing status
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a a news conference in Lake Buena Vista Monday morning to sign new state legislation stripping Disney of its self-governing status in the state.
Police: Man’s Orlando area deadly shooting spree was ‘random’
Deputies released a body-cam video on Thursday showing deputies arresting a 19-year-old man who had shot and killed a woman before shooting four others Wednesday in Pine Hills, an Orange County community northwest of Orlando, according to deputies.
Police: Video shows deputy arrest man, 19, who killed girl, reporter, woman in Orlando area
Deputies released a body-cam video on Thursday showing deputies arresting a 19-year-old man who had shot and killed a woman before shooting four others Wednesday in Pine Hills, an Orange County community northwest of Orlando, according to deputies.
Universal raises hourly wage to $17, setting pace for parks
Universal Orlando Resort plans to raise its starting minimum wage by $2 to $17 an hour, becoming the wage leader among the big theme parks in central Florida, just as its crosstown rival, Walt Disney World, is in contract talks with service worker unions who are pushing to increase the starting hourly wage from $15 to $18.
High school sports group rethinks menstrual cycle questions
Facing blowback, the director of Florida’s high school sports governing body is backing away from using an eligibility form that requires female athletes to disclose their menstrual history in order to compete.
DeSantis-Disney feud continues to heat up; Governor claims company ’will pay its debt’
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Ocala on Wednesday where he answered questions about a bill that was introduced Monday, which would give Florida control of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, changing its name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Florida mother sues school district over OnlyFans controversy
A lawsuit has been filed against Orange County Public Schools, alleging the district banned a mother from volunteering in her child’s classroom due to her participation on adult websites.
4 burglars terrorize elderly woman while wearing clown masks, Florida deputies say
Four people have been arrested in central Florida after they terrorized an elderly woman while wearing clown masks, authorities announced.
Florida man bites officer after hitting another with car, dancing in traffic, police say
An Orlando man fleeing Winter Garden police struck an officer with a car and bit another on the leg Tuesday evening after causing thousands of dollars in property damage at a convenience store, arrest affidavits show.
Florida crops appear to escape damage from unusual cold
Florida’s citrus, fruit and vegetable crops appear to have escaped any widespread damage from some of the coldest weather in years, officials with state growers associations said Tuesday.
Florida woman, teen followed, beat, robbed man found shot to death, police say
A woman and a teen girl accused in the death of a man found shot in Orlando in October pursued the victim before beating, stabbing, shooting and robbing him, according to police.
Florida man, 19, dies after shooting at high school football game
A community is grieving on Sunday after a shooting killed a 19-year-old man at the end of a high school football game on Saturday night in Orlando, police said.
California hit by rain, snow, tornado on Election Day
One person died and two others were missing in a raging stream channel as a powerful storm pounded California with rain and snow on Election Day, while a tornado touched down in Sacramento County.
Miami man accused of attempted murder after ramming car into Orlando-area home, deputies say
A Miami man was arrested early Monday after ramming his vehicle into an Orange County home, endangering the seven people inside, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
WILD VIDEO: Pursuit on Florida highway ends in arrest
Video released by the Florida Highway Patrol shows a wanted person being arrested Wednesday following a pursuit on State Road 528 which started in Brevard County and ended in Orange County.
Ruptured oil pipeline off California approved for repairs
A federal agency has given a Texas oil company approval to repair a pipeline that ruptured a year ago and spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude off the Southern California coast.
Rescues underway as Hurricane Ian inundates Orlando area
Ian marched across central Florida on Thursday as a tropical storm after battering the state’s southwest coast, dropping heavy rains that caused flooding and led to inland rescues and evacuations.
NAACP leader in Florida quits over ‘racist marginalization’
The president of a local NAACP branch in Florida has resigned, saying that as a South Asian woman she was racially marginalized by others in the civil rights group.
Landlords try to stop rent control initiative in Florida
Ballots haven’t even been printed yet, but already a group of landlords, apartment managers and real estate agents in Florida are trying to stop voters from deciding on a measure that would implement rent control for a year in the theme park hub that has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. The Florida Apartment Association and the Florida Association of Realtors last week sued Orange County, Florida in an attempt to halt a ballot initiative aimed at limiting how much...
Video shows plane fly by drivers before crashing into fence in Orange County
Witnesses recorded videos of a 1956 Cessna 182 flying near cars before crashing into a fence on Friday afternoon in Orange County.