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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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...