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More than a year and a half after the Pulse massacre, first responders still struggle with the trauma
Editor’s note: A clarification was appended on Jan. 25, 2018 regarding Cpl. Delgado’s employment. Every night for the past 19 months, Omar Delgado has had the same exact nightmare. He’s back inside Pulse. He’s dragging someone who’s still alive through blood and glass, away from the slaughtered bodies strewn across the dance floor under the…
Orange County teachers plan to ‘teach to the contract’ in protest of unpaid labor
Orange County teachers plan to “teach to the contract” for a week next month in protest of the unpaid labor that is required for their jobs. At a meeting of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association earlier this week, union leaders decried teachers’ working conditions, which they say ultimately affects their students’ learning conditions in…
Yo Yo Ma to play with the Orlando Philharmonic in May
Few classical musicians have crossed over into the mainstream in the way that legendary cellist Yo Yo Ma has. From collaborations with John Williams and Bobby McFerrin to his Silk Road Ensemble and being named a U.N. Peace Ambassador, Yo Yo Ma has worn many, many hats. And now Orlando music fans will have a…
Tapa Toro’s Wendy Lopez unleashes epic 12-course chef’s table menu this month
Since its opening, I-Drive 360 has been a hit with tourists, but continues to attract locals looking for a little diversion from the 24-hour-news cycle and a really good meal. Tapa Toro was one of the original tenants under the Orlando Eye, and under the leadership and creative spark of executive chef Wendy Lopez, it…
CFAM curator Amy Galpin is leaving Orlando and we are very sad
In a blow to the local arts community, Amy Galpin announced today that she will leave the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and, following in LeBron’s footsteps, take her talents to Miami. The curator of Rollins College’s museum has been named chief curator at the Frost Art Museum, located at Miami’s Florida International University, and plans…
Disney will give 125,000 workers cash bonuses, but Orlando unions want pay raise
The Walt Disney Company will be giving 125,000 employees a one-time cash bonus of $1,000 each and will invest $50 million to create a higher education program for workers. The mass media and entertainment conglomerate credited these initiatives as a result of the GOP tax reform that massively reduced the corporate tax rate from 35…
Orlando DACA recipients hope for truth in shutdown truce with Trump and GOP
The weekend-long federal government furlough was more sideshow than shutdown – and in the end, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients are still without a fix as their futures grow more uncertain with each passing day. On Friday, it seemed as though Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, and his fellow Democrats had…
Racial profiling fears raised with Florida’s new texting bill
Race and ethnicity would have to be recorded by law-enforcement officers when ticketing motorists for texting while driving, under a measure that continued moving through the Senate on Tuesday. The requirement about recording race and ethnicity was added to the bill (SB 90), which would strengthen Florida’s ban on texting while driving to make it…
One of the coolest historic downtown buildings was just donated to the City of Orlando
The Rogers Building, an incredibly cool 130-year-old Victorian structure in the heart of downtown Orlando, was just donated to the City under the condition it be used for the arts for the next 20 years. Today, the Orlando City Council formally accepted the donation from owner Ford W. Kiene, chairman of City Beverages. “The city…
Floridians will decide on restoring voting rights to 1.5 million former felons
Floridians will get to decide this November on restoring the voting rights of about 1.5 million formerly convicted felons who are permanently banned from voting. The “Voting Restoration Amendment” will appear on the ballot this fall as Amendment 4. The measure would automatically restore the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they have…
A ‘take a knee’ protest, march and rally is planned for Orlando’s Pro Bowl
In an effort to show solidarity for victims of police brutality, protesters will be taking a knee outside of the Orlando Police Department during the 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando. Organized by the National Action Network, and a number of other activist groups, the Take a Knee for Justice protest will take place Sunday, Jan.…
A ‘Despicable Me’ mini-land is rumored to be in the works at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando has confirmed an aggressive expansion plan that includes multiple new attractions every year for the foreseeable future, but there’s still plenty of discussion on what those attractions will be. A Super Nintendo-themed land has been confirmed with an expected opening date around 2021 and an expansion of Hogsmeade that will include a family-friendly…
Indie rockers Modest Mouse announce Orlando show for April
Washington state indie rock luminaries Modest Mouse just announced a U.S. tour set for this spring, with Orlando being one of the first couple of shows of the two-month trek! The only other Florida show scheduled is in St. Augustine. Modest Mouse will play the Hard Rock Live on Friday, April 20, at 8 p.m.…
New details emerge on the future of Artegon Marketplace
The ongoing saga that is Artegon got a lot more interesting last week when a couple of South Florida family entertainment center co-owners bought it and promised big things. Dezer Development is a South Florida real estate development company known for Trump-branded condo towers and their founder’s massive private car collection. Since purchasing the failed…
Britney Spears will bring her ‘Piece of Me’ summer tour to Florida
Pop icon Britney Spears just announced a limited European and East Coast tour of her Las Vegas show “Piece of Me,” and Florida will get just three performances. Unfortunately, Central Florida isn’t in the mix, but Britney will be doing three nightly shows in a row at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, from July…
Slayer’s farewell tour is coming to Orlando this summer
West Coast thrash metal forefathers Slayer have decided it’s time to throw in the Satanic towel, but are doing so with typical metal flair. The band announced a massive farewell tour beginning in May with one solo Florida show, and it’s in Orlando. On this trek, Slayer will be joined by Testament, Lamb of God,…
Orlando is getting another inflatable water park
Orlando will soon have not one, but two inflatable water parks. Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC) will bring a new inflatable water park attraction to their existing wakeboard/waterski facility sometime this spring, the company recently announced in a press release. The inflatable attraction, created by Wiblit Sports, will provide climbing areas, slides, monkey bars and more.…
Florida Senate panel backs scholarships for bullied students
Students who are victims of bullying or sexual harassment would be eligible for voucher-like scholarships to attend private schools under a bill approved Monday by the Senate Education Committee. Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who is sponsoring the legislation (SB 1172), said the “Hope Scholarship” program is designed to “empower” families when they find…
Florida Supreme Court rejects 10 death penalty appeals
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals by 10 Death Row inmates, including a man scheduled to be executed Feb. 22 in the 1993 slaying of a University of West Florida student. The Supreme Court’s release of 10 nearly identical rulings at the same time was a somewhat-unusual move. But each of the cases…
Kasa’s new Mexican concept Chela opens today for Taco Tuesday
After nearly a month of being closed, the restaurant formerly known as Kasa Tapas and Raw Bar is reopening today as Chela Tequila and Tacos. To celebrate Taco Tuesday, the new spot is offering a $3 taco lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For dinner, Chela will debut their new $15 all-you-can-eat taco menu (which includes skirt…
Immigration authorities boarded a bus in Florida, asked passengers for IDs, and took a woman into custody
On Friday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency boarded a Greyhound bus in Fort Lauderdale to ask passengers for legal documents that proved their citizenship, the Florida Immigrant Coalition claims. A black woman of Caribbean descent, who asked that FLIC withhold her name due to fear of retaliation, was detained in the process. A…
New patent suggests Disney may give ‘Frozen’ the Harry Potter interactive wand treatment
In the quest to make retail and theme parks ever more interactive, Disney filed a new patent application that hints at plans to finally respond to the popular interactive wands over at Universal Studios. The new “Location-Based Experience with Interactive Merchandise” patent application was filed earlier this month. It gives details on numerous merchandise items…
Death spurs Florida lawmakers to consider new regulations for airboat operators
Commercial airboat operators would have to complete a state-approved course before taking on passengers under a measure —- named for a 22-year-old woman killed last year —- that started moving through the Senate on Monday. But support from members of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee came after the proposal (SB 1612) was watered…
Erasure is coming to the Dr. Phillips Center this summer
U.K. synth stalwarts Erasure are coming to Orlando this summer. Erasure, which consists of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, are touring of their latest album, World Be Gone. Erasure headline the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, July 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $34.50 and…
The UCF football team will be honored at Orlando’s 2018 Pro Bowl
To celebrate the team’s perfect season, University of Central Florida’s “national championship” squad will be honored at the 2018 Pro Bowl here in Orlando. The UCF Knights will be acknowledged by the NFL after the first quarter of the game, says a statement from Florida Citrus Sports. The Pro Bowl will take place 3 p.m. Sunday,…
Hall & Oates and Train are coming to Orlando
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Hall & Oates, who are actually two separate people and not one guy named Holland Oates, are saddling up with Train and bringing their summer tour to Orlando. The pairing will perform at the Amway Center June 26. Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 29. [location-1] Related Stories
Interior Secretary apparently went ‘rogue’ in exempting Florida from offshore drilling plan
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is in the White House hot seat after he went “rogue” in the decision to exempt Florida from expanded offshore drilling, reports Axios. According to the report, President Donald Trump was not pleased. Not long after the calendar rolled into 2018, Zinke announced his intention to overturn an Obama-era ban…
Thousands attend intersectional reckoning at Orlando Women’s March
As she looked out in the crowd of thousands gathered at Lake Eola Park on Sunday, Sheena Meade said it was time to address the “elephant in the room.” The former Florida House candidate was a speaker during the first women’s march that erupted in Orlando in 2017 after President Donald Trump was sworn into…
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen set to return to Orlando this summer
CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen are bringing their AC2 show back to Orlando this summer. The two-way interview show will be live at Dr. Phillips Center on Saturday, June 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.75 and go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. Cooper and Cohen have been…
Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Schoolboy Q are coming to Florida this May
If you’re hoping to see the Grammy-nominated rapper Kendrick Lamar in Orlando, you’re going to have to sit down and humbly wait. However, the Top Dawg Entertainment tour is coming to Florida this spring. “TDE: The Championship Tour,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Schoolboy Q, is coming to the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa on…
Florida Gov. Rick Scott criticizes U.S. senators, but not Trump over government shutdown
Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s answer for who’s to blame for the federal government shutdown: Not his fellow GOP confidante President Donald Trump, but a “group of senators.” It’s not clear who exactly that group of senators might consist of. Even so, an inconspicuous finger could be pointed in the direction of Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson,…
‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard will sing Luther Vandross hits in Orlando this spring
American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is starring in the “Always & Forever: An Evening of Luther Vandross” tour this spring, and there’s an Orlando stop in the mix. The Grammy-nominated artist will perform the Vandross hits on May 10 at Hard Rock Live. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. and you can find…
Florida man finds alligator outside his home, decides to wrestle it
Hey, sometimes you might feel you have to wrestle an alligator. Bokeelia resident Michael Stauffer recently found a gator in his backyard, and rather than contacting the proper authorities, he decided to grab a broom and towel and wrestle it into submission. Using the towel to obscure its view and duct tape to wrap his…
Rapper David Banner will speak at the Zora Neal Hurston Festival this weekend
Renowned hip-hop musician, producer, activist and cultural critic David Banner will be making a very special one-off appearance in Orlando this weekend as part of the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities. Banner will sit down with NPR host Joshua Johnson (“1A”) for what will no doubt be a very wide-ranging and…
Someone please leak the Copper Rocket ‘Bar Rescue’ episode
Back in March of 2017, the Copper Rocket Pub in Maitland was “rescued” by Jon Taffer and his Spike TV reality show Bar Rescue, and for some reason this episode has yet to air. Last season (Season 5) came to a close without a single clip of host Jon Taffer smashing plates or yelling his…
Mickey Mouse might be losing his voice in Orlando
There are now strong indications that the popular “Talking Mickey” meet-and-greet at the Magic Kingdom will be ending this May. The interactive Mickey Mouse debuted at the Magic Kingdom in 2013 after testing at Disneyland for around three years. Guests join Mickey in his dressing room at the Town Square Theater where they play a…
Tartine Wine Bar & Eaterie starts new breakfast-lunch menu today, dinner to come in February
The corner College Park space formerly known as Croissant Gourmet, now called Tartine Wine Bar & Eaterie, will debut its new breakfast and lunch menu today. Chef Pete Morales, who recently helmed F&D Kitchen and Bar in Lake Mary, is the new top man in the back of the house. Correction: Husband-wife chef duo Jaimie…
With new construction walls up at Magic Kingdom, could this be the first sign of Club 33?
Last year, Disney confirmed that it will bring the ultra-premium private members-only lounge Club 33 to Walt Disney World. The original Club 33 is hidden in the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. There are also locations within Tokyo Disneyland and at the Shanghai Disney resort. While Disney has confirmed that the members-only club will…
Band of the Week: Sick Dogs
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s “Band of the Week.” Every week, we highlight one of our favorite local bands. This week, we’re pleased to bring you Sick Dogs. Sick Dogs are playing Friday, Jan. 26 at Will’s Pub for Norsekorea’s 7th Anniversary Show, with the Sh-Booms, Golden Pelicans, and the Woolly Bushmen. Just the facts: When…
Enzian takes a look at groundbreaking ranchera singer with screening of ‘Chavela’
First and foremost there is the voice. Ahead of the myths, the life, even the songs themselves, the (broken) heart of the matter is that voice, a deep, raw, almost sepulchral growl that transcends gender and goes to depths most of us fear to even acknowledge. Androgynous ranchera singer Chavela Vargas came to prominence in…
New Milk District venue Iron Cow finding live-music legs with Rocko English and .org
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Rocko English and .org, Iron Cow, Jan. 17 I’ll get to the bands, but the bigger local story is this new spot. You’ll see a similar intro from me an unusual amount in the coming months because of a mass infusion of new venues due to contend in the near future. It’s…
Rick Scott schedules execution for Florida inmate convicted of killing UWF student
Gov. Rick Scott has scheduled the execution date of convicted killer and rapist Eric Scott Branch for Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. Branch was found guilty of raping and strangling University of West Florida student Susan Morris in 1993. The Pensacola News Journal reports Branch attacked the 21-year-old as she walked to her car on…
Trump official says offshore oil drilling in Florida still being considered
Despite U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s declaration last week that Florida wouldn’t be considered as part of a White House offshore oil-drilling proposal, waters near the state’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts may continue to be under review. But that all depends on how to interpret comments from Walter Cruickshank, the acting director of the Interior…
Kaia Kater proves why she could be the most now folk artist to emerge
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Women in Song feat. Kaia Kater, Plaza Live, Jan. 17 The young Kaia Kater was the latest feature in the second season of the bright, intersectional Women in Song series by the Orlando Philharmonic. On paper alone – a biracial Québécoise of African-Caribbean descent – she comes with the automatic potential to…
Florida police officers caught disconnecting suspect’s surveillance cameras
Privacy is a right, right? That’s what one Indian River County man assumed prior to the day his surveillance cameras caught Vero Beach police outside his front door, attempting to disconnect said cameras. As a result, the tenant says his privacy has been violated. In August 2017, Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey says his…
Op-Ed: Trump’s recent comments on immigrants may impact the housing market in Orange County
As the news cycle shuffles through another period of President Donald Trump’s latest brash of words, I’m still focused on the cacophony to emit from his mouth recently. While speaking with lawmakers about immigration, Trump derailed the meeting by calling African and Central American countries a “shithole.” It was crass and embarrassing, to say the…
U.S. Attorney continues to prosecute 59 inaugural protesters and journalists
On Thursday, federal prosecutors in Washington D.C. dropped charges against 129 of the 188 people facing rioting charges during protests of Donald Trump’s inauguration last January. The decision comes after a jury found all six of the defendants in the first round of trials not guilty on all charges on Dec. 21. “The U.S. Attorney…
Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy says she’ll return her salary if government shuts down
While the Republican-controlled federal government seems to be at a stalemate over a yearly budget, congresswoman and Winter Park resident Stephanie Murphy says she’ll return her salary if a shutdown does indeed happen. “I came to Washington to hold Congress accountable to the American people. Members from both parties should not get paid if they…
First show at Orlando’s new Blackstar complex announced
The first official event has been announced for the new Blackstar complex downtown and it’s a good harbinger of things to come. The eclectic lineup of locals Wet Nurse, Brooklyn’s Tingy Thick, and Gainesville’s UV-TV (whose appearance last year at Stardust went down as one of our Concerts of the Year) will headline Blackstar’s Odd…
Fall Out Boy set to play Orlando in September
Pop-punk heroes Fall Out Boy have just announced a robust round of touring later this year behind their seventh album, M A N I A — out today — and an Orlando date is a go. The band will be bringing Machine Gun Kelly with them on all dates and have confirmed rotating openers Gym Class…
UCF extends in-state tuition rates to Puerto Rican students for another year
The University of Central Florida is extending in-state tuition to evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least another year. The UCF Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend the tuition reduction for students displaced by Hurricane Maria until the spring 2019 semester. In-state tuition will also apply to Puerto Rican…
Journey and Def Leppard are coming to Florida, just not Orlando
Two of the world’s most celebrated classic rock bands, Journey and Def Leppard, are teaming up for a 60-date North American tour and they’re coming to Florida – but not here. The tour stops in Fort Lauderdale Aug. 17 at the BB&T Center, and in Tampa on Aug. 18 at Amalie Arena. This partnership is not…
Hulk Hogan on running for U.S. Senate in Florida: ‘At this moment, it’s a flat-out no’
Hulk Hogan, a former professional professional wrestler and a man who’s “only racist to a point” says he has indeed “thought about” running for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida, but at the moment it is “a flat-out no.” Earlier this week, former Trump advisor Roger Stone said he was “lobbying” Hogan to run against…
Dr. Dog announces new album and a stop in Orlando
For the first time in two years Dr. Dog, a Philadelphia-rooted indie-rock band, will be going on tour. They’ll be supporting their new album, Critical Equation, and hitting Orlando along the way. The band will perform at the Plaza Live April 13 with special guest Kyle Craft. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, Jan. 19,…
Attorney General Pam Bondi says Florida could jump into legal fight over opioids
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday said Florida could soon pursue legal action against manufacturers and distributors of opioids. Bondi is working with a coalition of state attorneys general in seeking information about the distribution, marketing and sale of opioids from major manufacturers and distributors. The state hasn’t filed suit. But Bondi’s agency last…
Richard Corcoran rejects state aid for Miami to lure Amazon
After playing the key role in reducing and revamping Florida’s economic development program last year, House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Thursday he has no interest in developing a state incentive plan to bring Amazon’s new headquarters to Florida. Florida suddenly became a contender for the giant online retailer’s second headquarters — dubbed HQ2 by Amazon…
Have your faith in the future restored at Emerald City Cabaret’s sci-fi burlesque at the Venue
Emerald City Cabaret must be in an optimistic mood since the New Year, since they’re devoting their next burlesque show to the concept of the future. If it were us planning a show about the future, it’d just be a bunch of radioactive mutants crying tears of blood on a dusty stage lit only by…
Wally’s hosts a punk show this weekend, saving you a trip across Mills
What’s more Mills Avenue than punk shows and trips to Wally’s? How about a punk show inside Wally’s? St. Pete’s Teacher Teacher brings it garagey, loud and snotty in the … uh, “intimate” confines of Orlando’s greatest dive. Locals Problem Pack and the Palmettes round out the night. Remember to bring cash. 9 p.m. Saturday;…
Ongaku Overdrive showcases some of the best in nerdcore at the Geek Easy
The Geek Easy hosts the latest show from local nerdcore promoters Ongaku Overdrive this weekend. NYC rapper Schaffer the Darklord headlines, along with Atlanta’s Tribe One and locals Marc With a C and EyeQ. Come for plenty of video game and comic references worthy of the setting; stay for the deft lyricism and 8-bit beats.…
There’s still plenty to rally for at the Women’s March Anniversary at Lake Eola
If you weren’t already going to the second annual Women’s March in downtown Orlando this weekend, President Donald Trump saying, “Why do we want all these people from shithole countries coming here?” should have you galloping to your nearest craft store and buying pounds of glitter for all those protest signs you’ll need to make.…
Monster Jam roars back into Camping World Stadium this weekend
Grab your earplugs and floor the accelerator all the way over to Camping World Stadium for an evening full of torque, twisted metal and raw motorsports, as the monster truck extravaganza Monster Jam comes to town. There’s nothing that can make you feel more alive than the rumble and growl of giant engines rattling you…
Florida lawmakers could change payday loan rules
Florida lawmakers have started moving forward with a proposal to revamp rules for the payday-loan industry, allowing customers to borrow larger amounts of money over longer periods of time. The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee unanimously approved the changes Wednesday, a day after a Senate committee backed the Senate version. The proposal, in part, would…
Florida Senate releases revamped sexual harassment policy
The Florida Senate released a revamped sexual harassment policy Thursday, after sex scandals rocked the chamber and led to the resignations of two prominent senators. Former Sen. Jack Latvala announced his resignation last month following the release of an investigative report that recommended a criminal probe into allegations the Clearwater Republican had promised legislative favors…
Florida lawmakers push for LGBTQ workplace protections
A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers is pushing for LGBTQ workplace protections for state and private employees. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act, proposed by Democratic Rep. Ben Diamond and Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in lodging establishments, restaurants and other public accommodations. The bill revises Florida’s civil…
Florida’s new ‘higher-speed’ train Brightline killed two people in one week
All Aboard Florida’s new “higher-speed” train debuted last weekend and has already struck and killed two people. According to the Sun Sentinel, a train hit and killed a bicyclist Wednesday in the Boynton Beach area. No other details were released. However, an attorney for the family is looking into whether a guardrail was operating properly.…
Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Huynh cheffing at Morimoto Asia
Things are getting interesting inside the kitchen of Morimoto Asia. It seems that former Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Hyunh is now the restaurant’s chef de cuisine. Yuhi Fujinaga still serves as Morimoto Asia’s executive chef, but the question that immediately comes to mind is how long will a high-profile chef such as Huynh…
Charlie Minn’s documentary ’49 Pulses’ debuts in Orlando next week
Filmmaker Charlie Minn will be debuting his documentary 49 Pulses at Orlando Fashion Square Mall theater on Friday, Jan. 26. The film looks back on the 2016 mass shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse where a gunman killed 49 people and injured at least 68 people. Minn has focused his documentary on the testimonies of…
Floridians favor the popular vote over the Electoral College, poll says
A new poll finds that more than two-thirds of voters in Florida think presidential elections should be decided by who wins the popular vote. The poll, conducted by Florida Atlantic University and commissioned by the League of Women Voters of Florida, surveyed 1,000 registered voters across the Sunshine State on how they thought the U.S.…
Chicago rapper CupcakKe will play Orlando in March
Ferocious Chicago rapper CupcakKe has announced ONE lone Florida date for 2018 and luckily for every citizen of the City Beautiful, it’s happening here. Her twin 2016 mixtapes, Cum Cake and STD (Shelters to Deltas), were both lauded by Rolling Stone as “Best Rap Albums of 2016,” and she just released new album Ephorize. Few…
Sen. Marco Rubio pushes new bipartisan Russia sanctions bill
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen have co-introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide more power to Congress instead of the president for the purpose of sanctioning Russia over election interference. The bill is a product of conclusions by numerous U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia tried to meddle in the…
Anna Eskamani makes cover of TIME featuring first-time women candidates
Florida House candidate Anna Eskamani is one of 48 first-time women candidates for public office featured on the cover of the Jan. 29 issue of TIME magazine. The cover story, dubbed “The Avengers” by TIME correspondent Charlotte Alter, profiled key individuals inspired by the Women’s March that have formed a grassroots movement supporting first-time female…
Voodoo Doughnut opening at Universal CityWalk this spring
The rumors are true: Voodoo Doughnut is bringing their talents to Florida. No opening date beyond “spring 2018” has been announced. The cult-favorite gourmet doughnut shop (motto: “The magic is in the hole”) exploded out of Portland 15 years years ago and now has multiple Oregon locations as well as shops in Austin, Denver and…
Lynx now offers free bus rides for UCF students
UCF’s Parking and Transportation department has struck a new deal with the bus system Lynx, offering UCF students and faculty members free bus rides anywhere in Orlando. The Lynx partnership “will provide alternative transportation to the main campus, downtown and anywhere that Lynx operates” said Krishna Singh, director of Parking and Transportation Services at UCF.…
Orlando declares intent to bid to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic marathon trials
Announced last week by USA Track and Field, the city of Orlando has entered bids to host the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon. Orlando joins cities like Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Chattanooga, Tennessee in declaring their intent. “To have four new bidders for the Olympic Trials Marathon speaks to the attractiveness of the property and…
Orlando lawmakers want increased protections for reproductive health clinics
Two Orlando lawmakers called Wednesday for passage of legislation that would increase penalties for people who threaten and intimidate women who use reproductive-health clinics or providers who work at the clinics. At a news conference in Tallahassee, Rep. Amy Mercado, D-Orlando, said women have to worry about their personal safety when going to the clinics.…
Sean Hannity just endorsed Rep. Ron DeSantis for Florida governor
Sean Hannity – Keurig coffee smasher, defender of accused child molesters, and sentient block of cheese at Fox News – now “enthusiastically” endorses Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis. Speaking on his radio show Wednesday, Hannity didn’t hold back his love for the Trump-defending “Russia is BS fake news” congressman. “I’ve known you all these years, I cannot…
Central Florida medical marijuana firm sold in $43 million deal
A New York-based company has purchased a Central Florida pot operation for $43 million in cash and stock, amid expectations that the industry will explode following the voter-approved legalization of medical marijuana more than a year ago. iAnthus Capital Management purchased the assets of GrowHealthy Holdings, a Lake Wales marijuana operator affiliated with McCrory’s Sunny…
Orlando loses bid to become Amazon’s second headquarters
The City of Orlando lost its bid to become the home of Amazon’s second headquarters Thursday after the shipping giant released a list of 20 cities that made the final cut. Miami was the only city in Florida among the finalists. The other major metropolitans still in the race for Amazon HQ2 include Atlanta, Austin, Boston,…
Country queen Miranda Lambert holds court at Amway Center
Even though mainstream country radio seems dead-set on playing as few female artists as possible, Miranda Lambert is a voice they can’t ignore. Fifteen years into her career, Lambert is possibly the only solo female country artist who could convince a major label to let her cut and release a double album, The Weight of…
The Hate Bombs reunite for a show in Thornton Park
Born in the acid-washed days of the early ’90s, the Hate Bombs’ brand of retro surf garage helped till the local musical soil, proving that Central Florida could produce more than just breaks DJs and Disney Channel stars. Though the members are now separated by distance and the responsibilities of middle age, they still manage…
Orlando Indie Comedy Fest announces headliners and dates
The Orlando Indie Comedy Fest returns for its fourth year in a couple of months, taking over venues across town Thursday-Sunday, March 1-4. Today, the festival announced three of its four headliners – Sam Tallent, Janelle James and Rhea Butcher – keeping its closing headliner for Sunday, March 4, secret for now. Sam Tallent –…
Orlando Public Library offers deep discounts at its Winter Book Sale
Books, books, books – come and get your books and DVDs of all genres as well as other materials suitable for all ages at the annual Winter Book Sale at the Orlando Public Library, all temporarily available for half-off through the weekend, with all proceeds going to the Orange County Library System. 10 a.m. Friday…
Florida lawmaker files bill to create ‘national champion’ license plates for UCF
For the past few weeks University of Central Florida fans have been trying to get some type recognition for their perfect 2017 football season. This has lead to a movement within the Florida legislature to get a bill passed allowing for specialty license plates claiming UCF as “national champions.” HB 1359, was filed last week…
Anti-gambling measure bankrolled by Disney goes on Florida ballot
Florida voters could make decisions in the future about casino-style gambling, including slot machines, under a proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the November ballot. The “Voter Control of Gambling Amendment,” largely bankrolled by a Disney company and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, would require voter approval for any form of casino gambling, an…
Local publisher Bonnier Corp. lays off 30 employees in Winter Park, shutters five mags
Today print magazines suffered another painful public slashing at Bonnier Corporation*, based in Winter Park. Five of the publisher’s magazines were closed altogether, and the flagship Saveur, long the best-known among Bonnier’s dozens of special-interest titles, was gutted. An e-mail was sent at 10 a.m. from CEO Eric Zinczenko to employees letting them know that…
New bill would require Florida couples to read a ‘marriage guide’ before getting hitched
In need of marriage advice prior to your the big day? Just ask the Florida Legislature. Earlier this month, Rep. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, filed the “Florida Guide to a Healthy Marriage” bill, which would prohibit couples from getting a marriage license in Florida until it’s verified that they’ve read the state’s new handy dandy guide…
Central Florida lawmaker wants Rick Scott to remove Aramis Ayala from a botched murder-for-hire case
A Central Florida lawmaker is asking Gov. Rick Scott to remove Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from a botched murder-for-hire case. In a letter to Scott, state Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, said he wants the governor to reassign the case of Janice Zengotita-Torres to a state attorney “willing to pursue the death penalty.” The…
Tin and Taco is expanding to the SoDo neighborhood
A year after debuting in downtown Orlando, Tin & Tacos is expanding south. Announced on their Facebook page, the craft taco is branching out and will open a new location sometime soon in SoDo (south of downtown). No exact date or location has been announced. Tin & Taco features creative tacos that can be also…
Winter Park Biscuit Co. popping up at East End Market serving vegan breakfast
Mary Mattern is really out to establish a meatless presence in this cow town. You’ll recall Mattern — former road chef for Blink-182 — and her soon-to-be husband — Day to Remember guitarist Neil Westfall — will open the highly anticipated Heirloom Deli later this year. A location for the all-vegan eatery is yet to…
Trump returns to Mar-a-Lago Friday for third visit to Florida this month
President Donald Trump just can’t get enough of golfing in the Sunshine State. The Palm Beach Post reports Trump is returning to Mar-a-Lago for the third time this month on Friday, Jan. 19 and staying until Sunday, Jan. 21. During his last visit to the Palm Beach oceanside resort on Monday, Trump abstained from performing…
Puerto Rican school rejoices as electricity returns 112 days after Hurricane Maria
Students and teachers at a Puerto Rico school jumped and screamed in rejoice as the power finally returned to their building more than 112 days after Hurricane Maria left the island without electricity. Many residents on the U.S. territory still remain in the dark more than four months after the storm knocked out Puerto Rico’s…
New Found Glory is coming to Orlando this spring
Pop-punk stalwarts New Found Glory just announced their “Sick Tour” set for later this year, and are fitting an Orlando show into a crowded run of North American dates. The band will be touring behind their newest album Makes Me Sick (wait, I get it), with a stacked lineup of touring comrades: Bayside, Movielife, and…
22 free shows happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, Jan. 17 Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. Reggae Night with Hor!zen and DJ Red I 10 pm at the Caboose, 1827 N. Orange Ave. Thursday, Jan. 18 Thursday Jazz Jams 8 pm at Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Leisure Chief 10:30…
Gods & Monsters screens Jim Jarmusch’s hipster vampire treat ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ for free
It’s strange to think that Jim Jarmusch’s 2013 film, Only Lovers Left Alive, a dreamlike love note to and revision of vampire mythologies, isn’t available on any of the major streaming services. But then again, a film full of luxurious, lingering shots of titular vampiric lovers Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton) perusing their…
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz says Haiti is full of ‘sheet metal and garbage’
Everyone’s least favorite Northwest Florida lawmaker is at it again, and this time he’s trolling virtually every reasonable individual who didn’t appreciate the president’s alleged “shithole countries” remarks. Which is to say Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, is pretty much trolling everyone. On Tuesday night, during an interview with Chris Hayes on MSNBC, Gaetz…
Candy Chang discusses her acclaimed ‘Before I Die’ project at Rollins College
Sometimes the simplest questions are the most profound. We’ll admit to feeling that Candy Chang’s Before I Die project – a chalkboard wall on which viewers are encouraged to share their top bucket-list goals – was, well, a bit simplistic when we first experienced it at the Creative City Project in 2012. But the enthusiasm…
Snow fell in Florida for the third time this year
Ice & snow… blanketing the ground, roofs & cars in Brent!! ❄️ #NWFL #FLwx #ArcticBlast #Pensacola @weartv pic.twitter.com/iMB50dH073 — Jaclyn Kelley WEAR (@JKelleyTV) January 17, 2018 This morning, a winter storm brought snow to northern Florida for the third time this year. This is a first in seven years, since 2010-2011, where multiple snow and…
Democrat Sean Shaw enters race for Florida Attorney General
State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat and the son of the first black chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, entered the campaign for attorney general Tuesday and took issue with the performance of outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi. Shaw announced his candidacy outside the Florida Supreme Court, where his father, the late Leander…
Florida Senate panel advances plan to help first responders with PTSD
A Senate panel on Tuesday gave the nod to a bill that would help first responders receive workers’ compensation insurance benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder without accompanying physical injuries. Sen. Lauren Book, a Plantation Democrat who is sponsoring the bill (SB 376), said more firefighters commit suicide than die in the line of work. Additionally,…
Roger Stone wants Hulk Hogan to run for U.S. Senate in Florida
Roger Stone, a former Trump advisor and man under scrutiny by the FBI for collusion with the Russians, says he’s “lobbying” former wrestler Hulk Hogan to run for U.S. Senate in Florida. Yes, that Hulk Hogan, an admitted racist whose legacy was stripped from WWE after he was caught spewing an N-word-riddled rant on tape,…
Marc With a C’s new album ‘Obscurity’ displays nostalgia for the illusion of unity that pop culture once provided
When I first started writing this column nearly a decade ago, many of my early subjects were so-called “geek culture” events like comic book conventions and video game tournaments. Back then, those were niche topics, but today the nerds have had their revenge, with superheroes and sci-fi emerging from the underground to dominate mainstream entertainment.…
Savage Love ‘Bloody Business’
I’m a professional dominatrix, and I thought I’d seen everything in the last five years. But this situation completely baffled the entire dungeon. This middle-aged guy, seemingly in fine health, booked an appointment with me and my colleague for one hour of some very light play and a golden shower to finish off with. We…
Book of Love return after nearly three decades, plus the Baker-Barganier Duo, and more
BOOK OF LOVE, THE SOCIAL, JAN. 14 In the ’80s, Book of Love rocked the bells for some of us even more than LL Cool J did. Although responsible for only a couple of truly noteworthy records, their first two albums – Book of Love and Lullaby – are immaculate classics of the synth-pop canon,…
In just 18 hours, the president put on full display many of the traits his critics have accused him of
Ignorance, narcissism, racism, mendacity
The best concerts playing in Orlando this week
Dead Neighbors Athens trio Dead Neighbors, awash in the angular and arty heritage of their home city, headline the new Iron Cow space with Rocko English and .org. 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Iron Cow, $5 Datsik EDM enigma lands his “Ninja Nation” (yes, indeed) tour at House of Blues, along with Space Jesus,…
Reyes Mezcaleria offers Orlandoans a kingly taste of Oaxacan cuisine
Tyrannosaurus Mex
Opening in Orlando: 12 Strong, Den of Thieves and more
THIS WEEK: 12 Strong Give Tom Hanks and Bradley Cooper a break: They can’t do the Deep State’s propaganda work all by themselves. So up to the plate step Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon, amiably portraying brave Special Forces men who were deployed to Afghanistan in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11 to protect our…
There’s enough liquor at Shots in downtown Orlando to make you want to text your ex – all of them
Essay question: Drink here if you’re into taking several ounces of liquor straight to the dome – over and over again. The name is evidence enough: It’s not called Shot, a singular jolt; it’s called Shots, as in there’s enough liquor here to make you want to text your ex – all of them. Short…
ICYMI: House lawmakers approve crackdown on ‘sanctuary cities’ in Florida, A new bill would ban all orca breeding and shows, plus more
House lawmakers approve crackdown on ‘sanctuary cities’ in Florida: The Republican-dominated House approved a measure banning “sanctuary cities” for undocumented immigrants in Florida, despite no such cities existing in the state. Sponsored by Rep. Larry Metz, R-Lake County, the bill requires local and state agencies to comply with federal immigration authorities and prohibits sanctuary policies.…
Bem Bom awaits approval to open in Audubon Park, Gringos Locos opens in SoDo, plus more in our weekly food roundup
OPENINGS: Cafe Linger, by Johnson & Wales graduates Michael Brito and Christina Gribkowsky, will open this spring in the former NYPD Pizza space on Edgewater Drive … Bem Bom is awaiting inspections and anticipates a mid-February opening on Corrine Drive … Over in the Milk District, look for Stasio’s, an Italian deli/market, to open on…
