Posted inNews
Orange County mayor says he stands by county spending amid criticism from Florida DOGE
State officials cited the county’s modest investment in LGBTQ youth services as an example of ‘wasteful spending’
McKenna Schueler
General news reporter for Orlando Weekly, with a focus on state and local government and workers' rights. You can find her bylines in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, In These Times, and Facing South.
Posted inNews
Orange County commissioners approve $5 million funding agreement to support Pulse memorial
The city of Orlando, which took over the project of building a memorial in 2023, requested the county’s financial support.
Posted inNews
Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour
Florida now has the highest minimum wage in the geographic South, thanks to a historic vote by Floridians in 2020
Posted inNews
Orlandoans gathered at City Hall with chalk in hand for ‘We Will Not Be Erased’ rally
A small group gathered at City Hall Sunday in protest of the state painting over a rainbow crosswalk outside Pulse nightclub
Posted inNews
Florida AG candidate vows to enforce minimum wage law, if elected
‘For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has functioned to prop up the powerful and corrupt’
Posted inNews
Orlando City Council gives green light to expanding red light camera program
The controversial program tickets drivers who are caught running a red light
Posted inNews
Orlando City Council to consider significantly expanding red light camera program
Drivers caught running red lights face a potential $158 fine
Posted inNews
Florida Democrat revives effort to end controversial taxpayer-funded anti-abortion program
If you didn’t know your tax dollars support the anti-abortion movement, now you do.
Posted inNews
Orange County leaders defend spending on homeless services after scolding by Florida DOGE
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia criticized Orange County on Monday, alleging nearly $200 million in ‘wasteful spending’
Posted inNews
Protester assaulted at Pulse crosswalk
Video footage shows a man kicking a person on the ground at the site of the formerly rainbow-colored crosswalk.
Posted inArts + Culture
Global Peace Film Festival brings Oscar-winning labor documentarian Barbara Kopple to Orlando
Two of Kopple’s films will screen at this year’s festival, which officially kicks off Sept. 16.
Posted inNews
Florida teachers union president slams intimidation after state threatens social media probe
The threat from Florida’s top education official comes after allegations of “despicable” comments being made online by teachers.
Posted inNews
Florida official threatens probe of teachers who post ‘despicable comments’ about Charlie Kirk killing
Education Commissioner warned that teaching certificates could be on the line, pending investigation
Posted inNews
Orlando officials file request with state to restore rainbow Pulse crosswalk
The crosswalk was painted to commemorate the victims and survivors of the 2016 mass shooting
Posted inNews
South Florida mayor urges cities like Orlando to reconsider ICE agreements
A city spokesperson declined to confirm whether Orlando would reconsider at this time, citing a pending legal case.
Posted inFlorida News
Florida Medical Association defends vaccines for kids after state leaders target mandates
Records show the doctors group has donated to campaign accounts associated with DeSantis in the past.
Posted inFlorida News
Florida leaders face criticism after announcing plans to drop vaccine mandates
Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried denounced the move as a “morally bankrupt play.”
Posted inOrlando Area News
Democrats LaVon Bracy Davis and Rashon Young win Florida special election seats
Young will be the first Gen Z Democrat to enter the Florida Legislature, according to the Orange County Democratic Party.
Posted inNews
Why did the Florida DOT remove a rainbow crosswalk outside Pulse that they recently paid to repaint?
State officials have claimed safety was the reason for the change, even though they paid to repaint the Pulse crosswalk as recently as last year
Posted inNews
Disney Epcot workers to vote on strike at Italy Pavilion
If approved by workers, a strike could be called for as soon as Sept. 30.