Orange County creates small business program after suspending program supporting minority and women-owned businesses

The county is hoping to avoid running afoul of anti-DEI orders issued by the Trump administration that could impact its ability to receive federal funding.

by McKenna Schueler July 18, 2025August 10, 2025

News

Renters need to make nearly $70k in the Orlando metro to comfortably afford a one-bedroom apartment

Orlando has consistently ranked as one of the most cost-burdened metros for renters in recent years.

by McKenna Schueler July 17, 2025August 20, 2025

News

Orange County rejects plan for local jail staff to transport ICE detainees to Alligator Alcatraz

The county is also eyeing potential modifications to its agreement with ICE after sustained pressure from immigrant rights advocates.

by McKenna Schueler July 16, 2025August 23, 2025

News

Orlando City Council picks Winter Park design firm to build Pulse memorial

The top-ranked firm, Gomez Construction Co., has done work for the Orlando International Airport and other hospitality and government clients

by McKenna Schueler July 15, 2025July 25, 2025

News

‘We don’t plan on going anywhere’: Planned Parenthood clinics in Central Florida plan to stay open despite defunding threats under Trump

A provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law Friday, aims to cut off Medicaid reimbursement for larger nonprofits like Planned Parenthood that offer abortion care.

by McKenna Schueler July 8, 2025August 22, 2025

News

Trump administration wants to spike safety rules for entertainment workers — citing SeaWorld Orlando OSHA case as support

A newly proposed rule from OSHA would make it easier for employers to evade responsibility for certain hazards on the job.

by McKenna Schueler July 3, 2025August 28, 2025

News

Orange County scraps minority and women business program to comply with federal anti-DEI orders

The county will bring forward a proposal for a small business enterprise program later this month to replace it.

by McKenna Schueler July 3, 2025August 27, 2025

News

DeSantis vetoes millions in state funding requests for Central Florida projects

Homelessness services, youth mentorship, HIV prevention and more … we have a list.

by McKenna Schueler July 2, 2025August 10, 2025

News

State funding request for Pulse memorial in Orlando gets final OK from DeSantis

The funding request from two local Democratic lawmakers managed to avoid Gov. DeSantis’ veto pen.

by McKenna Schueler July 1, 2025July 16, 2025

News

Feds side with union in legal dispute with Brightline Florida

Brightline has dragged its feet on negotiating a union contract, after filing a lawsuit claiming the workers’ organizing drive was improperly carried out.

by McKenna Schueler July 1, 2025August 3, 2025

News

County leaders to vote on suspending Minority Women Business program to comply with anti-DEI orders

Attorneys believe Orange County could face criminal penalties and significant fines if continuing to operate DEI-related programs.

by McKenna Schueler June 26, 2025July 27, 2025

News

Florida budget earmarks $29.5 million for anti-abortion center promoter — again

The Florida Pregnancy Care Network, a Tallahassee nonprofit, doles out state funds to crisis pregnancy centers that aim to deter people from ending pregnancies

by McKenna Schueler June 25, 2025July 17, 2025

News

Orlando special election results: Democrats LaVon Bracy Davis and RaShon Young advance, head to general elections this fall

LaVon Bracy Davis and RaShon Young both won their Democratic primaries Tuesday and head to general elections in September.

by McKenna Schueler June 25, 2025July 14, 2025

News

City approves funding to support upcoming LGBTQ-owned restaurant Outpost near Lake Eola

The DTO Restaurant Program helps support restaurants with up to $475K of city funding.

by McKenna Schueler June 24, 2025August 1, 2025

News

Hilton hotel workers in Orlando score wage increases, job protections in new union contract

According to the union, the new four-year contract includes increased protections for immigrant workers who face an uncertain future under the Trump administration.

by McKenna Schueler June 22, 2025July 9, 2025

News

Florida nonprofit scrambles to continue overdose prevention program after state cuts off funds

The Florida Harm Reduction Collective has been delivering hundreds of overdose prevention kits to Floridians by mail since 2023.

by McKenna Schueler June 20, 2025July 19, 2025

News

Pulse survivors, victims’ families ask State Attorney to investigate former club owners and city of Orlando for alleged wrongdoing

This comes after the Orlando Police Department closed its own investigation into the former club’s owners last year.

by McKenna Schueler June 17, 2025July 25, 2025

News

EDC event producers cited by U.S. Department of Labor after a stagehand died on the job last year

The stagehand was working to set up EDC at Camping World Stadium when he suffered a fatal accident on the job

by McKenna Schueler June 16, 2025July 22, 2025

News

DeSantis erases ‘LGBTQ and Hispanic communities’ from Pulse remembrance statement

Last year’s statement referred to the massacre as a ‘horrific act of terrorism against the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities’

by Chloe Greenberg and McKenna Schueler June 12, 2025August 3, 2025

News

LGBTQ nonprofits in Orlando report loss of federal funds under the Trump administration

Advocates also shared concerns about proposed cuts to the national 988 suicide hotline during a League of Women voters luncheon at the Winter Park Events Center.

by McKenna Schueler June 11, 2025July 23, 2025