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.
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Children, older adults make up more than 40 percent of Central Florida’s homeless population
More than 8,000 OCPS students identified as homeless this month — the highest number of any school district in the state, according to preliminary data.
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Florida Republicans advance bill that would weaken child labor regulations for teens as young as 13
The bill is sponsored by freshman Florida Rep. Monique Miller, a self-described activist affiliated with Moms for Liberty.
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Orange County school leaders, students warn Florida bill would cut funding for AP courses, dual enrollment
Orange County schools warn their district alone could stand to lose nearly $17 million in funding for certain courses and programs
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Federal library agency disruptions could threaten funding for Florida museums, libraries
The status of millions of dollars in grants given to state and local institutions in Florida this year is unclear.
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New drop-in day center for homeless youth to open this month in Orlando’s Pine Hills neighborhood
The day center will offer access to computers, showers and laundry, in addition to case management and mental health counseling
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Canada launches billboard campaign in Central Florida on U.S. tariffs
Billboards funded by the Canadian government have been spotted throughout Florida and other states
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UCF president welcomes DeSantis’ promise to cut ‘wasteful spending’ through Florida DOGE
UCF is Florida’s largest public university by enrollment, with an operating budget of $2 billion.
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Orange County Clerk of Courts expands affordable legal aid program to new Winter Park location
The program is meant to help people who may not be able to afford to hire an attorney to represent them in court.
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Overdose deaths in Orange County dropped 30 percent in 2024, new data shows
Specifically, opioid-related overdose deaths dropped 37 percent last year.
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For thee but not for me: Florida Republican lawmaker wants tighter rules for union elections
If Rep. Persons-Mulicka had been subject to the same election requirements, she wouldn’t be in office today.
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Florida Republicans express concern, still give thumbs-up to bill weakening child labor protections
The bill barely squeaked through its first committee stop, with a 5-4 vote in favor.
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Orlando set to approve $3 million deal to shelter homeless people in retrofitted buses
This comes after city leaders killed plans for a new homeless shelter in SoDo earlier this month.
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Orlando Democrats push for Floridians to have the right to repair their wheelchairs
Currently, restrictive repair rules set by private equity-owned manufacturers prevent wheelchair owners from having access to information needed to expand their repair options.
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Can restaurant service charges be blamed on wage hikes? This Florida restaurant industry lobbyist thinks so.
She admitted some restaurants have changed their pay structure to force customers to cover more of their labor costs.
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United Airlines flight attendants rally at Orlando International Airport as union contract talks continue
United Airlines posted $3.1 billion in profits last year. Flight attendants are asking for their fair share as the face of the company.
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Privatize the U.S. Postal Service? USPS workers in Central Florida say ‘hell no’
Postal workers plan rallies to protest threats from the Trump administration this week, and they’re asking for community support
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Parents, teachers blast Osceola County schools for policy changes affecting students with disabilities
Exceptional student education will be offered to fewer students at fewer schools beginning next school year
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Friends to hold vigil for 26-year-old fatally shot by Orange County sheriff’s deputies
Jose Luis Lopez was fatally shot by deputies in his own home.
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Orlando activist calls out Florida Republican over effort to pay some workers less than minimum wage
Rollins College graduate Matthew Grocholske warned that undermining minimum wage requirements for work-based learners would hurt young people.