Florida Republican says ‘American Dream is dying’ because minimum wage is too high

A Florida House committee advanced a bill that would legally allow employers to pay certain entry-level workers less than the state minimum wage

by McKenna Schueler January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the city can’t block feds from building ICE detention center

Dyer, who’s not seeking re-election next year, says their hands are tied by the federal supremacy clause in the U.S. Constitution.

by McKenna Schueler January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

Group of student activists with Youth Action Fund and Girls in Law

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Student activists organize ‘Red Card’ immigrant rights campaign for Orange County schools

They’re planning to publicly present their idea to the Orange County School Board on Feb. 10

by McKenna Schueler January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

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Orlando lawmaker Anna Eskamani calls to defund, abolish ICE after Alex Pretti killed

Eskamani doesn’t have the power to withhold funding from ICE, but local U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost has similarly stated that he believes “ICE is lawless and should not exist.”

by McKenna Schueler January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Hundreds rally outside of Orlando City Hall in protest of an ICE agent's killing of Minneapolis woman Renee Good (Jan. 11, 2026)

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Orlando activists plan ‘ICE Out for Good’ protest in solidarity with Minneapolis day of action

Unions, community organizers, and faith leaders in Minneapolis are organizing a one-day economic shutdown on Jan. 23 in protest of violence waged by federal ICE agents.

by McKenna Schueler January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

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Feds toured Orlando warehouse as potential new ICE detention center

Orlando City Council member cautiously ‘skeptical’ of rumored plans for ICE detention center

by McKenna Schueler January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

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Officials join voices, ask Disney to investigate restaurant group for alleged workers rights’ violations

Disney has consistently ignored requests for comment on calls from workers and lawmakers to investigate.

by McKenna Schueler January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

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‘Be brave’: Advocates repeat demand for Orange County to end work with ICE after killing of Renee Good

More than a dozen people pleaded with Orange County leaders on Tuesday to seek legal clarification on its obligations to federal immigration enforcement.

by McKenna Schueler January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

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Legislative session primer: Florida bills to keep an eye on in 2026

From further eroding abortion rights to making it harder to access the state’s meager unemployment benefits, Florida lawmakers have filed a number of bills they hope to turn into law this year.

by McKenna Schueler January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Chris Durant and Roger Chapin with their arms around each other's shoulders

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Roger Chapin to hire former opponent Chris Durant for $69K job as aide

Durant placed third in an Orlando City Council race that Chapin later won in a runoff election against Mira Tanna

by McKenna Schueler January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Protesters gather for anti-ICE protest outside Orlando City Hall

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Hundreds rally at Orlando City Hall to protest ICE killing Renee Good

The rally was part of a coordinated weekend of nearly 1,200 peaceful protest actions and vigils organized across the U.S.

by McKenna Schueler January 11, 2026January 11, 2026

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KFC to pay $200K for sexual harassment, retaliation charges affecting Orlando workers

The global fast food giant has also agreed to implement annual sex discrimination training for staff, per the EEOC

by McKenna Schueler January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

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Orange County mayor says local taxpayers ‘unfairly’ shouldering cost of federal ICE duties

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings wrote a letter to the U.S. Marshals Service on Monday seeking full reimbursement for jailing ICE detainees

by McKenna Schueler December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

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City staff remove artifacts from Pulse to prepare for memorial

Objects removed from the club, including posters and chandeliers, are being transferred to a warehouse for temporary storage, according to the city

by McKenna Schueler December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

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News you missed: 15 Orlando stories that flew under the radar in 2025

From Disney prison labor allegations to union-busting side gigs to crosswalks that make people bad drivers

by McKenna Schueler and Chloe Greenberg December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

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Orlando officials unveil ‘Senator Geraldine Thompson Way’ along South Street

A portion of West South Street has been renamed to honor the late Orlando-area Sen. Geraldine Thompson

by McKenna Schueler December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

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Demings says there’s nothing Orange County can do about ICE concerns

“I believe that the appropriate venue for those types of complaints is either with the federal government, with the state or the courts,” Mayor Demings said when pressed

by McKenna Schueler December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, debates in the House Chamber

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Florida ‘right to repair’ bill advances with bipartisan support

The bill from Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani would require mobility device manufacturers to give consumers the information they need to repair their wheelchair or similar device

by McKenna Schueler December 17, 2025December 17, 2025