Orlando Area News

Disney EPCOT workers accuse third-party restaurant operator of wage theft

Four workers employed by the Patina Group at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion have threatened to file a lawsuit over the issue.

by McKenna Schueler June 22, 2026August 13, 2026

News

Disney Springs restaurant operator owes back pay to wrongfully fired worker, says NLRB

The order pertains to a complaint over the 2024 firing of former Pizza Ponte server and union activist Julissa Ruiz

by McKenna Schueler June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Orlando Area News

Leftover Disney property tax settlement money set aside by schools could go back to teacher salaries

Orange County Public Schools has set aside $119 million to settle property tax lawsuits filed against the county by Disney World and other corporations, should the plaintiffs prevail.

by McKenna Schueler June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Orlando Area News

Maxwell Frost reelected for another term after facing no opposition

The progressive Orlando Congressman used the victory to roast Elon Musk, sharing a photo of him raising a middle finger to a 2024 tweet from Musk predicting that Frost would be kicked out of office

by McKenna Schueler June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Labor

Florida bill to deter voluntary union recognition came from a Midwest think tank, records show

It’s yet another example of how anti-union activists from out of state are trying to undermine worker power in Florida.

by McKenna Schueler June 12, 2026June 13, 2026

Education

News orgs urge Orange County schools to change policy that ‘chills First Amendment-protected speech’

The call-to-action is part of an initiative that spotlights policies that restrict the reasonable flow of pertinent information to the public.

by McKenna Schueler June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Labor

Blue-collar city workers on Florida’s Space Coast form new union

This comes after the state dissolved the workers’ former union as part of a massive purge following the passage of a reform law in 2023.

by McKenna Schueler June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

News

Brandon Wolf returns to Equality Florida — and Orlando

Wolf, a survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub tragedy, left Equality Florida in 2023 to work for the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. Now, he feels it’s time to return home.

by McKenna Schueler June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Pulse

Pulse survivors organize a private remembrance ceremony to mark 10th anniversary of the shooting

The remembrance ceremony is being produced independently of the city, which typically presents its own.

by McKenna Schueler June 8, 2026June 9, 2026

Immigration

Orange County Sheriff’s Office snags largest request for state funds for immigration enforcement

The $10.8 million request is the largest of 17 requests submitted by local law enforcement agencies in Florida that are seeking state immigration enforcement funds.

by McKenna Schueler June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County changes ICE agreement, limiting detention in local jail

The change will prohibit federal immigration agents from booking people who don’t have criminal charges. It still needs final approval from the feds to take effect.

by McKenna Schueler June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Orlando Area News

Maitland mayor to challenge GOP Sen. Jason Brodeur for his Florida Senate seat

Maitland Mayor John Lowndes is running for the GOP-held seat as a Democrat.

by McKenna Schueler June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

News

Orange County officials will alter ICE agreement next week

This move will effectively restrict how long the Orange County Jail can detain people on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

by McKenna Schueler May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County Library System offers free book to kids in June as part of summer reading challenge

The free book offer is available for kids up to 18 years old, while supplies last.

by McKenna Schueler May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

Orlando Area News

Lawmakers restore funding for Central Florida Zoo in state budget proposal

This reverses a proposed cut to the appropriations request filed for the zoo ahead of its unanticipated rescue of animals from Orlando’s never-opened Sloth World attraction.

by McKenna Schueler May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Orlando Area News

Disney World Cake Bake Shop faces lawsuits over alleged wage theft

Nearly a dozen former employees have filed lawsuits claiming the third-party establishment at Disney’s Boardwalk violated federal and state minimum wage laws.

by McKenna Schueler May 27, 2026May 29, 2026

Labor

The ‘union avoidance’ industry is worth $1.7 billion. Florida union busters are cashing in.

Union avoidance firms based in Florida reported millions of dollars in earnings from companies like Amazon last year alone.

by McKenna Schueler May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

News

Orange County considers new safety rules for e-bikes and scooters

A rising number of teens are driving electric bikes and scooters in ways dangerous to themselves and others

by McKenna Schueler May 22, 2026May 26, 2026

Elections

Orange County mayoral candidates face pressure to resign early to avoid DeSantis replacement threat

Under state law, elected officials seeking a different office must resign from their current position ahead of a certain deadline to avoid having the governor just choose someone to replace them.

by McKenna Schueler May 20, 2026May 20, 2026