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

News

The most bizarre things that happened in Orlando this year

Year in Review: Unhinged news from Florida

by Orlando Weekly Staff December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

News

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

Orlando Theme Parks

SeaWorld’s 50-year-old killer whale Katina has died

She was at the park for nearly 40 years and was one of just five killer whales at the park

by Chloe Greenberg December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

A home on Winter Garden’s peninsula cul-de-sac is now for sale

It’s one of just 21 houses on the island-like plot of land and the only one of the bunch currently on the market

by Chloe Greenberg December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

News

New report reveals details of bloody, ‘distorted’ Epic Universe death

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s father told deputies his “mother always told him not to ride the roller coasters, but he would never listen.”

by Chloe Greenberg December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

News

Orlando moves to replace minority business program to comply with Trump administration

A city attorney previously warned that failing to comply with Trump’s anti-DEI policy would place at risk their federal funding assistance

by McKenna Schueler December 12, 2025December 11, 2025

News

Starbucks workers in Oviedo join national strike

According to Starbucks Workers United, nearly 4,000 baristas across 34 cities are now on strike amid continued efforts to secure a union contract

by McKenna Schueler December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Florida News

In Orlando, DeSantis proposes $117B budget that bans ‘social justice’ efforts

“Today I announced the ‘Floridians First’ Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility and delivers on the priorities that have made Florida the greatest state in America.”

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix and Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

Roger Chapin secures victory in Orlando City Council runoff

Chapin, the son of former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin, will succeed longtime Orlando commissioner Robert Stuart, representing District 3

by McKenna Schueler December 10, 2025December 11, 2025

Music

Photos: MadSoul blended music, arts and advocacy in Orlando

“We just want people to find a political home.”

by Ida V. Eskamani and Jim Leatherman December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

MBM Logistics drivers organized with the Teamsters gather for group photo

News

Delivery drivers for Orlando logistics company score first union contract

The three-year contract delivers higher pay, stronger job protections, and fully employer-paid healthcare

by McKenna Schueler December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Advocates stand outside of Disney World to protest low pay for workers who help make Disney character balloons.

Orlando Area News

Advocates urge Disney to investigate alleged use of prison labor to make character balloons

That $45 jumbo Mickey Mouse balloon you bought for your kid may have been produced by prison labor for pennies on the dollar.

by McKenna Schueler December 3, 2025December 4, 2025

News

Florida’s blocked anti-drag law is now getting another look

Former Orlando spot Hamburger Mary’s challenged the constitutionality of the law, which seeks to prevent admitting children to adult live performances