They keep SeaWorld visitors safe. They’re fighting for safety on the job themselves.

Security guards at SeaWorld unionized last year to address low pay and understaffing. SeaWorld has refused to meet them halfway at the bargaining table.

by McKenna Schueler July 9, 2026July 14, 2026

Florida News

Lawsuit alleges Byron Donalds threatened a Florida school board member in 2022

A Collier County school board member is accusing Donalds of threatening and intimidating her during a confrontation at a Naples grocery store in 2022.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis calls overruling of ‘Stop WOKE Act’ ‘judicial overreach’

In a social media post about 24 hours after the ruling, the governor made clear his displeasure with the 2-1 federal appeals court decision

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

Florida News

Florida hurricane season now envisioned ‘well below normal’

Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

News

Florida invests $500K in ‘deceptive’ hotline program to deter abortions

It’s yet another investment by the DeSantis administration in delaying and eliminating abortion care for pregnant Floridians.

by McKenna Schueler July 8, 2026July 14, 2026

Reader Reactions

Letters to the editor: Marialana Kinter, Bale Dalton and Cory Mills; better public transit in Orange County

Readers write in about what’s on their minds

by Orlando Weekly readers July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Florida News

Federal court rejects DeSantis-backed ‘Stop WOKE Act’

UCF history professor Dr. Robert Cassanello described the decision to Orlando Weekly as a “huge victory for academic freedom in Florida.”

by Gray Rohrer, News Service of Florida July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Florida News

Howell Key, an off-the-grid private island in Florida, is back on the market with a $5M price cut

It’s accessible only by boat or helicopter

by Colin Wolf July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Florida News

Florida’s hospitality industry asks Trump administration for leeway after TPS protections gutted

“Many affected employees are long-serving, legally authorized workers who are central to restaurant operations”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Florida News

Florida rejects DeSantis’ suit against ‘woke’ college accreditation process again

DeSantis believes the process enforces diversity and related interests he considers “woke.”

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Orlando Area News

Over 5,000 petitions call on Disney to drop property tax lawsuits that could drain money from Orange County schools

The school district that is already in a financial crisis and has been forced to close schools over declining enrollment and budget concerns.

by McKenna Schueler July 6, 2026July 6, 2026

News

DeSantis is poised to leave office considerably wealthier than he started

He entered the statewide office in 2019 with a net worth of $283,605.

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida July 6, 2026July 6, 2026

Florida News

Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

“This might not be the obituary we were hoping to wake up to, but this is a close second to me,” she initially wrote.

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix July 5, 2026July 5, 2026

Florida News, News, Ron DeSantis

Civil rights group sues Florida officials for designating CAIR a terrorist organization

DeSantis announced Wednesday that the state would soon designate the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) a domestic terrorist organization

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix July 3, 2026July 3, 2026

Things to Do

Parties, fests and fireworks happening around Orlando this Fourth of July weekend

Here’s where to find Independence Day parties, live music, kids’ activities, pie bake-offs, firework displays and more this year

by Chloe Greenberg July 2, 2026July 2, 2026

Immigration

Orange County’s revised ICE agreement now in effect, limiting immigrant detention

The revised agreement limits how long the Orange County Jail is obligated to hold people for ICE while remaining compliant with state law.

by McKenna Schueler July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

News

Trump’s Great American State Fair is a flop. Here’s what’s in the Florida pavilion

According to news reports in the event’s first few days, the Florida pavilion has continued to draw a line despite the fair’s low attendance

by Chloe Greenberg July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis vetoes funds for financial literacy, food insecurity in Orlando, and more

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $800 million’s worth of state funding requests from Florida lawmakers in the final state budget signed on Monday.

by McKenna Schueler July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Florida News

Miccosukee Tribe wants ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ — but Miami doesn’t have the land back

This means Miami can’t begin to sell or transfer the Everglades land to a conservator, as planned — at least not yet.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

News

Florida pushes police to step up immigration enforcement, some agencies still aren’t participating

Some agencies, including some of the largest sheriffs and police departments in the state, still aren’t participating

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Join us at Lake Eola Park for Orlando Beer Fest on 11/14. Limited tickets available, buy yours today!

News

They keep SeaWorld visitors safe. They’re fighting for safety on the job themselves.

Lawsuit alleges Byron Donalds threatened a Florida school board member in 2022

DeSantis calls overruling of ‘Stop WOKE Act’ ‘judicial overreach’

Florida hurricane season now envisioned ‘well below normal’

Florida invests $500K in ‘deceptive’ hotline program to deter abortions

Letters to the editor: Marialana Kinter, Bale Dalton and Cory Mills; better public transit in Orange County

Federal court rejects DeSantis-backed ‘Stop WOKE Act’

Howell Key, an off-the-grid private island in Florida, is back on the market with a $5M price cut

Florida’s hospitality industry asks Trump administration for leeway after TPS protections gutted

Florida rejects DeSantis’ suit against ‘woke’ college accreditation process again

Over 5,000 petitions call on Disney to drop property tax lawsuits that could drain money from Orange County schools

DeSantis is poised to leave office considerably wealthier than he started

Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

Civil rights group sues Florida officials for designating CAIR a terrorist organization

Parties, fests and fireworks happening around Orlando this Fourth of July weekend

Orange County’s revised ICE agreement now in effect, limiting immigrant detention

Trump’s Great American State Fair is a flop. Here’s what’s in the Florida pavilion

DeSantis vetoes funds for financial literacy, food insecurity in Orlando, and more

Miccosukee Tribe wants ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ — but Miami doesn’t have the land back

Florida pushes police to step up immigration enforcement, some agencies still aren’t participating

A look inside NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s new $13M Florida mansion

15 Orlando restaurants and bars that closed this summer

This $25 million Florida ‘smart home’ for sale is run completely by AI

Rare Harry Merritt mid-century modern home hits market for first time ever in Orlando area