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

Nikki Fried: ‘The pendulum is swinging towards Democrats’ after victory in Miami election

Miami voters this week elected Eileen Higgins as mayor, the first time a registered Democrat has taken the seat in decades

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

Florida AG sues Starbucks over what he says is race-based hiring

The suit alleges Starbucks has violated a state civil-rights law through race-based hiring and race-based compensation decisions

by News Service of Florida December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

News

‘He does not deserve this honor:’ Tensions erupt over proposed Charlie Kirk Day

The bill would make Charlie Kirk only the second person — after Ronald Reagan — to be commemorated in Florida statute

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 10, 2025December 10, 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

Florida News

Florida House Democrats prioritize affordability in 2026 session

Lawmakers have housing affordability and government efficiency on their minds a month out from the start of the 2026 legislative session

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

News

Florida Panhandle prison has ‘culture of abuse and violence,’ report alleges

A nearly two-year investigation has concluded that overcrowding and understaffing has resulted in a high number of complaints by inmates

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

News

DeSantis and Trump’s beef overshadows ‘AI Week’

A fight between the two has dominated Florida House Speaker Danny Perez’s planned “artificial intelligence week” in the Legislature

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

News

DeSantis against Trump’s push for federal AI regulation

“The problem is that Congress hasn’t proposed any coherent regulatory scheme but instead just wanted to block states from doing anything for 10 years, which would be an AI amnesty.”

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida December 8, 2025December 8, 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

News

Florida eyes a ‘Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance’

A Florida Senate committee next week will take up a proposal that would designate Oct. 14 each year as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance”

by News Service of Florida December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

Florida News

‘Age of darkness and deceit’: DeSantis proposes ‘AI bill of rights’ in crackdown

The legislative proposals come in sharp contrast to pro-tech push marking President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 7, 2025December 7, 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

News

DeSantis says Florida ‘will be forced’ to redistrict due to pending SCOTUS decision

A Louisiana case may lead to changes in rules requiring racial minorities get a chance to be an electoral majority or plurality in some areas

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

News

DeSantis administration: We need another $50M to cover SNAP costs

The additional money is needed as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill and Congress’ decision to reduce spending on SNAP

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 4, 2025December 4, 2025

News

‘Copy of Guantánamo’: Human rights group alleges torture at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Two migrant detention centers may have violated international standards by imposing conditions that could amount to torture, the group claims

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 4, 2025December 4, 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

BEST OF ORLANDO® NOMINATION BALLOT IS OPEN THROUGH MAY 6!

News

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

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

Starbucks workers in Oviedo join national strike

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

Nikki Fried: ‘The pendulum is swinging towards Democrats’ after victory in Miami election

Florida AG sues Starbucks over what he says is race-based hiring

‘He does not deserve this honor:’ Tensions erupt over proposed Charlie Kirk Day

Roger Chapin secures victory in Orlando City Council runoff

Florida House Democrats prioritize affordability in 2026 session

Florida Panhandle prison has ‘culture of abuse and violence,’ report alleges

DeSantis and Trump’s beef overshadows ‘AI Week’

DeSantis against Trump’s push for federal AI regulation

Photos: MadSoul blended music, arts and advocacy in Orlando

Florida eyes a ‘Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance’

‘Age of darkness and deceit’: DeSantis proposes ‘AI bill of rights’ in crackdown

Delivery drivers for Orlando logistics company score first union contract

DeSantis says Florida ‘will be forced’ to redistrict due to pending SCOTUS decision

DeSantis administration: We need another $50M to cover SNAP costs

‘Copy of Guantánamo’: Human rights group alleges torture at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

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

Orlando’s 24 essential Colonial Drive restaurants and eateries

29 restaurants only found in Orlando strip malls

Everything we saw at the 2026 Brunch in the Park extravaganza