Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers

Emails show right-wing group gave talking points to Florida GOP lawmaker on anti-union bill

Public records obtained by Orlando Weekly show the right-wing Freedom Foundation supplied materials to ensure the bill’s passage.

by McKenna Schueler March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

News

Florida Legislature passes $31M for AIDS drug program

The program provides access to the life-saving, costly drugs that reduce the level of human immunodeficiency virus in the body

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

News

Desmond Meade to step down as head of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

Meade in 2018 led the campaign that restored the voting rights to Floridians with felony convictions

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Openings, Closings + Moves

Hamburger Mary’s to open Kissimmee location this May

The popular LGBTQ-owned restaurant is planning to open in Kissimmee’s Old Town District

by McKenna Schueler March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Orlando Area News

Art supply shop Sam Flax announces imminent move out of Colonialtown location

Sam Flax had been located in that spot since 2011

by Matthew Moyer March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

News

Florida bill banning local government ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County reports 50 percent drop in drug overdose deaths

While one life lost is still too many, local experts believe county initiatives to prevent fatal overdose in the community are working.

by McKenna Schueler March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

News

Florida House weakens transparency requirement in data center bill, sends to Senate

It’s the latest example of the lower chamber moving away from the governor and toward the Trump administration

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

News

Florida lawmakers approve bill requiring life in prison for manslaughter of police

It still needs to be signed into law by Gov. DeSantis

by Fresh Take Florida March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

News

Senate moves to save AIDS drug program from DeSantis administration cuts

The Florida Senate offered to pump nearly $31 million into a program that provides people access to high-cost HIV drugs

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Pulse

Pulse nightclub sign taken down for construction of memorial

The towering sign will be stored by the city in a secure, undisclosed location during construction on the former nightclub property.

by McKenna Schueler March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Orlando Area News

Woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s home has arrest record in Orlando

Ortiz last year filed an emergency petition in Orange County court attempting to stop a Billie Eilish concert at the Kia Center

by Juanita Olarte March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County leaders unanimously approve resolution opposing proposed ICE facility

The resolution is symbolic, but demonstrates a united commitment “to public safety, to the rule of law and to treating every person with dignity,” per Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

by McKenna Schueler March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Things to Do

St. Patrick’s Day parties, bar crawls and festivals around Orlando

From family-friendly festivals to late-night bar bashes, here’s where to go green around town

by Juanita Olarte March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

News

Florida gas prices spike following Iran attacks

Gas prices have jumped nearly 60 cents in Florida since ongoing U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran started just over a week ago

by News Service of Florida March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

News

Florida’s 60-day session nears end without a state budget

House Speaker Daniel Perez told members he’d ‘update’ them when he knows more

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

News

New E-bike rules head to DeSantis’ desk

The measure creates an E-bike safety taskforce within Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

by News Service of Florida March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

News

Coalition calls on Legislature to address $759M backlog of state park repairs

A coalition of 32 groups and businesses is urging Florida state lawmakers to step up funding for repairs to the Florida State Parks system

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 9, 2026March 10, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orlando now has a second Dolly Parton-style ride to Dollywood

Flight No. 925 is now joined by companion Flight No. 2925

by Chloe Greenberg March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Labor

Florida Senate passes bill making it harder for most public employees to form or keep their union

Five Republicans and one independent senator joined Democrats in voting against the bill.

by McKenna Schueler March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

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

News

Emails show right-wing group gave talking points to Florida GOP lawmaker on anti-union bill

Florida Legislature passes $31M for AIDS drug program

Desmond Meade to step down as head of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

Hamburger Mary’s to open Kissimmee location this May

Art supply shop Sam Flax announces imminent move out of Colonialtown location

Florida bill banning local government ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

Orange County reports 50 percent drop in drug overdose deaths

Florida House weakens transparency requirement in data center bill, sends to Senate

Florida lawmakers approve bill requiring life in prison for manslaughter of police

Senate moves to save AIDS drug program from DeSantis administration cuts

Pulse nightclub sign taken down for construction of memorial

Woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s home has arrest record in Orlando

Orange County leaders unanimously approve resolution opposing proposed ICE facility

St. Patrick’s Day parties, bar crawls and festivals around Orlando

Florida gas prices spike following Iran attacks

Florida’s 60-day session nears end without a state budget

New E-bike rules head to DeSantis’ desk

Coalition calls on Legislature to address $759M backlog of state park repairs

Orlando now has a second Dolly Parton-style ride to Dollywood

Florida Senate passes bill making it harder for most public employees to form or keep their union

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

Orlando’s 17 hottest new restaurants right now, according to Yelp