Cover Stories
How long will it take Florida to issue one Black farmer a marijuana grow license?
This spring, the Florida Department of Health did something that had seemed like it might never happen: It opened up a five-day window for Black farmers to apply for a license to grow and sell medical marijuana. The move — required by law — was nearly five years late. For the Black farmers who qualified,…
A walk through Cresco’s new Florida weed processing facility is like a trip to Willy Wonka’s candy factory
Long before theme park tourists were Central Florida’s cash crop, agriculture ruled our local economy, and although the citrus groves are mostly gone, a new harvest is proving increasingly lucrative in the Sunshine State. In Indiantown, about two hours southeast of Cinderella Castle, a facility sits quietly along a rural road miles from the nearest…
Dogs to pet, vinyl to buy and munchies to eat on 4/20, the stoner’s highest holiday
Oh hi! Welcome to our annual 420 Issue, in which we cover all things “high-minded” in the Sunshine State. We’ve rounded up a li’l list of things to do, shows to catch, and snacks to munch on while you celebrate 420 week, buddy. Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs You didn’t think 4/20 would go by without…
Orlando native Laney Jones returns to play hometown album release show at Will’s Pub
Rootsy Nashville-via-Orlando singer-songwriter Laney Jones is poised her first new album in six years, and she’ll be marking this milestone with a release show at Will’s Pub next week. Stories Up High is due out on May 20 on CD and digital, and teaser singles have already gotten some plaudits with Magnet comparing her to “Carole…
Live and local music returns to Orlando venue Iron Cow this weekend
Back in January, the Facebook page for then-dormant music venue Iron Cow promised “Re-Opening Soon.” We were happy to see it, but feared for the worst. Well, we’re happy to be wrong because the doors at Iron Cow are open and live music will be popping off again as soon as this weekend. The Saturday…
The Ford Cuban Sandwich Festival returns to Kissimmee this weekend
The Ford Cuban Sandwich Festival returns to Central Florida for a 7th year this weekend, celebrating this high point in sandwich innovation and offering a bounty of different takes on the ham, pickle, and salami-OR-roast-pork (controversial!) staple. The Festival is a free, family-friendly event offering up the flavors, scents, and sounds of Latin American foods,…
The legendary Isley Brothers to get funky in Apopka this fall at the Heart and Soul Festival
Seminal funk outfit the Isley Brothers are heading to Central Florida — Apopka to be exact — this fall for an outdoors festival, and that sure seems like as close to mandatory attendance as it gets. The Isleys will headline this year’s Heart & Soul Music Festival, along with Howard Hewett (of Shalamar fame), Con Funk Shun and and Leela James.…
Orlando pop-punk band Porch Coffin debut new music video for “Parasitic Freedom (Damage)”
New Orlando pop-punk band Porch Coffin have just released their first music video, for roaring track “Parasitic Freedom (Damage).” Porch Coffin is fronted by Evan Blaine, whom sharp-eyed local wrestling fans will recognize as Wolfe Taylor, and has wrestled for Mayhem on Mills, No Peace and other area feds. Getting back to the ol’ music, Blaine…
Legal Public Notices 4/27/2022
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below at the property indicated: May 6, 2022 at the times and location listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00 PM Extra Space Storage 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee 34761 (407) 516-7221 Daniel Thomas – Household Goods.…
Michael Bublé announces ‘Higher’ Orlando show set for August
Velvety crooner Michael Bublé just announced his “Higher” tour set to kick off this summer, and the man has a date with Orlando on the books. Buble’s U.S. tour itinerary starts off in Georgia and speedily brings him through Florida — Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa to be precise — in early August. The multi-platinum singer, and favorite of…
New Orlando billboards welcome tourists to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ state
Instead of welcoming visitors to the “Sunshine State,” a new billboard campaign from the Human Rights Campaign, one of the nations leading LGBTQ rights groups, is instead labeling the nation’s southern appendage as the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” state. The billboards, which are located in Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee for the next four weeks,…
Terrifying infrared video shows gators roaring in South Florida preserve
There’s never a good time to mess around with Florida’s alligator population, but mating season is especially tense. A new video from wildlife photographer Bobby Wummer shows how aggressive gators can be when the weather gets warm and their dander gets up. The clip, filmed on infrared trail cameras, shows gators snapping at each other…
Pilot pulled from Lake Apopka after helicopter crash
A pilot was pulled from the water after his helicopter crashed into Lake Apopka early Tuesday morning. According to Orange County Fire Rescue, the pilot was the only person onboard the aircraft. He was brought to shore by a private boat and is being assessed for injuries. OCFR added that one person was taken to…
Lil Nas X brings debut ‘Montero’ tour to Orlando in October
Lil Nas X on Tuesday announced his first headlining tour, “Long Live Montero,” starting in September and only Orlando and Miami made the cut for Florida stops. (Cue conservative panic!) Lil Nas X announced the tour via social media this morning, accompanied by a cinematic trailer. “i’m having my very first tour. and all of…
Proposed Florida constitutional amendment would create right to clean, healthy water
A political committee has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a “fundamental right to clean and healthy waters” and allow lawsuits against state agencies for harm or threatened harm to lakes, rivers, wetlands and other types of water bodies. The committee Florida Right to Clean Water.org has proposed the initiative for the 2024 ballot,…
Creative City Project teams with the Orlando Phil to present ‘The Seasons’ immersive performance
The Creative City Project on Monday unveiled a new immersive arts event set for late May dubbed “The Seasons” in collaboration with Orlando Philharmonic. Set for a two-night run on May 27-28 at the Phil’s home turf of the Plaza Live, this “multi-sensory orchestral performance” will present Vivaldi’s group of violin concertos The Four Seasons as…
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill creating ballot box cops into law
A measure to create a first-of-its-kind office in Florida to investigate voting irregularities, along with making other changes in the state’s elections system, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The measure (SB 524) expands on a 2021 state law that passed as Republicans across the country argued steps needed to be taken…
Keith Sweat to celebrate his birthday with a few of his famous musical friends in Orlando this summer
If you want to wish the performer who gave us immortal R&B singles like “I’ll Give All My Love to You” and “Make It Last Forever” a happy rotation around the sun, then you might want to add this upcoming one-off Keith Sweat birthday event to your calendar. Keith Sweat will be the guest of…
Bill dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek district leads to concern among bond rating agencies
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill aimed at dissolving a special taxing district that has granted Walt Disney World unique self-governing powers for more than five decades, even as a leading bond-rating agency cautioned investors about the proposed changes. The bill (SB 4-C) targets the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which encompasses about 25,000…
Florida has more polluted freshwater than anywhere else in the U.S.
Florida’s freshwater lakes are hurting. A new “Clean Water Act at 50” study from the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) found the state of Florida ranked the highest in the U.S. for most acres of lakes too polluted for swimming or maintaining healthy aquatic life. Based on issues like low oxygen level, high fecal matter or harmful…
Bodycam footage shows Orange County deputy climbing balcony to save infant in Orlando apartment fire
A harrowing video shows an Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy climbing balconies to save an infant from a raging apartment fire in Orlando over the weekend. In the clip, Deputy William Puzynski can be seen scaling the exterior of the Isles at East Millenia complex to reach a family on the third floor. He balances on…
Family of teen who died after falling from Orlando thrill ride files lawsuit against Icon Park, ride manufacturer
Tyre Sampson’s family filed a lawsuit against all entities associated with the Orlando Free Fall on Monday. The lawsuit comes after the 14-year-old teen from Missouri fell hundreds of feet from the tower ride while on a trip with his football team. Sampson died of his injuries. A report commissioned by the Florida Department of…
Gov. DeSantis’ newly approved Florida congressional districts draw instant legal challenge
After Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed into law new congressional district lines that he pushed lawmakers to pass, the controversial plan immediately drew a legal challenge. Voting-rights groups such as the League of Women Voters of Florida and 12 individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court contending the congressional map (SB…
Florida’s anti-CRT ‘Stop WOKE’ Act faces lawsuit immediately after being signed into law
Continuing a crusade by Republican state leaders against critical race theory, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that will limit the way race-related issues can be taught in schools and in workplace training. But the law immediately drew a challenge in federal court, with plaintiffs arguing that it violates First Amendment rights. The…
Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston ‘excited’ to bring Dos Hombres mezcal to Orlando with Aaron Paul
Bryan Cranston found himself in Central Florida in the mid-1970s during a two-year, cross-country motorcycle trek he took with his brother. After a stint waiting tables at the Hawaiian Inn in Daytona Beach, the Breaking Bad actor became a police suspect after the head chef was … umm … murdered. That chef’s name? Tuco Salamanca.…
Huge crocodile shuts down airfield at Florida Naval base
A fairly large and lazy American crocodile “refused to budge” and caused a Naval airfield to shut down earlier this week. On Monday, the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Key West posted a photo to social media of a large croc sprawled out on a runway, while a jet takes off in the background. “Sunning…
Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani roasts Randy Fine on CNBC for taking Disney’s ‘woke money’
"Randy Fine has taken over $20K from Disney in political contributions. This woke money he has not returned," says @annaforflorida. "If you want to talk about free markets, I'm your girl…Florida Republicans want Disney to get back in line, continue donating to their coffers." pic.twitter.com/1tQtATDpdX — Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) April 22, 2022 In the midst…
Bodycam footage shows scene of Longwood wedding where guests, police claim food was laced with weed
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage of officers arriving on the scene at a wedding where guests claim they were served marijuana-laced food without their knowledge. Police were called to the wedding on Feb. 19 after multiple guests reporting feeling ill and out of sorts. Guests being treated by first responders with the…
Orlando Pride launches new out-of-this-world kit
Some stars might be gone, but that hasn’t kept the Orlando Pride from shooting for the moon. The National Women’s Soccer League season is taking off and the Pride launched a new kit to honor the team (and Central Florida’s space industry). The new Pride jersey comes in a stark white and commemorates the 50th…
Orlando band Super Passive to celebrate album release at Ten10 on Saturday
Promising new Orlando band Super Passive on Friday released new mini-album Radio on cassette and digital formats. And you’ll have a chance to see them play the songs live on Saturday at a daytime (!) release party. The band is playing Ten10 Brewing as part of a Record Store Day-adjacent event, but this afternoon show…
Banks snakes into the House of Blues as part of ‘Serpentina’ tour
Pop singer Banks is going out on a full North American tour to bring the songs from new album Serpentina to the adoring masses. And Orlando made the cut. The tour kicks off in July, going through mid-August. There are only two Florida shows: Orlando and Tampa. Serpentina is Bank’s fourth album, but it marks…
Gov. Ron DeSantis taps Manny Diaz, Jr. for new Department of Education head
With Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran stepping down at the end of the month, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday recommended Republican state Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. as Corcoran’s replacement. Corcoran, a Republican former House speaker, announced last month that he will “return to private life” when his resignation takes effect at the end of April. Corcoran…
Florida House passes redistricting maps over sit-in protest from Democrats
The Florida House passed a new congressional map on Thursday after Democratic lawmakers disrupted the session with a sit-in protest. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting map has drawn protest for cutting Black representation in the state in half. Knowing that Republicans were in lockstep behind the governor, who vetoed earlier maps that kept the distrcits…
Dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek district could be a disaster for Orange County taxpayers, says Mayor Demings
The Orange County mayor said that dissolving Disney’s special district would be catastrophic to the county’s budget at an economic summit Thursday. Mayor Jerry Demings does not believe members of the Florida Legislature have thought about the consequences. He shared his concerns while speaking to a crowd at Full Sail University. “I believe they have…
White Castle opening a takeout-only location in Orlando
White Castle plans to open a takeout-only location next to its existing Orlando location at The Village in O-Town West. This 1,800-square-foot spot, right next to the largest White Castle in the world, would solely handle pick-ups for online orders or delivery services. Jamie Richardson, White Castle vice president, told the Orlando Sentinel in an email…
Department of Justice appeals Tampa judge’s ruling on travel mask mandate
The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday appealed a Florida federal judge’s ruling that struck down a requirement that travelers wear masks in airports and on planes, trains and buses. Justice Department attorneys filed a notice of appealing the decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The notice came two days after the…
Brit duo Wet Leg announce Orlando show as part of first U.S. tour
Brit indie duo Wet Leg’s trajectory is in fast-forward. They released their first single less than a year ago and today a major U..S. tour was announced to support their new self-titled debut album. And lo and behold, there’s an Orlando date in there. Oh, and this September date in Orlando is the only Florida…
Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried sues federal government over gun ownership restrictions on MMJ patients
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging federal restrictions that can prevent people from buying and possessing guns if they obtain medical marijuana in Florida. Fried and three other plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in federal court in Tallahassee, alleging that the restrictions violate Second Amendment rights and should be blocked. The case…
Three new seafood-focused concepts coming to Central Florida fine-food hub Plant Street Market this summer
Bruno’s Oysters by chef Bruno Fonseca, Norikase Hand Rolls, and Bento Sushi + Poke
Orlando had the third-highest increase in rent in the nation over the last year
Renters are suffering under a sudden and intense increase in their monthly rent. The pain was particularly acute in Orlando, where rent year-over-year experienced some of the largest jumps in the entire United States. It’s some sort of solace for Orlando-area renters to get their feeling that costs have spiraled out of control validated. The…
Florida Department of Health issues guidance against gender-affirming treatment for trans youth
Going against guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Florida Department of Heath is urging state doctors not to give gender-affirming care to transgender youth. Flying in the face of opinions from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the federal agency, the FDOH statement claims that “current evidence does not support…
Face masks are now optional at Orlando International Airport
Shortly after a Florida judge struck down the CDC’s mask mandate on planes, trains and buses, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced that they won’t be requiring face masks for travelers inside MCO. “Following a Federal Court decision and updated directives from the Transportation Security Administration, the wearing of facial coverings will no longer be…
Florida legislature votes to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek government over company’s opposition to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
The Florida Senate voted to strip Walt Disney World of its independent government during a special session on Wednesday. If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislation will end the exemption of land under the control of Disney from Florida land use regulations. The exemption was passed in 1967, creating the Reedy Creek…
Gatorland announces Gatorpalooza, a two-day festival with a ‘Florida Man’ race through gator-infested swamps
Deep in the heart of Florida (and the heart of alligator mating season), the best attraction in town is throwing a party. Gatorland’s Gatorpalooza returns to “The Alligator Capital of the World” this May. On top of live music, games and giveaways, the park is also hosting markets and food vendors. If that’s not enough…
Florida Republicans move quickly to approve Ron DeSantis’ redistricting plan
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional redistricting plan, lambasted by opponents because it likely would reduce the number of seats held by Black Democrats, quickly moved toward approval Tuesday as the Republican-dominated Legislature started a special session. The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday to pass the plan, which would boost Republican representation in Congress for…
New on Netflix: After three years, time-loop dramedy ‘Russian Doll’ is finally back for a second season
This week’s streaming premieres you don’t want to miss Premieres Wednesday: The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans — Cast members from the 2000 season reunite to share fond memories and settle old scores. Hey, Anne Rice had a cameo that season! If they can summon up her spirit, I’ll definitely be watching. (Paramount+) Russian Doll…
Orlando concert picks this week: Adult., Juan Wauters, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Pack A.D.
If you go out, be cool. Man on Man, Wet Nurse, Fatties: New Polyvinyl band Man on Man are really good. They’re also really gay. And the way that they relish that with so much outness, humor and humanity certifies them as all-around heroes. The musical union of real-life couple Roddy Bottum (Faith No More,…
Things to do in Orlando, April 20-26: R.A.P. Ferreira, Blu Anxiety, Ginger Minj, Swift + Styles Dance Party, The Cult
Our editors’ picks of the best stuff to do this week. Wednesday, April 20 Steve Hackett Guitarist and Genesis founding member Hackett hits the Plaza with his Genesis Revisited Tour, which sees the musician revisiting material from two of his day job’s more arty and overlooked albums from 1977, Selling England by the Pound and…
Orlando Shakespeare impresses with a stripped-down take on ‘Henry IV, Part 2’
Even avid Shakespeare fans — up to and including those who missed the Shakes’ 2020 production of Henry IV, Part 1 — can find the Bard’s historical plays a daunting proposition. Have no fear, though. The Orlando Shakes company has completely prepared for audience members with little to no familiarity with Shakespeare’s more historical pieces.…
Orlando expat and Full Sail graduate Kaelin Ellis makes waves with collaborators and alone
New album ‘The Funk Will Prevail’ builds on production duties for Lupe Fiasco, Kaytranada, Exo + more
Roberta Emerson is breathing new life into the Garden Theatre’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with the aid of a diverse and inclusive cast
If prizes were awarded to the person wearing the most hats in Orlando’s theater community, Roberta Emerson could credibly claim the crown. Just within the last 14 months, Emerson was appointed to the newly created role of Artistic Producing Consultant for the CFCArts Theatre Program; named Director of New Play Development with Orlando Shakes and…
Letters to the editor: A ‘defense of men’ from an Orlando ‘boy mom’
‘Men have been lied to’
Savage Love: ‘I’m worried about killing my husband while indulging his kink’
Dear Dan: I’m a married gay man. I’m nervous about sending this question and my husband is afraid you might answer it. I’m a fairly vanilla guy, while my husband is into bondage. We’ve been able to make it work because he’s into a kind of bondage he calls “storage.” On “storage nights,” I put…
