U.S. Rep. Darren Soto’s phone was buzzing nonstop inside the small, dimly lit lobby of the Super 8 motel. Moments before, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed the news: FEMA would pay for Puerto Rican evacuees displaced by Hurricane María to stay for five more nights at hotels on the order of a…
When no less than Senator Bob Dole referenced Cannibal Corpse as a contributing factor in the downfall of American society in 1995, the band’s blood-soaked reputation was cemented as death metal legends. Fast forward through several more influential albums and an appearance on Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Cannibal Corpse are still going strong in…
Under a torrential downpour on Sunday, mourners tried to keep their candles lit – if only for a moment – to honor Sasha Garden, a 27-year-old transgender woman found dead last Thursday at the back of an Orlando apartment complex. Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies found Garden’s body in the back of the Reserve at Lake…
At a small media event on Monday, Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke sat down with Orlando Weekly to give his two cents on why he should be the next county mayor. Clarke – a three-term Republican commissioner, who was one of the local GOP party’s first to back same-sex marriage in 2014, prior to its…
Today, Cox Media Group says they are currently exploring options to sell off all their television properties, including Orlando’s WFTV Channel 9. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which broke the story and is also owned by CMG, the company will begin exploring “strategic options for its ownership” and even merging opportunities for all 14 local…
Come one! Come all! Will’s Pub and William D. Grant & Sons are throwing a big ol’ carnival at the Will’s complex this August complete with tarot readings, magic and sideshows courtesy of 20 Penny Circus, and hypnotism from Larry Silver. There will be live music n the afternoon outside as well from the Getbye,…
Marco Rubio, a Florida senator who once lobbed a football directly into a little kid’s head, says he wishes he could just spend Sunday afternoons watching the NFL and not be reminded of the horrifying reality he helped create. Speaking to TMZ, Rubio responded to the league’s recent decision to suspend its ban on on-field…
Shepherd’s Hope – the largest free and charitable clinic in Florida – is teaming up with Nemours Children’s Health System to offer free back-to-school physicals for uninsured and underinsured children from now till to Aug. 1. Physicals will be offered at Memorial Shepherd’s Hope Health Center on Tuesday, July 24 from 6 p.m. to 9…
Florida Citrus Sports announced a new Stadium Pass that can be used over the next five months at Camping World Stadium for six major Orlando events. For $399, pass holders will get tickets for Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “On The Run Tour II” tour stop on Aug. 29, the Alabama and Louisville college football game on Sept. 1, the…
Announced Monday, President Donald Trump will hold one of his campaign-style “Make America Great Again” rallies in Tampa next week. According to his campaign, Trump plans to mention – no doubt in his inimitable manic, sputtering style – the nation’s economic standing and his latest pick for the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh. Naturally, Trump’s…
State Sen. Denise Grimsley would immediately order a “full audit” of Florida’s concealed-weapons licensing process, as well as examine the management structure of the program, if she is elected agriculture commissioner. And the Sebring Republican is joined by two of her primary opponents, former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven and Plant City businessman…
Guests visiting Universal Orlando will have some magical views of the Hogwarts Castle and the rest of the Universal theme parks with the opening of Bar 17 Bistro, Universal’s first rooftop bar and grill. The new theme park eatery will be located on the 17th floor of Universal’s newest hotel, Aventura Hotel, which is set to…
The Maitland City Council decided unanimously last night to move the Enzian Theater’s expansion plan to its final stage: a vote on Aug. 13. This “vote before the vote” was largely a technicality, but the Council could have decided not to vote on the proposal in August. That was unlikely, however, as the Maitland Planning and…
Democrat Chris King has put another $1 million of personal money into his bid for governor, bringing the total to more than $4.5 million since the Orlando-area businessman entered the race last year, according to a newly filed finance report. King, who is battling four other Democrats in the Aug. 28 primary, loaned $1 million…
Ahead of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration, more than half a dozen new restaurants are in development across the resort, including one that sits on top of a lake, two rooftop restaurants, and a cantina within the upcoming Star Wars land. But arguably one of the most anticipated restaurants is Epcot’s space new restaurant.…
Most of the midway attractions by Merlin, like their Madame Tussauds wax museums and their Sea Life aquariums, aren’t known for their thrills, but the latest concept by the U.K. company is all about pushing the limits of extreme thrills. The $26 million Bear Grylls Adventure slated to open in Birmingham, England this fall is…
LGBTQ advocates are demanding Gov. Rick Scott address the deaths of four black transgender women who were murdered in Orlando and Jacksonville within the past five months. Last Thursday, Orange County deputies found Sasha Garden, 27, dead with signs of trauma on her body in the back of the Reserve at Lake Buchanan Apartments. Garden is the fourth…
Anne Conway, an Orlando-area federal judge, was one of four signatures approving the FBI’s request to wiretap Carter Page, a former adviser to then-candidate Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, according to more than 400 pages of documents relating to Page’s surveillance. The Trump administration released the documents on Friday, following threats of a lawsuit from…
Rapper Mac Miller, aka Larry Fisherman, will bring “The Swimming Tour” to University of Central Florida’s CFE Arena this fall. Following the release of his next album, Swimming, on Aug. 3, Miller will be at CFE on Friday, Nov. 16, alongside special guests Thundercat and J.I.D. Tickets, which start at $28, go on sale this…
Orlando commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Monday that would stop police from asking “law-abiding” people about their immigration status. On the steps of City Hall before the council meeting, Mayor Buddy Dyer said that even in a welcoming city like Orlando, he’s heard from residents who are anxious and afraid because of the federal government’s…
More tour dates have been added to the widely popular “LIT AF” Comedy Tour, hosted by Martin Lawrence with DeRay Davis, Jay Pharoah, Michael Blackson and Clayton Thomas, and Orlando made the cut. The tour will be coming to the Amway Center on Oct. 6. It marks Lawrence’s return to the stand-up stage shortly after the…
Sibling trio and Mmm-Bop sensations Hanson are heading out on an ambitious run of North American dates dubbed “Hanson String Theory” wherein the three brothers will reinterpret their greatest hits (and some new songs) with the aid of a full symphony orchestra. And Central Florida fans will only have one chance to see this collaboration for…
Enigmatic R&B star Maxwell today announced his “50 Intimate Nights” North American theater tour set to begin this fall, and one of said nights will be in the City Beautiful. It’s a good time right now to be a Maxwell fan, with the singer announcing the tour on the heels of his first new track…
Meats, cheeses and espresso galore – Stasio’s Italian Deli is finally open in the Milk District. Stasio’s debuted early this morning at 210 N. Bumby Ave., announcing operating hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The deli features hot and cold Italian sandwiches, salads, packaged cheese and meats, but there will not be table…
With 17 dead, the Ride the Ducks boating accident in Branson, Missouri, is one of the deadliest tourism accidents in recent history. The incident occurred Thursday evening when an intense storm hit the duck boat as the amphibious vehicle was making its way across Table Rock Lake. With winds reaching near hurricane strength, waves crashed over…
Despite Universal still not officially confirming the new park on their recently purchased southern property, we now know what the name of the theme park may be. Last month Universal trademarked the name “Fantastic Worlds” for use in amusement parks. Around the same time, a supposed guest survey was sent out by the company asking…
The carcass of an adult whale shark washed up on a Sanibel beach Sunday morning. A video posted to Facebook shows the 21-foot-long shark lying lifeless on the sand. The shark was reportedly found among dead fish, raising speculation that red tide may have something to do with the animal’s death, according to the News-Press.…
A Clearwater man will not face charges after shooting and killing another man in a convenience store parking lot last Thursday, according to police. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Friday to announce that no charges will be held against Michael Drejka, who is white, because he is protected under Florida’s controversial…
State lawmakers on Thursday resolved a budget glitch and freed up $3.18 million for homeless programs across the state. Lawmakers in March approved funding for the State Office on Homelessness when they passed an $89 billion budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. But the Legislature failed to specifically authorize the homeless spending in the annual…
A political committee that plays a key role in Republican Adam Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign spent $2.73 million during a recent week-long period, with most of the money going toward advertising. The committee Florida Grown spent the money from July 7 through July 13 and had nearly $8.1 million in cash on hand at the end…
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s “Band of the Week.” Every week, we highlight one of our favorite local bands. This week, we’re pleased to bring you Call In Dead. Call In Dead are playing July 26 at Will’s Pub with Unsane, Wrong, and Bloodlet and Aug. 10 at Will’s Pub for Moat Cobra’s CD release show…
DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery, the quaint Jamaican vegan joint that once graced the Citgo gas station on North Orange Blossom Trail near Lee Road, will move into its permanent space in Eatonville on Aug. 1. Owner Jenneil “Jenn” Ross closed her Citgo locale on June 30 after exactly one year of serving such meatless…
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Echo & the Bunnymen and Violent Femmes, House of Blues, July 201 Only a couple months before their Orlando date was announced, I was looped in on a Facebook thread that bemoaned the lack of historical respect for Echo and the Bunnymen. I didn’t fully agree but I got my friend’s point.…
Aug. 1 marks the birthday of Grateful Dead mainstay, famed guitarist and hippie icon Jerry Garcia. And though Garcia has been gone for many years now, both his legend and fanbase remains strong. So there are, naturally, nearby opportunities to pay tribute to his musical legacy. Fathom Events is putting on a cinematic Grateful Dead…
Apologies to every other police department out there. OPD has the #InMyFeelingsChallenge on 🔒. A post shared by City of Orlando (@thecitybeautiful) on Jul 20, 2018 at 6:03am PDT A new challenge has risen, and our local police has accepted it. After Drake dropped his highly anticipated Scorpion album, the hit song “In My Feelings”…
Kissimmee will get its first LGBTQ support center this summer. The LGBT+ Center of Kissimmee at 21 W. Monument Ave. will hold a grand opening ceremony on August 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Staff, volunteers and elected officials are expected to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Complementary drinks will be provided,…
A week after it was announced that Florida’s Gross Domestic Product is worth $1 trillion, which would make it the 17th largest economy in the world if it were a country, a new study from the United Way shows that the majority of us wouldn’t be able to tell. A study released Thursday by United…
The Florida Department of Transportation has been under fire for the SunPass fiasco over the past few weeks, and things just keep getting worse. Since the electronic toll collector has gone offline for a system-wide update, issues continue to plague normal operations, including millions of unprocessed transactions and duplicate charges, leading to increasing frustration from…
A federal judge has again ordered FEMA to extend its hotel voucher program for Puerto Rican evacuees, this time until midnight on Aug. 6 Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Timothy Hillman directed the federal agency to extend its Transitional Shelter Assistance Program until July 23 for about 1,200 Puerto Rican households displaced from the…
The Orange County school district is set to spend an additional $11.6 million to boost security measures on campus in the coming year. However, citing state law in a post on the schools’ Facebook page, the district says it will remain mum on the details for now. According to the update, the district has spent…
A legislative panel agreed Thursday to boost the budget of the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use by $13.29 million to help pay for issuing new licenses and covering the costs of ongoing litigation. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which includes House and Senate members, unanimously approved $7.34 million to help the office process an…
The Republican Party of Florida last week put $100,000 into an effort to pass a controversial education ballot measure in November. The GOP sent the money to a political committee known as 8isGreat.org, which is trying to build support for the proposed constitutional amendment, according to a committee finance report posted on the state Division…
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND The Body, Lingua Ignota and Freakazoid, Will’s Pub, July 18 Originally emerging from the same notable Rhode Island bedlam that unleashed Lightning Bolt, adventurous duo the Body have roots that are deep in metal and noise. But over time, they’ve evolved into a categorically experimental heavy act, transcending either of those boxes…
A transgender woman was found dead Thursday morning at an Orlando apartment complex. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says her body, which had signs of trauma, was found at around 5 a.m. in the back of the Reserve at Lake Buchanan Apartments on Holden Avenue, near Orange Blossom Trail. The woman was identified as Sasha…
Rep. Val Demings (D-Florida) announced today that she’s joining a group of bipartisan congressional lawmakers in introducing the Secure America from Russian Interference Act. According to a news release from Demings, who represents Florida’s 10th congressional district, the new legislation incorporates previous bipartisan bills, such as the Defend Against Russian Disinformation and Aggression Act. The…
The Crystal Lake Winn-Dixie celebrated a re-grand opening today after getting a major face lift. Back in March, the supermarket chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was forced to close 94 locations nationwide, three of those being in Orlando. The company then resurfaced from bankruptcy and announced plans to remodel their stores. The 2960 Curry…
Former Orlando mayoral candidate Paul Paulson is being sued after six states and the Federal Trade Commission accused him of running his nonprofit Help the Vets Inc. as a “sham charity.” The lawsuit was settled before it was filed, with Paulson agreeing to pay $1.75 million to legitimate veterans charities, which is more than double the…
Get fuzzy with a free shot of Cuervo at the grand opening of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop downtown, 5-10 p.m. Friday. The latest location of Fuzzy’s opened recently at 131 N. Orange Ave., between Jefferson and Washington streets. The Texas-based taco chain specializes in “frosty drinks” and “good vibes,” according to their website. You can peruse the…
On Tuesday night, prior to his performance at a concert venue in Roanoke, Virginia, Ted Nugent fans were told they wouldn’t be allowed to bring their firearms into the show. Nugent’s management cited events like the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as their reasoning. It’s especially odd considering that Nugent is a National Rifle Association…
Orlando-based musician Tiger Fawn has just released a new music video for live favorite “Little Birdie.” The disorienting VHS-inspired clip is chock full of surreal imagery and reminds us of some of the more adventurous underground glitch video work in the 1980s. Tiger Fawn, the solo vehicle of Orlando music scene fixture Dani Lacerda, melds…
Lou Forges, an Ocoee Democrat running against Anna Eskamani in House District 47, has dropped out of the race. In an email to her supporters on Thursday afternoon, Eskamani said Forges had officially left the primary. “I will never back down from protecting our democracy from corrupt political games and dirty tricks,” Eskamani said in a…
Publix announced it will introduce Kahwa Coffee, a St. Petersburg-based coffee, to its new in-store cafes set to open by the end of the year. Of the 130 new cafe locations across the southeast, Winter Garden and Bradenton will be the first stores to offer the local product. Both spots now have cafes open and…
After getting a late start in the race, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Greene put $9.6 million of his money into the campaign in less than a month, according to a finance report posted on the state Division of Elections website. Greene, a billionaire businessman from Palm Beach County, loaned $2.5 million to his campaign July…
While reeling in a 3-foot shark last week, a Florida fisherman helplessly watched as his catch was devoured by a massive 500-pound Goliath grouper. The snatch and grab occurred just off the coast of Everglades City, Florida, during a charter with Everglades Fishing Company. “That same grouper later swallowed a stingray — or manta ray,”…
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday urged the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to approve $340 million in federal block grant funding to help the state’s hurricane-ravaged citrus industry. The money was part of a $2.36 billion disaster-relief package approved by Congress in February. The state Division of Emergency Management will administer the money, leading to the…
The Florida Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved a rule to help move forward with a controversial new program that will let bullied students transfer to private schools. With some 2.8 million students returning to their classrooms next month, “Hope” scholarships will allow students who are victims of bullying or other violence to receive…
A Leon County circuit judge will hear arguments July 30 in a dispute about whether a candidate for a Central Florida House seat properly qualified to run. Judge John Cooper on Wednesday issued an order scheduling the hearing in the lawsuit filed July 6 by Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat running in state House District…
A Leon County circuit judge is scheduled to hear arguments next week in a battle about a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban greyhound racing at Florida dog tracks. The Florida Greyhound Association, which represents breeders and owners of racing dogs, filed a lawsuit in May seeking to keep the proposed constitutional amendment off the…
Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Orlando on Wednesday to show face for a good friend of his father’s: Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis, whose speech at the B.B. King’s Blues Club on International Drive consisted of bitter attacks against his primary opponent Adam Putnam and warm praise for President Trump. “I’m a principled, proven conservative…
Nearly 26 years after a woman was beaten and stabbed to death in her Miami-Dade County home, Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday said her murderer should die by lethal injection on Aug. 14. Scott signed a death warrant for inmate Jose Antonio Jimenez, who was convicted in the October 1992 killing of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas,…
Nearly two months after fans from both teams threw garbage on the Orlando City Soccer field, Orlando City SC has reinstated Atlanta United FC’s organized supporter groups’ privileges. “Both clubs agree that with this mutual goodwill, our supporters will continue to make our stadiums the most exciting in MLS while maintaining safe environments,” Orlando City SC…
A Texas woman visiting Key West will serve 15 days in jail after collecting 40 conch shells that she planned to give away as gifts. The woman, Diana Fiscal-Gonzalez from Dallas, was tipped off and arrested on July 13 by an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She was also sentenced to six…
Conspiracy theory tinkerer and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz just told Hill.TV that he regrets appearing on a radio show hosted by the widely hated Infowars founder Alex Jones. “I would not go back on Alex Jones’ show,” Gaetz told Buck Sexton and Krystal Ball, who co-host the show Rising. “Upon further reflection, I think the…
It’s that time of year again, when the formally nonpartisan National Rifle Association hands out A-ratings to Republican candidates and F-ratings for Democratic candidates. State Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park seems to have passed his test and according to the NRA’s ratings, he was given an A. Miller is facing off against former U.S. Senate advisor…
Wednesday, July 18 Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. The Daniel Heitz Band 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Thursday, July 19 Leisure Chief 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Raleigh Estes and Friends 8 pm at Muldoon’s Saloon, 7439 Aloma Ave.,…
Winter Park will soon get its very own Lucky’s Market, where shoppers can find affordable organic and specialty food options. This will be the natural food grocer’s fourth location in the Orlando area. The store will take over the old Winn-Dixie location at 7580 University Blvd. and is set to open sometime in fall 2018.…
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala endorsed Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in his bid for Florida governor. Ayala, who was elected as the first African American state attorney in Florida, endorsed Gillum for the Democratic primary at a campaign event in Orlando on Tuesday. “Throughout this race, he’s shown courage – and I mean true courage,”…
The final piece was placed on the blue-and-gray tower of SeaWorld’s newest attraction Infinity Falls this past weekend. The park says the latest addition will be the world’s tallest river rapids attraction, and will give visitors a view of the Orlando skyline. The opening date has not been set, but the park says that an…
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Florida State University will relocate a campus statue of a former slaveholder and will seek approval to remove the name of a pro-segregation Supreme Court justice from a law-school building, university president John Thrasher announced Tuesday. “The great value of history is understanding and learning from it so we can move forward,” Thrasher said in…
The names of six finalists for two open positions on the Florida Public Service Commission were forwarded Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott, with the list including two commissioners seeking reappointment to the panel that regulates utilities such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Gulf Power and Tampa Electric Co. The Public Service Commission…
Are you looking for a new furry friend? Meet Boss! Boss (A408032) is a sweet 4-year-old boy who was surrendered by his owners because they could no longer care for him. Boss is what his name says he is: a BOSS! He enjoys playing outside, going on runs and eating treats! Come in to adopt…
It doesn’t matter if Chris King has lived in the polling basement throughout his campaign for Florida governor, or that his bid hasn’t gained much traction with either elites or Democratic Party activists. Nor does it matter that all the savvy politicos think the logical move would be for him to bow out of the…
But the money, honey
Orlando Magic suspend partnership with Papa John’s: The Magic suspended their partnership with Papa John’s after news broke that former chairman John Schnatter used a racial slur during a media training exercise in May. The franchise made the announcement on Twitter, officially halting their relationship with the franchise. Before the severed connection, the Magic had…
OPENINGS: Cinco Tacos & Tequila, offering such dishes as tableside guacamole, adobo fried chicken, “pizza-stand nachos” and “fajita chimichanga samosas,” will soft-open to the public on July 20 … Look for Jimmy Hula’s to open one of their “urban express” locations inside the Basement Bar at 68 E. Pine St. … Foxtail Coffee and vegan…
Angels in America Trust us when we say that New York’s Angels in America (not the award-winning play) are the most raw and compelling No Wave assault you can experience today. Finally a Florida show! 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Stardust Video & Coffee, $5 The Romantics Detroit power-pop overlords (“That’s What I Like About…
Last week, Orlando’s cultural community lost its biggest, brightest booster with the passing of philanthropist Harriett Lake. Lake was a beloved legend in Central Florida, as much for her outrageously fabulous senses of fashion and humor as for the fortune in arts funding she donated. I was lucky enough to interview Lake in 2014 when…
Sure, you’ve seen some of this year’s runaway blockbusters like Black Panther and Incredibles 2. But maybe you’re wondering which arthouse fare you’ll be wanting to keep an eye out for in the run up to the year end awards season. 2018 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for cinema. Some recurring themes…
THIS WEEK: The Equalizer 2 Before its release, the first Equalizer movie looked like the apotheosis of a project that didn’t justify its licensing fees. Why bother using the name of an almost-forgotten TV series to attract an audience to a garden-variety Denzel Washington picture like copious others (Man on Fire, anyone)? But the 2014…
I’m a 20-year-old submissive woman. I’m currently in a confusing affair with a 50-year-old dominant married man. He lives in Europe and has two kids close to my age. We met online when I was 17 and starting to explore my BDSM desires – out of the reach of my overbearing, sex-shaming, disastrously religious parents…
