Orlando City Council to vote on who could build Pulse memorial

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/11 11:03A Silas Morgan

The $12 million memorial to the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting could be one step closer to completion Monday, as the Orlando City Council will vote on whether to begin contract...

Brightline seeks $400M to kick off plans for Orlando-to-Tampa route

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 7/11 8:47A Martin E. Comas

Brightline Florida is rolling forward with plans to extend its high-speed rail service from the Orlando International Airport to Tampa by seeking to borrow up to $400 million to help fund the first phase of the project. Since September 2023,...

Maxwell: In their 80s, Apopka nuns still fight for justice — with new help

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/11 7:50A Scott Maxwell

More than half a century ago, the Catholic diocese dispatched four nuns to fast-growing Central Florida with a simple charge: Find those in need, those who don’t have many other allies, and help them...

Alleged Marcos Lopez co-conspirator still on the lam month after his arrest

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/11 6:18A Cristóbal Reyes

When prosecutors announced the arrest of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, they said there were five co-conspirators involved with him in an illegal gambling ring. They quickly rounded up all but...

Central Florida is trending hotter as rain chances increase on the interior

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/11 3:35A Garfield Hylton

Rain and lightning storm chances have increased as Central Florida trends toward getting hotter. Chances are 50 to 60 percent near the Orlando metro and 40 to 50 percent near the coast, according to NWS Melbourne. Temperatures near the metro...

Kennedy Space Center opens The Gantry at LC-39 attractions

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/11 12:06A Dewayne Bevil

There’s a new stop along the popular tour at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex , and it presents views that showcase Florida s nature and modern technology. The Gantry at LC-39 is now available to...

Artist’s journey inspires OMA to help the visually impaired see art anew

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 11:00P Matthew J. Palm

When Kelly Joy Ladd looks around, she sees a planet full of energy and love — ideas she channels into her art. Now her artistic vision, on view at Orlando Museum of Art , will be even more accessible:...

Darkness is crucial to Everglades habitat. Could Alligator Alcatraz threaten it?

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 3:17A Max Chesnes

Surrounded by the low hum of swamp bugs, Anthony Sleiman pointed his camera to the west. The conservation photographer was more than 15 miles from the state’s newly built immigrant detention center, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. But just before 10...

‘The new normal?’ What the die-off mystery in the Keys means for endangered sawfish

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 1:59A Jenny Staletovich

Nearly two years after one of the planet’s rarest fish began washing up dead in the Lower Keys, scientists investigating the deaths say one thing seems certain: whatever caused it will likely be around for years to come. “We re gonna probably...

Scattered storms and showers expected in the afternoon

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 1:12A Garfield Hylton

Scattered storms and showers are expected on Thursday afternoon. Storm hazards include frequent lightning, gusty winds of up to 55 mph and locally heavy rainfall, according to the NWS Melbourne. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-90s across...

Disney shares holiday party dates for Jollywood, Very Merry

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 12:06A Dewayne Bevil

Walt Disney World has unwrapped dates and fresh details about two after-hours holiday events, Mickey s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney s Hollywood...

New ICE pact could have Orange jail staff driving immigrants to Alligator Alcatraz

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/10 12:00A Stephen Hudak, Kairi Lowery

Orange County jail staff could be directed — at county expense — to haul immigration detainees to Alligator Alcatraz or other detention facilities used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement if county commissioners approve an amended pact with...

Universal’s Woodbury set for IAAPA Expo session

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/9 7:20A Dewayne Bevil

Mark Woodbury , chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences , will be the speaker at IAAPA Expo s leadership breakfast in November. Among Woodbury s recent achievements is the opening of Epic Universe , the first theme park to debut...

Inspections lead to single Central Florida restaurant emergency shutdown last week

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/9 4:45A Garfield Hylton

One Central Florida restaurant shut down the week of June 29-July 5, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Volusia China Master, at 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd. Suite 148, in Daytona Beach...

Warm and humid conditions persist as scattered showers and storms continue

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/9 1:50A Garfield Hylton

Wednesday has near-normal rain chances with seasonably hot temperatures. Rain chances are 30 to 50 percent along the coast and 50 to 60 percent on the interior, according to NWS Melbourne. Temperatures are in the low-to-mid 90s across the region,...