Kissimmee cop pleads guilty in excessive force case that ignited scandal

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 6:50A Cristóbal Reyes

The Kissimmee police officer whose brutal beating of a man two years ago sparked a scandal in his department pleaded guilty Friday to felony battery, witness tampering and official misconduct. Officer...

Epic’s ticket sales, hotel bookings strong, Comcast leaders say

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 5:42A Dewayne Bevil

Ticket sales for Epic Universe theme park and related hotel bookings are a little ahead of our expectations, Comcast Corp. president Mike Cavanagh said during the company s quarterly earnings call this week. The resort is well-positioned,...

Maxwell: Scandals for Dummies. Breaking down the Hope Florida fiasco

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 5:30A Scott Maxwell

The Hope Florida scandal has been a lot like an onion — if onions were capable of swindling $10 million from taxpayers. With every layer peeled, the stench has intensified. In just the last two weeks,...

At Orange County town hall, advocates ask: Would you support a homeless shelter?

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 3:51A Christie Zizo, Mike Valente

This story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida. It was originally published by WKMG News 6/ClickOrlando.com A town hall meeting on Thursday evening...

More dry weather as drought continues to worsen in Central Florida

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 1:02A Garfield Hylton

Another day of dry weather is in store for Central Florida. Temperature highs will be in the 80s across the region, according to NWS Melbourne. A new extreme drought has developed over portions of northern Lake and Volusia counties. Early May...

Campaign cash flows to Florida rep after switch to Republican Party

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 1:00A Anthony Man

After state Rep. Hillary Cassel left the Democratic Party and became a Republican, special interests and Republican-aligned organizations in the state capital started filling her campaign bank...

Osceola County takes steps to lead in state’s semiconductor industry

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/25 12:00A Natalia Jaramillo

In the not-so-distant future, the essential building blocks of electronic devices — from cellphones to missiles —  could come from Osceola County. Officials on Tuesday announced the launch of the Florida Semiconductor Engine at NeoCity, a project...

JJ and Alison Holmes ensure Floridians with disabilities are heard

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 3:46A Krys Fluker

Every year, the Orlando Sentinel asks community members to help us identify the heroes who make the biggest difference in local lives: The ones whose leadership, innovation and courage provide an inspiration to others. And from these nominees, we...

1 dead, 1 in critical condition after car crashes into scooter on SR 50

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 3:39A Garfield Hylton

One person is dead and one in critical condition after a crash between a car and a motorized scooter in Orange County. The crash happened on Wednesday around 11:02 p.m. at the State Road 50 and Taylor Creek Road intersection, according to a...

Florida House OKs bill that helps ease financial strains on condo owners

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 2:55A Dara Kam

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan that aims, in part, to ease financial strains on condominium owners, setting up negotiations with the Senate before next week’s scheduled end of the 2025 legislative...

Judge weighs suppressing evidence in sex crimes trial of Madeline Soto’s accused killer

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 1:29A Cristóbal Reyes

An Osceola County judge could deal a deathblow to the sex crimes trial of Stephan Sterns as he weighs whether detectives illegally seized a cellphone containing evidence of yearslong abuse of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. This comes after a...

Central Florida has more dry weather with partly sunny skies

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 1:23A Garfield Hylton

Dry weather and partly sunny skies are set for Central Florida on Thursday. Temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 80s for most of the region, according to NWS Melbourne. There are no chances of rain. A high risk of life-threatening rip currents...

Health inspections shut down 6 Central Florida restaurants last week

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/24 12:00A Garfield Hylton

Six Central Florida restaurants shut down the week of April 13-19, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation data. Orange El Cuba Catering #2 at 4880 Distribution Court in Orlando shut down on April 15....

Honors for arts leader, WUCF, film and Orlando’s best-known drag queen

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/23 11:00P Matthew J. Palm

Central Florida is racking up the accolades when it comes to the arts: Here are just a few of the latest honors bestowed on people and organizations adding to our cultural scene. THERESA SMITH-LEVIN:...

Maxwell: More tax dollars for WrestleMania than a full NFL season? Fuzzy math

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/23 8:17A Scott Maxwell

On Tuesday, Orange County commissioners voted to give $29 million to two extremely wealthy and profitable sports and entertainment groups — the WWE and the Jacksonville Jaguars. I’d argue that, in a perfect world, neither of these deep-pocketed...