Maxwell: $925/hr legal bills, $494,000 per degree. The costs of cronyism at Florida universities

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 7:11A Scott Maxwell

Over the last few years, Florida has gone from being the Sunshine State to the Political Patronage State. Campaign donors and political allies keep cashing in — on no-bid construction contracts down at “ Alligator Alcatraz ,” shady insider deals...

IAAPA Expo: SeaWorld debuts SEAQuest vehicle

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 6:57A Dewayne Bevil

SeaWorld Orlando has revealed the ride vehicle for its upcoming SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep , an indoor attraction that will sway left and right while moving forward in a simulated underwater experience. The vehicle, unveiled on the show floor...

Florida’s Turnpike set to be widened, providing relief for growing southern Osceola

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 5:41A Natalia Jaramillo

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to add some desperately needed lanes to one of the only major highways in and out of a booming southern Osceola County. Florida s Turnpike will be widened from four lanes to six along one of...

Strolling through the streets, holiday treats of SeaWorld, Jollywood

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 4:59A Dewayne Bevil

This holiday season at Orlando’s theme parks is a bit like that comfy cardigan you’ve had stowed away for several months. It’s totally familiar, full of memories and, oh, there are a couple of things...

Central Florida school district part of drone pilot program to combat shooting threats

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 3:24A Garfield Hylton

A Central Florida school district has been selected for a new drone program targeting school safety. On Monday, the Volusia County Sheriff s Office announced the district s partnership with a Texas-based company, Campus Guardian Angel, focused on...

Tuesday has morning fog before sunny skies take over

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/18 1:23A Garfield Hylton

Tuesday morning fog will eventually give way to sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s. The fog is reducing visibility, particularly south of Orlando to the Treasure Coast, according to NWS Melbourne. Warm weather and mostly sunny skies are...

Regina Hill wants Orlando’s election results tossed, or to be declared winner

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/17 7:43A Ryan Gillespie

The latest chapter in the saga of Regina Hill may play out in court. Hill, who was suspended from her Orlando City Council post last year after a felony indictment, is suing incumbent Commissioner Shan Rose and the city, challenging the results...

Monday has patchy fog early, but the day will be mostly sunny

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/17 12:37A Garfield Hylton

Patchy fog is expected in the area before 8 a.m., but Monday is expected to be sunny. Temperature highs top out at 81 degrees, according to NWS Melbourne. There is a moderate risk of rip currents at area beaches. A look ahead shows temperatures...

Dr. Phillips Center’s holiday gift to Orlando: A free monthlong festival

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/16 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has a plan to make downtown Orlando extra merry and bright during this year s holiday season with a new free outdoor festival featuring seasonal movies,...

2 teens die, several injured in Lake County crash

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/16 1:55A Richard Tribou

Two teens died in a two-car crash in Lake County on Saturday that left several others injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision occurred when a 2008 Toyota Scion driven by a 16-year-old girl from Groveland was traveling...

Dry, sunny day on tap again Sunday for Central Florida

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/16 1:42A Richard Tribou

The sunny skies, clear skies are back again Sunday for Central Florida, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. This continues a seasonably warm weekend with highs in the upper 70s to near 80 and overnight lows near normal in the...

Growing struggle for public dollars worries Central Florida arts leaders

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/15 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

When Orange County commissioners approved $5.16 million in cultural-tourism grants at the end of October, it was a rare bright spot in an autumn of uncertainty for Central Florida s arts organizations. Local cultural leaders have cast a wary eye...

‘Just the way things were done’: Kissimmee deputy chief fired over excessive force scandal, report...

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/14 8:28A Silas Morgan

A recently fired Kissimmee deputy police chief failed to perform his duties and take proper action in the investigation of an officer who brutally beat a man and mired the agency in scandal, an internal affairs report shows. Wilson Muñoz, who had...

Trump cuts to subsidized rent programs could displace hundreds in Orlando, advocates say

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/14 8:17A Ryan Gillespie

As part of an effort to reinvent how America handles its homeless, the Trump administration is slashing funding to long-term housing programs, a decision advocates fear will force many of Central Florida’s disabled and most vulnerable back out...

100,000 ravers a day: EDC Orlando producers address overcrowding complaints

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 11/14 6:51A Patrick Connolly

As one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the country, EDC Orlando welcomed 300,000 ravers last weekend to behold an audiovisual spectacle that includes big-name DJs, pyrotechnics, massive...