Florida Supreme Court rejects appeal from death-row inmate set to die May 1

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/21 9:37A Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by condemned killer Jeffrey Hutchinson, as his attorneys continue pursuing other cases in state and federal courts to try to prevent a scheduled May 1 execution. Justices...

Orange school district to lose 3,100 students, millions in funds next year

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/21 8:37A Steven Walker

Orange County Public Schools it is expected to lose about 3,100 students and $27.8 million in state funding for next school year, a loss that has prompted fears about teacher layoffs and crowded classrooms. In a recent memo to employees, OCPS...

Delta plane engine catches fire before takeoff at Orlando International Airport

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/21 7:22A Associated Press

ORLANDO (AP) — A Delta Air Lines airplane caught fire on Monday before it was supposed to take off at Orlando International Airport, forcing the evacuation of passengers, airport officials said. There were no reports of any injuries during the...

Disney: Hotel deal for 2026 includes free dining for kids

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/21 4:38A Dewayne Bevil

Walt Disney World is rolling out a hotel-kids dining plan offer for 2026 , and reservations for next year can be made as of Tuesday, the resort has announced. Visitors who stay at one of the more than 25 Disney hotels will get a free dining plan...

Central Florida is warm and dry with cloudy skies

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/21 2:15A Garfield Hylton

Central Florida weather is warm and dry, with cloudy skies Temperatures will be in the high 80s on the interior and low 80s along the coast, according to NWS Melbourne. There is no forecast for rain. A moderate risk of life-threatening rip...

Kissimmee Commission to select downtown hotel partner in May

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 4/21 12:00A Laura Kinsler

The Kissimmee City Commission will vote May 6 on a potential downtown hotel development partner after listening to four proposals during a workshop earlier this week. “Two very different projects, and...

The toll road through Split Oak Forest appears to be a done deal

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 4/21 12:00A Stephen Hudak

Despite the hopes and efforts of Split Oak Forest s most zealous defenders, the Central Florida Expressway Authority s contentious plan to build a stretch of toll road through the prized preserve is speeding ahead. It s very frustrating to all of...

Man shot, killed by Orlando police after fight breaks out downtown

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/20 4:35A Elainie Barraza

A man with a gun was shot and killed early Sunday by officers after a fight broke out in downtown Orlando, the Orlando Police Department said. OPD said Crime Center detectives were monitoring the area of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard when...

Mortgage accelerator loan: What is it and how does it work?

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 4/20 3:00A Tribune News Service

By Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Bankrate.com In broad terms, mortgage acceleration or an accelerator loan is any program that “helps homeowners pay off their mortgage balances much earlier, resulting in significant interest savings over the life of...

With tumult in their new home and homeland, Central Florida’s Venezuelans wonder where to turn

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/20 1:00A Natalia Jaramillo

Alfonzo Castillo came to the U.S. in 2019, fleeing the oppressive Venezuelan regime with his wife, daughter and a dream to keep his restaurant alive. He s done more than just that — graduating from a food truck to two restaurants, one in Orlando...

Is it time to break up with your real estate agent?

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 4/19 3:00A Tribune News Service

By Kacie Goff, Bankrate.com Per the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Member Profilec , a typical agent had 10 transactions in the last year. With roughly one deal closing per month, the agent you hire should theoretically have bandwidth...

‘Pulling the rug’: Cuts to AP, other classes will hurt low-income students, educators say

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 4/19 1:00A Steven Walker

Jaz Soto, a 17-year-old junior at Colonial High School, has a roadmap to college — one that should make her the first in her family to attend and let her do so tuition-free. She’s in the Cambridge...

Central Florida faces growing fire threat with deepening drought

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 4/19 1:00A Martin E. Comas

With an intensifying drought anticipated to last at least through mid-May, the Central Florida region faces a serious threat for destructive wildfires that can spark quickly and spread rapidly,...

Plant Doctor: That tree’s a peach, but do you know how to care for it?

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 4/19 12:00A Thomas Maccubbin

Question : Our peach tree produced a good crop this year. When does it need pruning and what care is needed to continue good production? Answer : Congratulations on a great crop of fruit....

5 men tied to Tren de Aragua arrested in Osceola, Polk sheriff says

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 4/18 9:40A Cristóbal Reyes

Five Venezuelan immigrants with alleged ties to Tren de Aragua have been jailed in Osceola County following a string of dozens of retail thefts committed throughout Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriff s Office. The suspects —...