Florida seeks to head off challenges to law suspending local growth limits

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/16 4:05A Jim Saunders

TALLAHASSEE — With a judge slated to hear arguments this week, the state is trying to short-circuit constitutional challenges to a new law that blocks cities and counties from approving more restrictive or burdensome changes to growth plans....

Oviedo Hanukkah celebration offers healing insight with Jewish traditions

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/16 3:02A Rich Pope

Rabbi Dubov, of Chabad of Oviedo–Winter Springs, at the forefront of a Hanukkah celebration held at Center Lake Park in Oviedo on Monday night, greeted and mingled with those in attendance. Young...

I got to help release a bald eagle back into the wild, and it was amazing

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/16 2:31A Roger Simmons

I was invited by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland to help release a rehabilitated bald eagle on Dec. 5. And it was an amazing experience. The female eagle, who was about 5 years old,...

Preschool expulsions target of counselors working in Orange daycares

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/16 2:00A Michael Cuglietta

When Dawn Orsaeo dropped her son Gabriel off at preschool, the boy would usually cry because he didn’t want his mother to leave. For much of the day, the three-year-old would remain upset, often...

Cool start will have pleasant and cloudy afternoon

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/16 1:46A Garfield Hylton

Tuesday starts cool, but pleasant weather will arrive during a cloudy afternoon. The day will be mostly dry, but a few sprinkles could move onshore, according to NWS Melbourne. Orlando and the surrounding areas have peak temperatures at 71...

Driver dead, passenger injured after rollover crash in Winter Garden

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/15 3:44A Elainie Barraza

Two men from Orlando are dead after a fatal crash Monday morning on State Road 429 southbound at mile marker 17 in Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The fatal crash happened in the southbound lanes of S.R. 429 near Winter Garden...

Pictures: Best of 2025 feature photos by Orlando Sentinel photographers

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/15 1:34A Joe Burbank, Stephen Dowell, Wil

A great egret makes a snack out of a bluegill sunfish on Lake Sybelia in Maitland on April 30, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Dancers from Visit Orlando entertain with colorful balloons as the...

Florida’s new immigration policies are upending lives, USF study finds

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/14 11:00P Juan Carlos Chavez

Immigration policies in Florida and under President Donald Trump’s administration have not only upended the lives of unauthorized immigrants, but have also deeply affected those with legal status, according to a new study by researchers at...

The end of the lunch bowl era

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/14 3:30A Tribune News Service

By Redd Brown, Dina Katgara, Bloomberg News Americans are increasingly over the “slop bowl.” Chipotle, Sweetgreen and Cava — once stars of the restaurant industry — are struggling as diners tire of all those pick-your-own ingredients piled atop...

Weather might cause issues, but ULA, SpaceX could fly 3 launches within 12 hours

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/14 2:21A Richard Tribou

Dicey weather could cause issues, but three rockets from SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are lined up to launch from the Space Coast beginning Sunday night that could set a record with three Florida-based missions launched within 12 hours. Up...

Former Sheriff Marcos Lopez faces racketeering charges alone after others take pleas

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 12/14 12:00A Cristóbal Reyes

Six months after seven people were arrested and accused of running a Central Florida gambling enterprise , only one is left to face trial on racketeering charges: former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez. Lopez is accused of helping establish...

Four Seasons-branded condo tower completed in Disney’s tony Golden Oak

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/14 12:00A Tiffani Sherman

The first residents have moved into the recently completed condo tower at the Four Seasons Private Residences in Disney’s exclusive Golden Oak community, occupying some of the swankiest — and priciest...

Save our ‘beloved’ schools: Orange parents protest campus closures

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/14 12:00A Steven Walker

Amanda Weber met her husband in the halls of Bonneville Elementary School when they were in fourth grade. Now her son is a second grader on the same campus. The east Orange County school, which opened...

Family of Kissimmee man who died after Epic coaster ride reaches deal with Universal, attorney says

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/13 7:40A Brian Bell

The family of a Kissimmee man who was fatally injured in September while riding the Stardust Racers coaster at Epic Universe has reached an amicable resolution with Universal Orlando Resort, their...

December is a great time to buy a new car and this is why

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/13 3:00A Associated Press

By JOSH JACQUOT, Edmunds If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, the remaining weeks of December could very well be a great time to buy. Several recurring industry trends converge at year-end, creating favorable conditions that can help you...