2025 in review: The year on the Orlando arts scene

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/25 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

Relocations, renovations, expansions, returns and farewells: There was a lot of moving and shaking going on all year on Orlando s arts scene. Here s a look at what made headlines throughout 2025....

Americans facing a tough job market in 2025 won’t get a break next year

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/25 3:00A Tribune News Service

By Jarrell Dillard, Bloomberg News This year was a difficult one for Americans looking for work. Forecasters don’t see much improvement in their prospects coming in 2026. The unemployment rate is set to remain elevated through almost all of next...

Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks down to 6.18% this week

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/24 5:05A Associated Press

By MATT OTT, AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage ticked down modestly this week, remaining in the same narrow range of the past two months. Related Articles US stocks drift to more records on a...

US stocks drift to more records on a holiday-shortened day of trading

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/24 3:20A Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher and reached more records Wednesday on a holiday-shortened trading day. The S&P 500 index rose 22.26 points, or 0.3%, to 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 288.75, or 0.6%, to close at...

These are the best and worst things about new account bonus offers

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/24 3:00A Nerdwallet

By Ruth Sarreal, NerdWallet Getting cash for opening a new bank account and meeting a few requirements can be an effortless money grab. But it could also present missed opportunities if you ignore the finer details. I’m a bank bonuses expert and...

Kissimmee mom’s dying wish: Family raising $300K to build food pantry

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 11:00P Michael Cuglietta

Martha Cusimano was determined to build a new food pantry in Kissimmee. She ran one there for many years, feeding families in need and the homeless, but the cramped facility regularly ran out of food...

Health inspectors shut down 6 Central Florida restaurants last week

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 11:00P Richard Tribou

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shut down six Central Florida restaurants for health code violations during the week from Dec. 14-20. Orange King Cajun Crawfish Restaurant at 924 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando shut down on Dec....

Student’s costume creation is onstage and Broadway-bound

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

A Winter Park High School senior could see the whimsical holiday costume she designed as part of her theater studies on Broadway one day. And for the rest of the Christmas season, her design will be part of the Pomp, Snow & CIRQUEumstance show at...

Orlando will have itself a very balmy Christmas — unlike the rest of the U.S.

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 8:09A Martin E. Comas, Richard Tribou

While portions of the country celebrate the Christmas season with flood alerts and snow flurries, Central Floridians this week can expect sunny skies and warmer weather than normal. High temperatures are forecast to reach a balmy 78 degrees every...

Orange County wants full reimbursement for holding ICE detainees

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 7:25A Stephen Hudak

As immigration agents bring more and more ICE detainees to the Orange County jail, the county s cost grows heavier every day and Mayor Jerry Demings appealed this week in writing to federal authorities for relief in shouldering the burden. He...

‘Hush hush’: Texts show family discussed how to handle Anna Kepner death

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 7:19A Cristóbal Reyes

In the aftermath of Anna Kepner s death last month aboard a cruise ship, her family discussed how to protect their children — including the teen stepbrother considered a suspect by the FBI. Text messages released last week between divorced...

Ben Sasse, former UF president and U.S. senator, announces cancer diagnosis

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 6:14A Steven Walker

Ben Sasse, a former president at the University of Florida and U.S. Senator from Nebraska, has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, according to his social media. Sasse, 53, wrote in a post on his X account that he’s “gonna die.”...

Popular theme parks YouTuber ‘Adam the Woo’ found dead in Celebration home

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 3:48A Steven Walker

David Adam Williams, a popular theme parks and travel YouTuber known as Adam the Woo, was found dead Monday afternoon in his home in Celebration, deputies said. Osceola Sheriff’s deputies found Williams, 51, in his upstairs bedroom after a...

Maxwell: Christmas is a magical time, yet also dark, lonely for many. You can help

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 12/23 3:22A Scott Maxwell

Growing up in the Maxwell house, there was no more magical time than Christmas. Dad pumped Ray Conniff songs through the house. Mom personalized Christmas cards. And my brother, sister and I would gleefully work on gift lists and hand-deliver...

US economy expands at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter

Orlando Sentinel (Brinkmann On Business) 12/23 1:46A Associated Press

By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy economy expanded at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter as consumer spending, exports and government spending all grew. Related Articles A...