Community News
Monday, May 25, 2026 · Belle Isle
Orange County Animal Services Warns Against Leaving Pets in Hot Cars
Orange County Animal Services warns residents not to leave pets in parked vehicles, where interior temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes.
Second Harvest Food Bank Expands Job Training Beyond Culinary
Second Harvest Food Bank launches Career Pathways, adding customer service training to its established culinary program. The expansion responds to local employers' workforce needs.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Children's Home Society of Florida receives Truist Foundation grant
Children's Home Society of Florida received a Truist Foundation grant to expand community partnership school programs that support economic mobility.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Orange County Urges Special Needs Families to Register Before Hurricane Season
Orange County opens registration for its People with Special Needs Program, which provides specialized evacuation assistance for residents dependent on medical equipment or additional care during hurricanes.
Monday, May 25, 2026
YMCA Board Leader Discusses Path to Community Service
Julie Kleffel, immediate past board chair of the YMCA of Central Florida, discussed her path to community leadership in a new video series released by the organization.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Orange County Converts Wekiwa Springs Homes to Sewer System
Orange County Utilities has been converting septic systems to sewer infrastructure around Wekiwa Springs since 2021 to reduce nutrient pollution and protect the springs' ecosystem.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Second Harvest Culinary Program Lands Krystal a Hotel Job
Orlando resident Krystal completed Second Harvest's culinary training program and secured a hotel job, providing stability for her two children.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Orlando Man Charged With Mortgage and COVID Relief Fraud
An Orlando resident faces federal charges related to mortgage and COVID relief fraud, with prosecutors seeking nearly $160,000 in forfeiture.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Orange County Tourism Hits Record High in 2025
Orange County saw a record-breaking 77 million visitors in 2025, the highest number ever in a single year.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Workforce Training Opens Culinary Path for Tiquana in Orlando
Tiquana, an Orlando resident, overcame housing instability and financial hardship to pursue her culinary dreams through a local workforce training program.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Share your Heart with One Heart
One Heart for Women and Children continues to serve Orlando by distributing hundreds of food bags weekly, running a Thrift Shop, and connecting people with services and housing.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Madison Builds Independence at Quest Village
Orlando resident Madison discovered independence and community at Quest Village, a residential community that supports individuals with disabilities.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Orange County to Auction Dill Road Property in Foreclosure Sale
Orange County Sheriff John W. Mina will auction a Dill Road property on June 30, 2026, to satisfy a judgment in favor of Golden Shoppes LLC.
Monday, May 25, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Gadget Review: Release of New Airy Pods
A new review highlights the recently released Airy Pods, praising their design, sound quality, noise cancellation, and battery life for Orlando tech enthusiasts.
Monday, May 25, 2026
DRMP Celebrates Groundbreaking of the City of Davenport’s New City Hall
DRMP and City of Davenport officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the new City Hall, which will provide a centralized location for city services.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Heart of Florida United Way Awards $65,000 to 4C's Head Start Programs
Heart of Florida United Way invested $65,000 in 4C's Head Start programs for low-income families in Central Florida.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Quest Rebrands Blossom Artisanal as House 81
Quest renamed its social venture House 81 to highlight the 81% unemployment rate among people with developmental disabilities and expand employment opportunities for the population.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Quest Training Center Staff Member Candice Hancock Recognized for Work with Participants
Candice Hancock, a direct support professional at Quest's Training Center in Apopka, earned recognition for her work with participants who have developmental disabilities, including teaching sign language and mentoring new staff.
Monday, May 25, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Monday, May 25, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Monday, May 25, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Monday, May 25, 2026