News in Orlando

Medicaid changes mean certain immigrants no longer qualify
Florida’s Department of Children and Families is removing certain refugees from Medicaid services starting today.

Florida Democrats think they'll break Republican supermajorities. What does that mean?
Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. Democrats say they can break both this November — and gain more legislative leverage.

Immigration detention money flows in Florida's governor's race
Florida's GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds raised more than $115 million for the midterms. Some of that money comes from groups tied to immigration operations in the state.

Orange commissioners set to consider approval of e-bike rules
The proposed ordinance would establish speed limits and other rules for micromobility devices, plus penalties for violating them.

New Florida laws take effect Oct. 1. Here’s what they do
The new laws cover everything from nitrous oxide sales and animal cruelty to rental fraud, specialty license plates and transportation.

Economic Development Group Join Opposition to Amendment 3
The Florida Economic Development Council and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) both issued statements denouncing the November ballot measure that would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028 and gut local government general fund revenue.

Anna Eskamani Is Handing Orlando Teens the Mic Tonight in Mills 50
Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani is inviting some of Orlando’s younger residents to tell Tallahassee what’s actually on their minds tonight. Eskamani will host a Teen Town Hall from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at The Burrow Cafe and Play, 618 N. Mills Avenue. The…

Environmental groups challenge federal order keeping Orlando coal plant open
Three environmental groups are asking a federal appeals court to overturn a U.S. Department of Energy order keeping an Orlando coal unit operating beyond its planned retirement. The groups argue the extension is unnecessary and could cost ratepayers an average of $21 more per…

Leu Gardens Master Plan Shelved After Community Pushback
Remember those big plans to remake Harry P. Leu Gardens? They’re no longer moving forward. The City of Orlando says it has ended the current conceptual master plan and master planning process, citing community feedback and uncertainty surrounding Amendment 3, a property tax…

Orlando’s Downtown Preservation Workaround Is Now Drawing a State Warning
Florida historic preservation officials have given the City of Orlando 180 days to fix problems with its temporary overhaul of downtown preservation rules or risk losing a federal-state certification tied to preservation funding and oversight. The warning comes in an Aug. 21…

SeaWorld Orlando ordered to post ‘We violated federal labor law’ notice at park
In a victory for divers at Orlando’s Discovery Cove who voted to unionize last year, The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that SeaWorld has violated federal labor law by failing to recognize the divers’ union. The board ruled last week that SeaWorld of Florida — doing…