Paddling the Ocklawaha River during a drawdown reveals lost springs, cypress graveyard

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/7 12:00A Patrick Connolly

Florida is unparalleled in its concentration of pristine, shimmering, azure-blue freshwater springs, tallying more than 1,000 such examples throughout the state . These natural gems give a glimpse...

‘Wow the world’: Orlando wants to spend $35 million to lure Olympics qualifying and NBA All-Stars

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 8:06A Stephen Hudak

Orlando wants to host an NBA All-Star Week in 2029 or 2030 and Olympic qualifying competitions in 2028 for flag football, skateboarding and other sports to be included in the Summer Games in Los Angeles, but organizers say they need $35 million...

Kissimmee police lieutenant, ‘sergeant of the year,’ arrested for misusing surveillance video

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 5:46A Cristóbal Reyes

A recently promoted Kissimmee police lieutenant turned herself in Thursday for allegedly accessing a surveillance video without authorization, months after an internal investigation into the matter initially recommended no criminal charges. Lt....

Maxwell: Florida censors ‘racism’ references out of college textbook

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 4:14A Scott Maxwell

For the past few years, Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP legislators have been on a censorship tear that would make 17th-century book-burners offer a round of Puritanical applause. They’ve targeted books that promote diversity, that discuss LGBTQ issues...

Best Spanish: 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards

Orlando Sentinel (Osceola County News) 3/6 1:46A Amy Drew Thompson

Capa is eligible for a wealth of wins in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards. Its 17th-floor patio is an unparalleled al-fresco opportunity. It s atop one of this tourism capital s poshest resorts. It s got killer steak. But it s also Spanish. And...

Friday is mostly dry with low chances for rain in the afternoon

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 1:27A Garfield Hylton

Friday is mostly dry with low chances for an afternoon shower across the interior. There is a 20 percent chance of showers after 3 p.m., according to NWS Melbourne. Temperatures continue to be above normal, ranging from the low to mid 80s. There is...

How the University of Florida law school got faculty to ‘bend the rules’ for AG James Uthmeier

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 1:18A Garrett Shanley

TALLAHASSEE — Leaders at the University of Florida’s law school sidestepped internal rules to rush Attorney General James Uthmeier into a part-time teaching role, granting unusual leeway to a politically powerful adjunct professor earning a...

Florida surgeon general wants to abolish school vaccine mandates. Lawmakers aren’t on board

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/6 12:53A Steven Walker

Though Florida s top medical official proclaimed last fall that the state would end all vaccine mandates for school children, six months later the Florida Legislature looks unlikely to take the drastic, first-in-the-nation action. Some lawmakers...

New downtown plaque points out Disney history-making spot

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/5 11:54P Dewayne Bevil

A plaque has been placed on the downtown Orlando building where Walt Disney made history with the 1965 announcement that included his development plans for Central Florida. Folks strolling around Lake...

Theme parks perking up plantlife after freezes

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/5 4:20A Dewayne Bevil

The colder-than-usual winter for Florida has been a challenge to homeowner lawns and to horticulture teams at Central Florida’s theme parks. At Walt Disney World , it meant covering up elaborate...

Central Florida man charged with murder; mother also arrested in 3-year-old’s fatal beating

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/5 12:59A Richard Tribou

A Marion County man arrested after the fatal beating death of a 3-year-old girl now faces homicide charges, while the girl s mother was also arrested for child neglect. The Marion County Sheriff s Office announced the new charges Wednesday in the...

Central Florida getting warmer with some chance for rain Thursday

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/4 11:59P Richard Tribou

Temperatures across Central Florida remain higher than normal with the mid-80s expected inland on Thursday along with a chance for afternoon rain, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. An east coast sea breeze will steadily move...

Health inspections lead to 8 Central Florida restaurant shutdowns

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/4 11:00P Garfield Hylton

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shut down eight Central Florida restaurants for health code violations during the week from Feb. 22-28. Orange Lee & Rick s Oyster Bar Inc. at 5621 Old Winter Garden Road in Orlando shut down...

Orlando hosts new puppy-centric musical that helps children cope with grief

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/4 10:00P Matthew J. Palm

More than a decade ago, and in the space of a few months, Deborah Haber lost her sister to ovarian cancer and the elder of her two dogs to old age. In a sense, Haber s younger canine companion, a blue...

Orlando plans renovations at 11 parks, opens new playground near Pine Hills

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 3/3 11:00P Michael Cuglietta

A class of fourth graders from Rolling Hills Elementary School set their books aside on Tuesday morning and, with their principal and gym teacher, walked the short distance to a newly renovated...