Orlando

Tesla has expanded its robotaxi service to a small section of Miami, with future plans to extend the service to Orlando and Tampa as outlined in the company's roadmap.

AAA projects over 72 million travelers for the Fourth of July weekend, breaking a previous record. Airports and rental car services face high demand, with TSA screening 3 million passengers and Hertz reporting peak rental days in major cities. Car travel remains cheaper than flying despite rising gas prices.

AAA predicts 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the July 4th holiday, setting a new record. Travelers are expected to use cars, air, and cruises, with Seattle as the top domestic destination and Vancouver as the leading international destination.

AAA predicts 72 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the Fourth of July holiday, with car travel at 61.4 million, flights at 5.85 million, and 4.93 million via bus, train, or cruise. Non-car travel modes show a 5.3% increase from last year, though overall demand appears to be plateauing despite record volumes. Travel experts advise early departures and late returns to avoid congestion.

American Airlines will launch twice-daily nonstop flights between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Naples Airport starting Dec. 2, marking the return of commercial service to Naples after nearly 25 years. The route will be operated by PSA Airlines using Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft, and the airline plans to expand its Charlotte hub offerings.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is finalizing a rule allowing public housing authorities and voucher program participants to impose work requirements and time limits on non-disabled, working-age adults. A coalition organized by HUD supports these requirements, arguing they promote self-sufficiency, while advocates warn they could hinder housing stability for recipients.

Mario Flores, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was sentenced to eight years in prison for a $38 million payroll tax fraud scheme involving shell companies in Orlando, Florida. He conspired with his girlfriend and others to defraud the US government.

Avelo Airlines added three new nonstop routes from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport to Florida destinations Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa, starting in late November 2024. The routes use Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, with fares starting at $49 one-way, and mark Avelo as the only airline offering direct service to these locations from the airport.

Avelo Airlines is introducing three new nonstop flights from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport to Florida destinations Fort Myers, Orlando, and Tampa starting in November. One-way fares begin at $49, with the airline emphasizing it is the only provider of nonstop service on these routes.

Two men, Michael Chase of Brooklyn and Jose Colon of Orlando, Florida, have been indicted for allegedly selling drugs on the dark web using cryptocurrency between January 2023 and March 2026, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr.

The Sun Belt real-estate boom in cities like Austin, Phoenix, and Tampa has stalled due to oversupply and falling rents, while Midwest markets such as Indianapolis and Kansas City show stable, risk-adjusted returns driven by steady demand and affordability. Rising insurance costs and property taxes in Sun Belt regions contrast with the Midwest's controlled construction and lower rent-to-income ratios, which support tenant stability and asset value.

Gen Z is migrating from San Francisco to more affordable cities like Nashville and Orlando, driven by cost-of-living concerns and better work-life balance. These 'welcomer cities' are emerging as tech hubs with corporate job opportunities, as evidenced by migration data showing 5.2% net growth in such cities compared to 0.6% in traditional anchor cities like New York and the Bay Area.

WalletHub identified Atlanta, Orlando, Austin, Washington DC, and Honolulu as top affordable summer vacation destinations based on factors like cost, weather, and activities. John Kiernan of WalletHub emphasized budget planning and advised against overspending on credit cards for travel.

WalletHub identified Atlanta, Orlando, Austin, Washington DC, and Honolulu as top summer travel destinations for their balance of affordability, good weather, and activities. The survey emphasized budget planning, cautioning against overspending with credit cards, and noted that over 50% of travelers worry about post-vacation bills. Lower-ranked destinations included Las Vegas, Baton Rouge, Des Moines, Jackson, and McAllen.

WalletHub identified Atlanta, Orlando, Austin, Washington DC, and Honolulu as top summer travel destinations balancing affordability and activities. The survey emphasizes budget planning, noting over 50% of travelers worry about post-vacation credit card bills. Destinations like Las Vegas and McAllen scored lowest due to higher costs or fewer options.

The article marks the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, where a gunman pledged to ISIS killed 49 people during a Latin night. Current discussions include state actions affecting LGBTQ+ spaces, such as removing Pride colors at the memorial site, and plans for a permanent memorial. Political figures like State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Gov. Ron DeSantis have acknowledged the tragedy and its ongoing impact.

Ten years ago, a mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in downtown Orlando left 49 people dead and over 50 injured during Latin Night at the LGBTQ club. The incident remains a significant event in LGBTQ history.

On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and wounding 53. The shooter, Omar Mateen, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during a standoff before being killed by police.

A plane crash near Orlando involving a student pilot and instructor resulted in both individuals being hospitalized in critical condition. First responders navigated overgrown terrain to reach the downed Cessna 150, which crashed after running out of fuel. A pilot assisting from the air guided rescue teams to the crash site, expressing relief that the victims survived.

A student and instructor were critically injured after their Cessna 150 plane crashed during a training flight near Kissimmee airport in Orlando. First responders, including Isaiah Akloo, located the crash site through dense vegetation, and federal investigators are examining a fuel system malfunction as a potential cause.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Cuba, causing light shaking in South Florida, including Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach, and as far north as Tampa and Orlando. No tsunami threat was reported, and there were no initial reports of damage in Cuba.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered a 465-MW coal unit operated by Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) in Florida to remain operational. The decision is partly to support potential data centers in the state, despite Florida being at 'normal risk' for long-term energy adequacy.

A federal jury convicted Anthony Joseph Brulewicz, also known as 'Tony Montana,' of multiple drug and firearm offenses, including distribution of controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged as an Armed Career Criminal and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Officium Global LLC and Loyal Source Government Services LLC have agreed to pay over $3.6 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act and Contract Disputes Act. The settlement was announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe in Orlando, FL.

Orlando philanthropist Alan Ginsburg was shaken by Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel and observed anti-Israel rhetoric and antisemitic tropes on U.S. university campuses. He expressed concern over the decline in civil discourse turning into polarized arguments in a city known for tourism and theme parks.

Montrey Roseberry, a 20-year-old from Orlando, was sentenced to life in federal prison for coercing and enticing minors into sexual activity and for producing and possessing child sex abuse material. He was found guilty on February 19, 2026, and the case involved over 50 child victims.

Paul Alexander Askew, a 46-year-old Jacksonville resident, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to influence major international sports competitions by doping. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with sentencing yet to be scheduled. The case was announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

Abdalla Hatim Elhakiem, a 30-year-old Orlando man, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for stalking and interstate threats after pleading guilty in February 2026. The case was handled by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.

The United States has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against 7 real properties and 11 vehicles allegedly purchased by Christopher Delgado using proceeds from a wire fraud scheme. Delgado was charged in connection with the Goliath Ventures fraud scheme in February 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the action to seize these assets.

AAA projects a record 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during Memorial Day weekend (May 21-25), with 39.1 million traveling by car. Heavy traffic congestion is expected between 3-6 p.m. on May 21-22 and 12-5 p.m. on May 25, with gas prices at their highest since summer 2022.

A former leader of Exodus International, a now-defunct Orlando-based ministry that claimed to cure homosexuality, was arrested attempting to meet a 14-year-old boy for sexual purposes. The married father of two faces serious criminal charges related to child exploitation.

SeaWorld amusement park in Orlando, Florida, reopens after a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic with new safety measures. The park will reopen with precautions to protect employees and visitors. This reopening comes as the pandemic continues to impact visitor numbers.

A family in Orlando, Florida, is celebrating the birth of their 'miracle baby' Cassian after a rare surgery allowed him to be born twice, saving his life. The groundbreaking surgery was performed in Orlando. The baby's rare condition required the innovative procedure.

Florida prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the deaths of 31 sloths from South America, which were intended for display at Sloth World, a controversial new theme park in Orlando. The sloths died in an unheated warehouse between December 2024 and February 2025, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission report.

Over 1,000 teenagers caused violent chaos at Florida's ICON Park, injuring two police officers and leading to nine arrests. The incident, fueled by social media and dubbed a 'TikTok Takeover,' prompted ICON Park to implement a chaperone policy for minors.

Florida Democrat Rep. Maxwell Frost expressed outrage over the death of 31 sloths in a storage warehouse at Sloth World, an unopened Orlando tourist attraction. The sloths, native to South American rainforests, died in December 2024 under unclear circumstances.

An Orlando mom captured a touching moment of her sons watching the Artemis II rocket launch from their front yard, which went viral and touched millions. The image highlights the emotional connection between family and space exploration.