Fleeing man shot by Orange County deputies was holding gun, Sheriff Mina says

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 3:27A Richard Tribou

A man who fleeing Orange County sheriff s deputies while holding a gun early Saturday was shot and hospitalized in critical condition, according to Sheriff John Mina. At a press conference, Mina said the deputies were helping with a traffic stop...

SharkFest 2025 on Nat Geo: Why this Central Florida county is ‘Bite Capital of the World’

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 3:00A Lois K. Solomon

Although sharks swim up and down our East Coast, there’s something about New Smyrna Beach that spurs them to bite people more than anywhere else. Related Articles 9-year-old girl has ‘miracle’ surgery...

More rain on tap for Central Florida on Saturday

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 2:34A Richard Tribou

The rain of the holiday weekend is set to fall at least one more day with more showers forecast for Central Florida on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Tropical moisture remains hung over the state as the stalled front...

Tropical Storm Chantal forms in the Atlantic, targets southeast coast

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 2:07A Richard Tribou

Tropical Storm Chantal formed on Saturday as it slowly moved in the Atlantic toward the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service. As of the NHC s 8 a.m. advisory, what had been Tropical...

Maitland Art Festival canceled after 49 years: ‘I was heartbroken’

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 1:00A Zoey Thomas

After multiple votes, two strategic analyses and many hard conversations, the Maitland Rotary Club has decided to cancel the annual art festival it has held for nearly 50 years. “I can’t tell you how extremely difficult this was,” said Kelly...

‘A sense of community’: Orlando preschool hosts parenting workshop for moms

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/5 1:00A Michael Cuglietta

Mary Williams was shouting at her sons so often they learned to ignore it. “Being that I work a lot and I’m under stress to keep things afloat, my patience isn’t always there,” said Williams, a single...

Hurricane center says system off Florida coast has 70% chance to develop

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/4 1:56A Richard Tribou

An area of low pressure formed off the coast of Jacksonville on Friday and could develop into the season s next tropical depression or storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. In its 2 p.m. tropical outlook, the NHC said the system had...

Heavy rain expected for Central Florida on Fourth of July

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/4 1:45A Richard Tribou

The Fourth of July will likely be a wet one for Central Florida as another day is forecast with a high chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Unfortunately, outdoor plans today will once again be greeted by increasing coverage...

Morning Report: Central Florida’s top stories for Friday, July 4, 2025

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/4 1:13A Compiled by Orlando Sentinel Sta

Here are Central Florida s top stories or Friday, July 4, 2025. Get today s weather forecast here . SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Report email. Sign up here . Fourth of July in Orlando: Fireworks, events for Independence Day in Central...

Trump administration freezes funding for after-school, childcare programs

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 9:23A Michael Cuglietta, Steven Walker

A Trump administration budget freeze means a $2.4 million loss for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, a no warning cut the club fears will leave it scrambling to keep its summertime program for low-income children running. Orange County...

Drone company involved in Orlando boy’s injury is back hosting shows

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 9:23A Kairi Lowery

After a drone crash at a Lake Eola holiday show left a little boy critically injured, a slew of New Year’s drone shows cancelled and a months-long legal battle in its wake, the company that produced the show is back holding large holiday events...

Maxwell: NASCAR, Publix get tax breaks in Florida. You get higher tolls

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 9:04A Scott Maxwell

The headline stripped atop the Orlando Sentinel’s front page at the end of this past legislative session seemed like it should’ve been accompanied by a sad-trombone sound: “Tax relief collapses as session ends.” Womp womp. It sure seemed sad for...

Apopka Police gun range a noisy neighbor but more people likely to move nearby

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 7:49A Brian Bell

When the city of Apopka built an outdoor gun range for its police department in 1989, it did so on land in a mostly rural area. But the city s population has more than quadrupled since then — with nearly 62,000 residents by 2024 — and residential...

Kissimmee takes first step in requiring alcohol permits after midnight

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 6:28A Natalia Jaramillo

Kissimmee looks to follow Orlando and require bars to have a permit to sell alcohol after midnight, amid years long debate over safety downtown. During a nearly five-hour long meeting, fueled with heated testimony from bar owners, Kissimmee...

Madeline Soto: Judge allows key evidence in sex crimes case, sets trial date

Local News : Orlando Sentinel 7/3 6:22A Cristóbal Reyes

Videos and photos of Madeline Soto s sexual abuse that prosecutors say was found on Stephan Sterns cell phone can be used against him in his upcoming trial, an Osceola County judge ruled this week. Judge Keith Carsten s ruling Wednesday comes...