Candidates at the Florida PTA convention traded rival plans on teacher pay and vouchers, exposing divides that could shape the Aug. 18 primary.

One person was hospitalized with life‑threatening injuries after a shooting near W. 14th Street and Bell Avenue in Sanford. Police say the scene is contained and the investigation is active.

Tree limbs and memorial items were scattered across Astatula Cemetery after what officials and footage suggest was a brief tornado; crews cleared signs and town leaders say headstones were spared.

A Melbourne mother says her 15‑year‑old broke his elbow during a police encounter while officers searched for a missing child; the department says it is reviewing the incident.

A 55-year-old Orlando man was arrested after police found a dog shot dead inside its crate; investigators say the shooting happened after a child was bitten earlier that evening.

Orange County cut the ribbon on The Enclave at Canopy Park, a 104‑unit affordable community in Orlando with rents from $400 and on‑site supports.

The Orlando Sentinel and a coalition of Central Florida outlets will publish a shared voters guide by late July with candidate answers ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.

The 2026‑27 state budget includes $500K for a Human Coalition telecare program while Florida continues to fund the Pregnancy Care Network with nearly $29.5M.

Walt Disney World added an Extended Evening Hours night at Hollywood Studios on September 16, 2026, giving on-site resort guests two hours of late-night access to top rides.

Jason Revoldt has stepped down as Orlando’s fire chief effective immediately after nearly 24 years with the department. Deputy Chief Shannon Teamer will run operations during the transition.

A Dublin jury convicted former Irish swim coach George Gibney of dozens of historic sex offences. He was extradited from Florida and faces sentencing on July 29.

A crash on U.S. 17‑92 at Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberry killed two people and sent a third to the hospital while southbound lanes were closed. Emergency crews remained on scene for hours as investigators worked.

A Marion County boxing coach was arrested July 6 after a teen accused him of months of sexual abuse, and detectives say there may be additional victims.