Opinion
Bill Cotterell
It wasn’t a great political or cultural loss for Florida, but it’s kind of sad that Matt Gaetz quit competitive campaigning this year.The brash young Republican brought a refreshing lack of sensitivity to public appearances, just when “woke” was starting to go out of style.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Mel Gurtov writes Trump bombed Iran and then warned it not to retaliate; if it did, he said Iran would face force “far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
GUEST EDITORIAL — It's Trump's war now
Mel Gurtov
President Trump announced that the U.S. had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. Then he messaged that “now is the time for peace.” No, it is time for war.
Friday, July 25, 2025
From the mayor: Addressing 'tough' concerns downtown
Jackie Espinosa
Over the past seven months since being sworn in alongside a new city commission, the City of Kissimmee has undergone a transformational shift—one rooted in a renewed commitment to building a bright, safe, and successful future for all residents and small businesses who call our beautiful city home.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
People take pictures in front of the Alligator Alcatraz sign at the entrance to the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. (Photo/Getty Images via News Service of Florida)
CAPITOL COLUMN: Alligator Alcatraz a boon to both sides
Bill Cotterell
An alert reader sent a snarky comment to the “sound off” column of a newspaper editorial page last week, pointing out that federal rules of the road specify certain colors for highway signs—green for city names and mileage numbers, blue for services like restaurants, gas stations and hotels and...
Thursday, July 17, 2025
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Concerns about downtown Kissimmee's progress, choice of hotel project
News Staff
Don't undermine downtown Kissimmee's progressDear Editor:As stakeholders in the local community and supporters of Kissimmee’s downtown businesses, we want to express serious concern regarding the city’s proposed alcohol and noise ordinances.
Friday, July 11, 2025
GUEST EDITORIAL: The future of public media is in our hands
Judith Smelser
Congress will soon make a decision that could forever change the media landscape in our nation and in Central Florida. It will decide on a proposal that would take back over a billion dollars previously set aside to support public media for the next two years.
Friday, July 11, 2025
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Disagrees with St. Cloud Pride expenditure
News Staff
Dear Editor:Considering what our nation has been shown over the past few months involving government waste, special interest groups, and abuse in spending our tax dollars through DOGE, at a recent St.
Friday, July 4, 2025
GUEST EDITORIAL: Yes to firefighters, No to burdening homeowners
Renee Clark
Earlier this month, the Kissimmee City Commission voted to approve a new fire assessment that will impact both new and existing homeowners.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
CAPITOL COLUMN: Jolly banks on 'Affordability Crisis'
Bill Cotterell
Pondering David Jolly’s just-announced campaign for governor, Floridians find themselves thinking, “Have I seen this before?”Hmmm—a Republican officeholder from Pinellas County, rejected by the GOP, becomes first an independent and then a Democrat.
Friday, June 13, 2025
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Nervous about hurricane season after NOAA staffing cuts; defending the forecasters who keep us informed and safe
News Staff
Hurricane anxiety after staffing cutsDear Editor:Every year at the beginning of hurricane season, I get a little anxious.
Friday, June 13, 2025