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Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.

Pump pricing — leaders call for suspending state gas tax

Jim Turner
Thursday, May 14, 2026
News Service of Florida — Florida Democrats are again calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend the state’s gas tax to ease elevated fuel prices caused by ongoing war with Iran.
The Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

The Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Band shows off the latest hardware earned at the International Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival last week at the Lincoln Center in New York. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Essentially and Presidentially the Best — OCSA’s Jazz, Wind Ensembles victorious in elite competitions

Ken Jackson
Thursday, May 14, 2026
If this story was about anything but jazz and big-band music played by high schoolers, we could say the Osceola County School for the Arts already-accomplished Jazz A and Wind Ensembles closed out the school year with a bang.
While it’s good to do research now on who you might vote for, it’s more important now to consider how you’ll vote in 2026.

While it’s good to do research now on who you might vote for, it’s more important now to consider how you’ll vote in 2026.

Want to vote by mail in ’26? Check your mailbox for a notice

Ken Jackson
Thursday, May 14, 2026
With the 2026 primary election—the first of two opportunities for Osceola County residents to cast a ballot—just three months and a couple days away, it’s time to think about that process.
And while AI itself may not be problematic, some uses of it in the school setting certainly can be. At the workshop, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Gabriel Berrio shared new language that has been added to the 2026-27 Student Code of Conduct Handbook regarding the use of AI.

And while AI itself may not be problematic, some uses of it in the school setting certainly can be. At the workshop, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Gabriel Berrio shared new language that has been added to the 2026-27 Student Code of Conduct Handbook regarding the use of AI.

From ChatGPT to deepfakes: Osceola schools confront AI challenges

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The Osceola County School District is taking steps to keep up with the everchanging world of artificial intelligence. At a workshop last week, the School Board discussed the use and abuse of AI by students—and the consequences of such actions.
Two projects on Buenaventura Blvd. are constructing roundabouts at Trotter’s Circle and Florida Parkway and a 12-foot-wide shared-use path. (Graphic/Osceola County)

Two projects on Buenaventura Blvd. are constructing roundabouts at Trotter’s Circle and Florida Parkway and a 12-foot-wide shared-use path. (Graphic/Osceola County)

Osceola’s unofficial county tree: the road construction barrel

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Refinancing bonds freed funds for multiple high-end projects; see what’s finishing— and startingOsceola County currently boasts an abundance of two things: Traffic … and road construction projects, designed to help alleviate the first, while creating more of it as the projects are completed.
Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel (left) and Osceola's SOE Mary Jane Arrington speak on a panel about election administration in Orlando on Wednesday, May 5. (Central Florida Public Media staff photo/Sam Stockbridge)

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel (left) and Osceola's SOE Mary Jane Arrington speak on a panel about election administration in Orlando on Wednesday, May 5. (Central Florida Public Media staff photo/Sam Stockbridge)

Election leaders scrambling to inform voters on new congressional map amid lawsuits

Sam Stockbridge
Thursday, May 14, 2026
This story, which originally appeared at Central Florida Public Media, is part of the News Collaborative of Central Florida, an initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
Raul Perez, 53, is now charged with second-degree murder as the suspect in an early Tuesday morning shooting near a West 192 hotel. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Raul Perez, 53, is now charged with second-degree murder as the suspect in an early Tuesday morning shooting near a West 192 hotel. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Victim dies in early Tuesday west Osceola shooting; suspect now charged with 2nd-degree murder

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The victim in an early Tuesday shooting on the west side of the county has died, and the suspected shooter is now charged with murder.According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, 26-year-old Timothy James Meyer, was pronounced dead Tuesday night.
Raul Perez (DOB 7/19/1972), the suspect in Tuesday's shooting in west Osceola County. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Raul Perez (DOB 7/19/1972), the suspect in Tuesday's shooting in west Osceola County. (Mugshot/Osceola County Jail)

Kissimmee man arrested for attempted murder in early Tuesday shooting

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office has made an arrest in an early Tuesday shooting on the west side of the county.Raul Perez, 53, was arrested later in the day Tuesday and charged with attempted murder. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail with no bond.
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