News

Veteran Tallahassee journalist and government columnist Bill Cotterell, whose 'Capitol Column' often appeared in the News-Gazette, passed away Monday at age 82. (Photo/Tallahassee Democrat)

Veteran Tallahassee journalist and government columnist Bill Cotterell, whose 'Capitol Column' often appeared in the News-Gazette, passed away Monday at age 82. (Photo/Tallahassee Democrat)

Political columnist Bill Cotterell, 'institution' in political coverage dies at age 82

Bill Cotterell, a reporter and columnist who covered Florida government and politics for more than four decades with a blend of doggedness and humor, and who's "Capitol Column" appeared in the News-Gazette, died Monday at age 82 as he tried to recover at a rehabilitation center from norovirus and a...
Monday marks the one-year anniversary of a crash that killed 19-year-old Lana Fellows.

Monday marks the one-year anniversary of a crash that killed 19-year-old Lana Fellows.

Plea from family of daughter killed in 2024 crash: drive safely

The St. Cloud community was touched by tragedy one year ago today when 19-year-old St. Cloud High grad Lana Fellows was killed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, when the car she was riding in as a passenger was struck. Her parents Megan and Rob Fellows offered this update.
Hotels once again dominated adaptive reuse in 2024, accounting for nearly 37% of all completed projects nationwide and producing more than 9,100 new apartments, according to RentCafe. (Graphic/RentCafe)

Hotels once again dominated adaptive reuse in 2024, accounting for nearly 37% of all completed projects nationwide and producing more than 9,100 new apartments, according to RentCafe. (Graphic/RentCafe)

Kissimmee No. 2 nationally in converting hotels to ‘home’, tops in Florida

With affordable housing, especially the lack of it, a top topic of conversation in Osceola County, the conversation has moved to conversion.As in turning old hotels, like those common along the U.S. Highway 192 corridor, into apartments.
Karsan’s e-JEST takes stakeholders on an Orlando test drive. (Photo/Michelle Kostuch)

Karsan’s e-JEST takes stakeholders on an Orlando test drive. (Photo/Michelle Kostuch)

Autonomous bus takes the wheel

International bus manufacturer Karsan rolled out e-JEST, its new autonomous electric mini-bus, to the American market at the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit on Nov. 5.
Democrats in Florida’s Legislature have filed more than a dozen gun control bills — which even the party’s lawmakers acknowledge are likely to go nowhere — less than two months after leaders legalized open carry. (Photo/Fresh Take Florida)

Democrats in Florida’s Legislature have filed more than a dozen gun control bills — which even the party’s lawmakers acknowledge are likely to go nowhere — less than two months after leaders legalized open carry. (Photo/Fresh Take Florida)

Florida Democrats push long-odds gun control measures after open carry law takes effect

Democrats in Florida’s Legislature have filed more than a dozen gun control bills — which even the party’s lawmakers acknowledge are likely to go nowhere — less than two months after the “Gunshine State” legalized open carry.
An insurmountable blessing to our organization is the large village of community partners who support our social service initiatives through fundraising events and donations.

An insurmountable blessing to our organization is the large village of community partners who support our social service initiatives through fundraising events and donations.

COUNCIL'S CORNER — Thanksgiving Thankfulness in 2025

As I began preparing to write this month’s column, I did what most of us do when we think about this annual holiday, and that is to ask: “For what exactly am I thankful?
The latest Memorandum of Understanding with the Orlando City Soccer ownership would include an agreement to enter into an operating agreement with a national hotel brand prior to Dec. 31, 2028 on land at the corner of Bill Beck and U.S. 192. (Graphic/Osceola County)

The latest Memorandum of Understanding with the Orlando City Soccer ownership would include an agreement to enter into an operating agreement with a national hotel brand prior to Dec. 31, 2028 on land at the corner of Bill Beck and U.S. 192. (Graphic/Osceola County)

County, Orlando City Soccer to partner on potential $50M OHP deal

Building upon an agreement between the two parties forged last year to expand the landscape of Osceola Heritage Park, Osceola County approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the owners of the Orlando City Soccer Club to provide further investment at the park.