News

House and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday night ahead of a vote expected on Friday. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

House and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday night ahead of a vote expected on Friday. (Getty Images via News Service of Florida)

Florida lawmakers complete budget deals, set for vote Friday

News Service Of Florida
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
By Gray Rohrer -- House and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday night, the last step in an extended process that required a special session to complete for the second year in a row.
A photo from inside the under-construction St. Cloud Hotel in the city’s downtown, where exterior scaffolding has been in place for the better part of three years now. (Photos/Ming Henry)

A photo from inside the under-construction St. Cloud Hotel in the city’s downtown, where exterior scaffolding has been in place for the better part of three years now. (Photos/Ming Henry)

Will magistrate action help bring completion to St. Cloud Hotel construction?

Ming Henry
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
While the project is a historic preservation on paper, the work to revitalize the St. Cloud Hotel at 10th Street and New York Avenue has dragged out over the past couple years as work has slowed to a call, scaffoldings have become synonymous with the old-style architecture.
Anthony Santana, DOB 8/5/2003. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

Anthony Santana, DOB 8/5/2003. (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

Repeat exposure offender arrested in Kissimmee

Staff Report
Friday, May 22, 2026
A man with prior convictions of exposure of sexual organs was arrested on the same charge this week, Osceola County Sheriff's deputies report.Anthony Santana, 22, was arrested at a store on Vineland Road Tuesday and charged with a felony count of exposure of sexual organs second offense.
Lt. Governor Jay Collins toured Northbridge University’s Kissimmee campus Wednesday, and participated in a roundtable discussion with local officials on workforce training development. (Photo/Eleven11Comunications)

Lt. Governor Jay Collins toured Northbridge University’s Kissimmee campus Wednesday, and participated in a roundtable discussion with local officials on workforce training development. (Photo/Eleven11Comunications)

Lt. Gov. Collins visits Kissimmee workforce training college

Staff Report
Friday, May 22, 2026
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, also a Republican candidate for governor this year, toured the Kissimmee campus of Northbridge University Wednesday.
The pirate ship playground structure at Creation Village World School is central to a lawsuit alleging child-on-child sex abuse occurred in a secluded area where teachers could not clearly see children during recess. (Photo/Osceola County Court records)

The pirate ship playground structure at Creation Village World School is central to a lawsuit alleging child-on-child sex abuse occurred in a secluded area where teachers could not clearly see children during recess. (Photo/Osceola County Court records)

Family sues private school over alleged student sexual abuse

Kristin Hurst
Thursday, May 21, 2026
A Polk County family has filed a lawsuit against a Celebration private Christian school, alleging it failed to properly supervise young children and allowed their daughter to be repeatedly sexually abused by another student over two school years beginning when she was four years old.
Thursday’s City Council meeting highlighted the ongoing tension between preserving the city’s small-town character while preparing it for long-term financial sustainability.

Thursday’s City Council meeting highlighted the ongoing tension between preserving the city’s small-town character while preparing it for long-term financial sustainability.

Amid backlash, St. Cloud leaders defend downtown project and annexations

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, May 21, 2026
As St. Cloud continues its rapid growth, Thursday’s City Council meeting highlighted the ongoing tension between preserving the city’s small-town character while preparing it for long-term financial sustainability.
County and construction officials held the ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday of Las Margaritas, a housing project that will expand the affordable inventory for seniors. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

County and construction officials held the ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday of Las Margaritas, a housing project that will expand the affordable inventory for seniors. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

More senior housing coming to Buenaventura Lakes

Ken Jackson
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Osceola County officials celebrated the groundbreaking of Las Margaritas, a new affordable senior housing development in Buenaventura Lakes designed to address the issue of safe, reasonably-priced housing for those who may be on fixed incomes.
Florida Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee), who both represent Osceola County residents in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, have announced a joint legislative Town Hall in Poinciana on Friday, May 22.

Florida Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee), who both represent Osceola County residents in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, have announced a joint legislative Town Hall in Poinciana on Friday, May 22.

Sen. Arrington, Rep. Alvarez holding Town Hall Friday

Staff Report
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Florida Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee), who both represent Osceola County residents in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, have announced a joint legislative Town Hall in Poinciana on Friday, May 22 from 6-7:30 p.m.
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