News

The City of Kissimmee has approved an extension of its contract with Freebee, a company that provides free on-demand, “last-mile” shuttle service to downtown, medical and academic locations. (Photo/City of Kissimmee)

Kissimmee draws new contracts for Freebee, pain management clinic, CRA logo

Ken Jackson

Thursday, January 15, 2026

The City of Kissimmee has approved an extension of its contract with Freebee, a company that provides free on-demand, “last-mile” shuttle service to residents between downtown transportation hubs and government buildings, medical centers and Valencia College.

Some riders will fall, like at the 2025 154th event, and some will make it the full eight seconds when they mount their steeds at the 156th Silver Spurs Rodeo Feb, 19-22. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Rodeo season: 2 weekends of February fun with the Silver Spurs Rodeo

Ken Jackson

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Now that we’ve turned the calendars to 2026, it’s time to mark the February page with one of Osceola County’s traditional, unique and most enduring events … The Silver Spurs Rodeo! The rodeo festivities, in their 85th year, are wrapped around the Osceola County Fair and Livestock Show Feb.

Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital President Brian Wetzel (right) celebrated 30 years with the Orlando Health network last week with Philip Koovakada, senior vice president of Orlando Health’s South Florida Region. (Photo/Orlando Health)

NEWS BRIEFS — Sen. Arrington remote office hours; local hospitals celebrate awards, anniversaries

News Staff

Thursday, January 15, 2026

State Sen. Arrington remote office hoursKicking off the new year with a focus on accessibility and service, District 25 State Sen. Kristen Arrington (D– Kissimmee) has announced January Remote Office Hours.

Senate President Ben Albritton hopes to pass a "rural renaissance" plan during the 2026 session. (Photo/Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida)

10 Legislative issues to watch during the current session

Jim Saunders

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Florida lawmakers started the 2026 legislative session Tuesday. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session, here are 10 issues to watch:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of creating what he has dubbed an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.

Wednesday's crash on State Road 60 west of Yeehaw Junction was another fatality along a road being considered for widening.

FHP reports another fatal crash on stretch of State Road 60 considered for widening

News Staff

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Wednesday's crash on State Road 60 west of Yeehaw Junction was another fatality along a road being considered for widening.According to Florida Highway Patrol, a semi tractor-trailer was traveling westbound just west of Peavine Road about eight miles west of U.S.

State Legislature leaders spoke of providing voters the opportunity to pass "meaningful property tax relief" at the start of the legislative session Tuesday.

Tallahassee lawmakers start new 'journey'

Jim Turner

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Republican legislative leaders opened the 2026 legislative session Tuesday citing a need to make life more affordable for Floridians.But they offered few clues about what will pass in the coming weeks and downplayed divisions between the House and Senate that emerged during the 2025 session.

The News Collaborative of Central Florida has contracted with Erica Rodriguez Kight as a dedicated project manager to establish governance, coordinate communication across partner organizations and support community engagement efforts that bring residents into the reporting process.

News Collaborative of Central Florida announces next reporting initiative and first hire

Staff Report

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The News Collaborative of Central Florida (NCCF), a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida, is announcing the next phase in its evolving service to the region.NCCF launched publicly in Jan.

This member of the Tohopekaliga High School Class of 2025 helped Osceola County reach an all-time high graduation rate of 91.1%, the School District announced Tuesday. (Photo/Katie Williams)

Osceola School District, and state, report highest high school graduation rates in history

Staff Report

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Late Tuesday, the Osceola School District reported its overall graduation rate for traditional public and charter high schools for the 2024-2025 school year was a new all-time high of 91.1%.

With low temperatures forecast to dip into the 30s in Osceola County this week, the county will open three cold-weather shelters Thursday, Friday and Sunday evening at 6 p.m. (Graphic/Osceola County EOC)

3 Osceola shelters to open this week ahead of 'coldest air of the season thus far'

News Staff

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

THURSDAY UPDATE — With the colder weather expected to hang around, Osceola County's Emergency Management team has extended the availability of cold weather shelters to Monday night, Jan. 19, starting at 6 p.m.