Opinion

State Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is leading efforts to scrutinize local spending. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF)

State Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is leading efforts to scrutinize local spending. (Photo/Colin Hackley, NSF)

Capitol Column — ending property taxes sounds too good

Bill Cotterell
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
There is probably nothing any officeholder likes more in an election year than a chance to cut taxes, a treat that will tempt Florida lawmakers in their 2026 legislative session.Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans have been promoting the idea of doing away with property taxes for homeowners, or...
Letters to the Editor — Sept. 26, 2025

Letters to the Editor — Sept. 26, 2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR — An appeal to curb county spending

News Staff
Friday, September 26, 2025
Dear Editor:It is with sadness to learn that Osceola County commissioners want to spend taxpayer money, using taxpayer land, to build a tribute to happened in Orange County and to honor nonveterans who did not die for this country but died because of their lifestyle.
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University before he was shot and killed Sept. 10. (Photo/Trent Nelson, The Salt Lake Tribune via News Service of Florida)

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University before he was shot and killed Sept. 10. (Photo/Trent Nelson, The Salt Lake Tribune via News Service of Florida)

CAPITOL COLUMN — GOP should listen to Charlie Kirk's words

Bill Cotterell
Friday, September 26, 2025
In the week after Charlie Kirk’s murder, we saw two troubling responses—one ominous and sadly predictable, the other ugly but not so surprising.Scores of people lost their jobs, and maybe some friends, for making utterly unnecessary and purposely hurtful posts and video clips celebrating the...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Aug. 21, 2025

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Aug. 21, 2025

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Aug. 21, 2025

News Staff
Friday, August 22, 2025
Brownie Wise Park suggestionsDear Editor:Missing from the (Monday, Aug. 11 Osceola County) public comment meeting were the torches and pitchforks. Many like me don’t get a connection between the Pulse tragedy 9 years ago and Brownie Wise Park. True the victims deserve a memorial.
Florida has executed 114 more killers since then, nine of them this year. Two more are set to die this month.

Florida has executed 114 more killers since then, nine of them this year. Two more are set to die this month.

CAPITOL COLUMN: Trying to avoid 'freakish and whimsical'

Bill Cotterell
Friday, August 15, 2025
Suppose the company you work for is doing something that’s very expensive, takes a lot of time and never delivers the result it was intended to produce.Oh, and one other thing: Do it wrong, and the consequences are ghastly—and irreparable.That’s where Florida finds itself with capital punishment.
My kids are 16 and 10. When I haven’t been a “newsman”, I’ve been like the concerned neighbor watching all of this unfold, asking the questions within the office … How could this happen … unchecked … for years?

My kids are 16 and 10. When I haven’t been a “newsman”, I’ve been like the concerned neighbor watching all of this unfold, asking the questions within the office … How could this happen … unchecked … for years?

FROM THE EDITOR: Seeing Soto case as a newsman . . . and a dad

Ken Jackson
Friday, August 1, 2025
Being the legal epicenter of the universe has its pros and cons.Just like appearing on a national Court TV show as one of the local experts.That was a thing in 2024.
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CAPITOL COLUMN: Offended by Politics? Get over it

Bill Cotterell
Friday, August 1, 2025
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.
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.”

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
Friday, July 25, 2025
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.
With growth comes responsibility—and sometimes, tough conversations, the Kissimmee mayor says.

With growth comes responsibility—and sometimes, tough conversations, the Kissimmee mayor says.

From the mayor: Addressing 'tough' concerns downtown

Jackie Espinosa
Thursday, July 24, 2025
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...
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