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“Artificial intelligence is already in the classroom, and the rules before you today are about keeping Florida in front, rather than reacting,” said Education Commissioner Henry Mack.

“Artificial intelligence is already in the classroom, and the rules before you today are about keeping Florida in front, rather than reacting,” said Education Commissioner Henry Mack.

Fla. Board of Education approves AI guidelines for schools, colleges

Ana Goñi-lessan
Thursday, September 17, 2026
News Service of Florida — The Florida Board of Education Wednesday passed rules for the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 public schools and state colleges.At a meeting at Polk State College in Winter Haven, the board approved policies requiring school districts to amend their regulations on...
The Mayor said she’s agreed to accept the Commission’s stipulation and "respects the Commission’s role and appreciate the manner in which this matter has been handled."

The Mayor said she’s agreed to accept the Commission’s stipulation and "respects the Commission’s role and appreciate the manner in which this matter has been handled."

Commission on Ethics recommends fine, sanctions for Kissimmee Mayor Espinosa

Ken Jackson
Thursday, September 17, 2026
The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet on Oct. 23 at 8:30 a.m. in Tallahassee to approve a recommendation of action against Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa for her relationship with three companies that accepted money from a city fund designed to help small businesses still recovering from the...
Fines from school zone speed cameras in St. Cloud, like this one on Michigan Avenue, generated over a half-million dollars in four months of 2025 before they were shut off due to legal concerns. (File Photo)

Fines from school zone speed cameras in St. Cloud, like this one on Michigan Avenue, generated over a half-million dollars in four months of 2025 before they were shut off due to legal concerns. (File Photo)

St. Cloud Police chief: school zone cameras collected $562K before pause

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, September 17, 2026
St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke told the City Council at their Sept. 10 meeting that the city’s 11 school zone speed cameras collected $562,940 between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026— even though active ticketing stopped in early November.Of that total, Goerke said the city received $337,764...
St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce President Dirk Webb retires at the end of the month but leaves a solid foundation for incoming Executive Director Dana Wells. She’ll get to work with (from left) Director of Operations Heather Kitner, Events Manager Rebekah Hogue and Administrative Assistant Sharayah Austin. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce President Dirk Webb retires at the end of the month but leaves a solid foundation for incoming Executive Director Dana Wells. She’ll get to work with (from left) Director of Operations Heather Kitner, Events Manager Rebekah Hogue and Administrative Assistant Sharayah Austin. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

One last Gala for Dirk Webb

Ken Jackson
Thursday, September 17, 2026
There’s no bad time to move to Florida, unless it’s during a hurricane warning.That wasn’t the case in 2019, when Dirk Webb came from his native Indiana to bring stability to the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce and be its CEO and President.He came when the market was exploding, but less than a year...
Experience Kissimmee CEO D.T. Minich (center) was recognized at last week’s Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach. (Photo/Experience Kissimmee)

Experience Kissimmee CEO D.T. Minich (center) was recognized at last week’s Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach. (Photo/Experience Kissimmee)

Experience Kissimmee CEO D.T. Minich enshrined in Visit Florida’s Hall of Fame

Ken Jackson
Thursday, September 17, 2026
It’s only right that the head of the marketing arm for Osceola County’s tourism industry, the economic driver for the area, is renowned for his vision, creativity and leadership.Experience Kissimmee’s CEO, D.T. Minich, is now a Hall of Famer.Minich has been named the 2026 inductee into the VISIT...
Ahmad Bojeh, the man police say shot three vacationing men to death in January, and who doctors say has a mental condition treated by medication, appeared in Osceola court Thursday for his competency hearing. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Ahmad Bojeh, the man police say shot three vacationing men to death in January, and who doctors say has a mental condition treated by medication, appeared in Osceola court Thursday for his competency hearing. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Judge rules triple murder suspect Bojeh competent to stand trial

Ken Jackson
Thursday, September 17, 2026
The man police say shot three Midwestern tourists to death outside a home off Poinciana Boulevard in January is competent to stand trial.Circuit Judge Wayne Wooten determined Thursday that Ahmad Bojeh, 29, can stand trial for three counts of first-degree murder with a firearm after hearing from a...
United In Love Adoptions founder and Agency Attorney Barbara “BJ” Harris kicks off the first Bingo game Saturday for a designer purse prize. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

United In Love Adoptions founder and Agency Attorney Barbara “BJ” Harris kicks off the first Bingo game Saturday for a designer purse prize. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)

United In Love Adoptions hosts Mimosas for a Mission fundraiser

Terry Lloyd
Thursday, September 17, 2026
United In Love Adoptions (UILA) is a faith-based nonprofit organization based in St. Cloud that supports birth mothers and adoptive parents on their adoption journey.
Osceola School District officials say they are bridging the gap with an inventory of about 1,100 mobile hotspots, which students can check out if their home internet is unavailable or unreliable. (Graphic/Osceola School District)

Osceola School District officials say they are bridging the gap with an inventory of about 1,100 mobile hotspots, which students can check out if their home internet is unavailable or unreliable. (Graphic/Osceola School District)

Bridging the gap: Osceola Schools helping students without home internet

Debbie Daniel
Thursday, September 17, 2026
More than 5,000 children in Osceola County live in homes without internet access, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by online service marketplace CompareInternet.The figure— 5,064 children, or 5% of the county’s youth— exceeds both Florida’s 4.2% rate and the national average...
Drugs and paraphernalia have been taken off the streets of St. Cloud thanks to an operation Wednesday morning at a Kentucky Avenue home that led to a pair of arrests. (Photo/St. Cloud Police Department)

Drugs and paraphernalia have been taken off the streets of St. Cloud thanks to an operation Wednesday morning at a Kentucky Avenue home that led to a pair of arrests. (Photo/St. Cloud Police Department)

Two arrested, narcotics seized in Wednesday morning St. Cloud operation

Staff Report
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Drugs and paraphernalia have been taken off the streets of St. Cloud thanks to an operation Wednesday morning that led to a pair of arrests.
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