Orlando Local News

24/11/2022

Political leaders and entrepreneurs of all stripes gathered for the Orlando Local News' Best of Central Florida awards luncheon on November 18, 2022 at Hannibal's in Winter Park.

The order of events included a reception, awards to local businesses and outstanding citizens, as well as keynote speeches by Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award winners and their representatives.

The publication established the Lifetime Achievement Award as a means to honor the legacy of Roger S. Swanson, founding Editor of The Local News, by highlighting the momentous lifetime achievements of extradordinary men and women in our community.

This year's recognition was awarded to Gene Hawkins, for a lifetime of service to his community, family, and nation, along with his late wife, Florida's first female Senator, Paula Hawkins. Genean McKinnon, daughter of Gene Hawkins, accepted the award for her father who is soon turning 99 years old.

Dick Batchelor, a former State Representative and Presidential Appointee, also received the Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime of service to the community, state and country.

Read more in our story linked below.

Political leaders and entrepreneurs of all stripes gathered for the Orlando Local News' Best of Central Florida awards luncheon on November 18, 2022 at Hannibal's in Winter Park at 11:00 AM.

15/11/2022

Fresh off of winning a new seat in Congress, Cory Mills sprang into action to help his new soon-to-be new constituents, as they suffer from the devastation from Hurricane Nicole. Our story below.

Congressman-elect Cory Mills warned residents to be prepared for Hurricane Nicole and immediately sprang into action during the storm which has caused thousands to evacuate beach condos in wake of the weather event due to structural issues.

05/10/2022

For Central Florida leaders, saving lives seems to override partisan politics. And that's exactly why political and nonpolitical leaders, including judges, mayors, commissionsers, state legislators, and law enforcement from all major Central Florida counties have gathered together in recent years to combat the crisis through "Project Opioid.” our story below…

In today’s political environment of ideological extremes and radical demagogues, Democrats and Republicans find few ways to collaborate. It seems that even on the most basic subjects such as transportation, little gets done and there are always points of contention.

02/10/2022

Mills and his entire team sprung into action this week to organize the transport of food to Central Florida for residents in need following the onslaught of Hurricane Ian.

Congressional contender Cory Mills has always had a service heart. Serving for seven years in Iraq and many more in the military as a whole, he knows the meaning of duty. But for Mills, a candidate for Congressional District 7, that duty didn’t end on the battlefield.

29/09/2022

Be safe everyone!!

Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday as Hurricane Ian approaches Orlando, the theme parks said Tuesday afternoon.

24/09/2022

Rollins College has been approached by the Democratic National Committee to host President Joe Biden on campus, depsite major pushback against figures such as Ben Shapiro and Roger Stone speaking on campus in the past. The Local News called the college to inquire about the potential visit. Our report below.

Rollins College has been approached by the Democratic National Committee to host President Joe Biden on campus, depsite major pushback against figures such as Ben Shapiro and Roger Stone speaking on campus in the past. The Local News called the college to inquire about the potential visit.

22/09/2022

OLN Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston recently recognized his cousin, the 21st Lord Saye and Sele, on his 102nd birthday on September 22, 2022 at Broughton Castle in England. In addition to being a peer, Nathaniel Fiennes served in the Second World War during the liberation of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp and D-Day. Check out the photos of this castle in our article below...

OLN Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston recently recognized his cousin, the 21st Lord Saye and Sele, on his 102nd birthday on September 22, 2022 at Broughton Castle in England. In addition to being a peer, Nathaniel Fiennes served in the Second World War during the liberation of Bergen-Belsen Concentrat...

19/09/2022

The Editor of The Orlando Local News traveled to the UK to pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Read Marshall Swanson’s report from London below.

Hundreds of thousands gathered in London throughout the week to honor Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth II. The crowds reached fever pitch on Monday as world leaders attended her funeral in Westminster Abbey.

19/09/2022

Our tribute to the Queen

On her 21st birthday in 1947, Princess Elizabeth went on the radio and made a promise to Britain and its Commonwealth nations: She pledged that “my whole life, whether it be short or long, will be devoted to your service.”

08/09/2022

Orlando International Airport set to open Terminal C this month. See our story. for more details.

Orlando International Airport is getting ready for one of its biggest moves yet. Terminal C is set to open this month, and the expansion comes as travel continues to increase at the airport.

07/09/2022

Names are being named… read more in our story linked below…

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recently sent investigators to interview former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg about a 'ghost candidate' scheme involving the county's GOP (SCREC) chair and several of his colleagues. SCREC chair Ben Paris was convicted yesterday in cour...

29/08/2022

Lots of anticipation for today's launch. But it was scrubbed. Next launch opportunity in our story below.

The Artemis I mega rocket's launch has been postponed after the launch team discovered an issue with an engine bleed in one of the rocket's four engines. Thousands of onlookers jammed the roads and surrounding areas today for the launch leaving heavy congestion at news of the cancellation.

26/08/2022

Cory Mills defeated Anthony Sabatini by 14 percentage points in the GOP primary for Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Sabatini blamed ”RINOs” and “The Swamp” and vowed to continue his career in politics.

Just less than 48 hours after losing the 2022 Primary Election for Florida Congressional District 7, outgoing State Representative Anthony Sabatini took to twitter.

24/08/2022

Central Florida voted in yesterday's primary elections. Check out the key results!

23/08/2022

It’s the night before the primary and all Anthony Sabatini can talk about is another man’s wife… our story…

When he's not embellishing his State House record, Sabatini often blames "RINOs" in Tallahassee leadership for his failure to sponsor and pass even one bill. In reality, his own mouth is to blame, calling his colleagues and just about anyone he disagrees with cucks, idiots, as*holes... etc. You get....

15/08/2022

As voters start to cast their ballots, the latest issue of The Orlando Local News has some endorsements to consider.

Orlando Local News seeks to endorse candidates with three factors: integrity, loyalty to the district's constituents (i.e. their values) and competency. Our board spent the past month discussing the best and most qualified candidates for public office and settled on these choices. We appreciate your...

26/07/2022

The race and congressional district 7 is heating up in Florida! Al Santos, who is barely polling any votes has taken a cheap shot at one of the front runners, Cory Mills

Al Santos' honesty is about as close to zero as his polling numbers. His recent attack on war hero Cory Mills paints a picture of a desperate candidate seeking to take cheap shots at a man who's already had too many real shots fired at him serving his country.

21/07/2022

Are UCF students ready for the Fat Shack?

At UCF's new Collegiate housing students enjoy a wide array of dining and activities but none perhaps more savory than the development's latest newcomer: Fat Shack.

18/07/2022

There are some big political races coming in the Florida primary in August. The Orlando Local News is weighing in, including with this -- our latest editorial!

Anthony Sabatini does not deserve to represent the great people of Florida congressional district 7. He deserves to be excommunicated from public life.

28/06/2022

He was about 30,000 votes away from being Governor of Florida. Now, Andrew Gillum could be headed to federal prison, indicted on 21 counts including federal campaign-related charges. Read more in our story below.

Andrew Gillum, 2018 Democratic nominee for Florida governor and former Tallahassee mayor, and a longtime adviser, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, were arrested Wednesday on federal campaign-related charges.

10/03/2022

Our editor, Marshall Swanson, is reporting about the war in Ukraine from the front lines. Below is a video report of his from Poland. He's gone full Anderson Cooper -- on the beat for the Orlando Local News.

But seriously, this is a good report. We need more honest journalists and Marshall has answered the call. You can support this work and all the work of The Orlando Local News on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheOrlandoLocalNews

08/03/2022

The Editor of The Orlando Local News is on his way to Ukraine to report stories back to you Central Florida. A free and independent media is essential to the livelihood of a free people and the more voices we can amplify from Ukraine, the better. There are so many reports coming out of that country, almost a half a world away. The Orlando Local News intends to bring you the truth. After all, Orlando is a place people from all over the world come to, including people from Russia and Ukraine. As one example, the Ukrainian Society of Central Florida holds their annual festival in Apopka, where community leaders such as Ukrainian-American State Rep. Scott Plakon spoke in support of the Zelensky government.

If you'd like to support our work which makes reports like this possible, please do so today on our Patreon page here:https://www.patreon.com/TheOrlandoLocalNews

Orlando Local News Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston recently announced plans to report from the Ukrainian war theater this month. While the duration of his stay remains uncertain, the conflict will not be Swanson-Polston's first time in a war zone. The veteran politico and media professional previous...

24/02/2022

Yikes. Prayers for the family and all involved.

A Winter Park police officer shot and killed a man who fought with guests at a wedding reception Saturday night. The shooting took place at the city’s new $42-million Winter Park Library and Events Center.

23/02/2022

Former Congressman John Mica, an I-4 Ultimate visionary, inaugurated the freeway's new express lanes on Tuesday. The lanes, largely facilitated by Mica's work as House Transportation Chairman, will officially open on Saturday. More below.

Former Congressman John Mica, an I-4 Ultimate visionary, inaugurated the freeway's new express lanes on Tuesday. The lanes, largely facilitated by Mica's work as House Transportation Chairman, will officially open on Saturday.

23/02/2022

Tomorrow in Winter Park!

Winter Park's Rotary club will once again host the organization's annual Chili for Charity event at the Winter Park Events Center on February 23rd from 5-9 pm. Winter Park's finest restaurants will create their own special chili for guests to enjoy at the newly opened venue. The goal is to raise $20...

15/02/2022

When we see signs, we ask questions. We learned a lot more about the man behind some notable Central Florida signs.

The prominent Donald Trump mural at the intersection of the Florida Turnpike and Apopka Vineland Road has caught the attention of many a passerby. But residents of all political stripes often wonder, "who owns it?" We went to investigate and found a much more fascinating story than just a political....

13/02/2022

Some great Central Florida options to take your date out for a treat this Valentine’s Day.

Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster has been a favorite fine dining experience of the Orlando community for over 28 years. Call for reservations: 407-645-4443 or visit christnersprimesteakandlobster.com

12/02/2022

Making weekend dining plans? Check out Rocco's Italian Grille & Bar in Winter Park. More from our report below.

One of Central Florida's finest Italian restaurants lies tucked away in an unassuming enclave of Orlando Ave in Winter Park. With a lovely setting, inside and out, Rocco's Italian Grille ranks near the top of the higher-end Italian venues in our area, albeit one with a decidedly warm, neighborhood v...