Local news for Orlando, delivered as a free five-minute briefing every morning. Drop your email and you’re in — we’ll take care of the rest.
Jackie Espinosa was elected mayor of Kissimmee in 2024. The state ethics matter concerns businesses connected to Espinosa and her family receiving money through the city-administered Business Boost 2.0 program, which used federal pandemic-relief funding. The state proceeding is separate from a city impeachment effort that did not advance after a 2-2 City Commission vote on Aug. 18.
Orange County Public Schools, Florida’s fourth-largest school district, receives much of its state funding according to student enrollment. Its 10-day count for the 2026-27 school year found enrollment below projections, following a larger-than-expected year-over-year decline reported in late August. The district is also managing a growing Employee Benefits Trust deficit and says health-plan costs are adding roughly $20 million per month absent plan changes.
Automated license plate recognition systems capture license-plate images and convert them into searchable data. Florida law permits the Department of Transportation, at its discretion, to authorize such systems within state-highway rights-of-way for active criminal intelligence or investigative purposes, while requiring removal within 30 days of DOT notice. In late August, FDOT revoked local agencies’ approvals for readers in state-highway rights-of-way amid privacy and misuse concerns; that order did not automatically govern cameras on local roads or private property.
Groveland is addressing reclaimed-water pressure and supply constraints in its northern service area, including the Wilson Lake Parkway corridor and Cascades at Trilogy. The city attributes the constraints to rapid growth, high peak demand and elevations that affect water flow. Its response combines a supplemental well with upgrades to pumps at the Sunshine Reclaimed Water Facility.
Groveland’s City Council approved a multi-year water-rate structure in 2024 to finance major water-system upgrades. The city says the program covers new water and treatment plants, renovation of an existing plant, water-main and pipe replacements, and equipment improvements. Separately, city leaders are pursuing a new wastewater treatment plant, for which they hope to use growth-related revenue and outside funding rather than primarily charge existing customers.
Volusia County allows vehicles to drive and park on designated stretches of beach, with more than 5,000 on-beach spaces countywide. Labor Day weekend typically brings increased beach traffic, and county officials are limiting parking in selected high-traffic areas to reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.
Central Florida’s Labor Day weekend forecast calls for an unsettled, moisture-rich pattern rather than continuous all-day rain. The National Weather Service says above-normal rain and thunderstorm chances are expected across East Central Florida through the weekend and Labor Day, with sea-breeze interactions favoring the highest coverage inland. Forecast hazards include lightning, gusty winds, locally heavy rain and minor flooding, alongside highs near the low 90s.