Your Florida Daily: Winter Park leaders to vote on gas-powered leaf blower rule, national pickleball competition begins

ORLANDO, Fla. – A new chapter has begun in the ongoing legal battle between the state of Florida and its largest employer, Disney.

A federal judge tossed out Disney’s free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis. Disney sued Gov. DeSantis last year after he signed a law transferring control of Disney’s long-standing special taxing district to the state.

Disney’s lawsuit claimed the move was in retaliation after it spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education bill, known to critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

But on Wednesday the judge pointed to the fact that because the law changing Disney’s special taxing district is legal, then the reasons for passing the law don’t matter.

Disney told News 6 it’s planning an appeal and called this a “dangerous precedent.”

In the meantime, two other lawsuits between Disney and the special district are still being fought in state court.

Winter Park considering extension on implementing ban of gas leaf blowers

A yearslong debate over lawn equipment is set to come up again in Central Florida.

The city of Winter Park plans to start banning gas-powered leaf blowers for good this summer, but that could get pushed back.

The city says the goal is to reduce noise in neighborhoods and reduce air pollution. The city approved this ordinance nearly two years ago, but officials may consider extending the deadline after several requests.

Danny Loper told News 6 he uses electric lawn care equipment, but several landscaping companies do not, and that’s where things could get complicated.

“I know there are a lot of people that are going to be struggling because of this but I can sympathize with them as well,” Loper said. “It’s like 95% of them are using gas-powered stuff. So they’re going to take a big hit and it’s going to take them a little bit longer potentially to do their yards if they have like the most powerful stuff.”

Back in 2022, the city delayed the start date for the ordinance to give people more to time to prepare, which could be up for discussion during Thursday’s meeting.

They also approved a $50 rebate to help homeowners buy electric leaf blowers, but still that’s not enough to help other landscapers who have to make the switch if they want to work in Winter Park.

Nation’s top pickleball players ages 40+ to compete in Volusia County

Calling all professional and amateur pickleball players.

Starting Thursday, Pictona at Holly Hill in Volusia County is hosting the Association of Pickleball Players’ 2024 AARP U.S. Champions Cup.

It is a chance for casual players and advanced players to compete across four days of elite pickleball action.

The pros will compete for their share of a $75,000 purse.

If you wanna spectate, tickets for this weekend’s event cost about $15. The event runs through Sunday.

Random Florida Fact

Bayshore Boulevard is a waterfront road on Hillsborough Bay just south of downtown Tampa.

Its sidewalk measures in at 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long and 10 feet (3.0 m) wide, making it the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States.