BAKARI BURNS

ORLANDO, Fla. — Throughout the month of February, the Orlando community is hosting a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. “Black History Month is underway,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer tweeted on Wednesday. Read: Orlando to consider plans for reconstructing 100-year-old church in ParramoreCity of Orlando’s Black History Month Proclamation PresentationMonday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City Commissioners will join the Black History Month (BHM) Planning Committee to officially proclaim February as Black History Month in the city of Orlando. The annual Black History Month Signature Event celebrates the remarkable contributions and positive influence of Black Americans in the Central Florida community. The Orange County Regional History Center is hosting several exhibits and special events in honor of Black History Month.

An Orlando City Commissioner's unusual idea to put "safety coaches" in one troubled school to combat violence is now happening.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Depression 13, which formed Thursday night in the Caribbean, is forecast to become Tropical Storm Julia on Friday. Over the next few days, Crimi said it is forecast to become a hurricane before it impacts portions of Central America. Read: Natural disasters like Hurricane Ian could worsen economic inequalitiesThe system is not a threat to Florida. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 Food, diaper giveaway in Orlando Orlando Commissioner Bakari Burns teamed up with the Central Florida Diaper Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, Equal Ground, and OUC to pull together resources for the event. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm.

People and community organizations across Central Florida are banding together to lend a helping hand to families in need after Hurricane Ian.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Several local organizations have teamed up for a Hurricane Ian relief event on Thursday morning. Orlando Commissioner Bakari Burns teamed up with the Central Florida Diaper Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, Equal Ground, and OUC to pull together resources for the event. Read: As flooding recedes, is Central Florida prepared for a wave of evictions? “So, my office has partnered with local organizations that can assist, like the Central Florida Diaper Bank and Second Harvest. Read: Hundreds of Orange County families being evicted after Hurricane Ian damages complexResidents can call 407-246-2006 for more information.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The world-famous Art’s Sandwich Shop in Orlando is turning 50 this year. Read: Time to shell-abrate: Sea Life Orlando’s Ted the turtle turns 22Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Bakari Burns were at the shop this week to help celebrate. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Art’s Sandwich Shop celebrates 50 years in OrlandoBurns named Art’s Sandwich Shop as the district’s business of the month and presented the owner, Sybyal Adkins, with a proclamation. Watch: NASA releases ghostly sound recorded from black hole“We appreciate all our customers and being in Orlando. The entire Adkins family has contributed to the restaurant and have had celebrities like Jack Black visit regularly.

The new school year begins in less than two weeks. Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns wants to make sure students start off on the right foot.

A car crashed into a building in Orlando, according to the police department.

On Saturday, you can check out the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration in Orlando. READ: Juneteenth: What to know about the holiday that celebrates slavery’s endThe event will feature live music, a kids zone, vendor village and food trucks. You can also check out a Juneteenth celebration in Hannibal Square this weekend. If you’re in Daytona Beach on Saturday, you can check out a Juneteenth community celebration festival. READ: Happening Saturday: ‘Experience Osceola’ festival to feature live music, foodTo learn more about the event, click here.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando celebrated the grand opening of a new neighborhood center in Holden Heights on Wednesday. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Bakari Burns participated in the official ribbon-cutting. The historic former Grand Avenue Elementary has been repurposed as a youth and family recreation center, complete with a gym and a pottery studio. For instance, the Orlando Science Center is going to do a STEM program here with the support of NASA ... how cool is that?,” Dyer said. Photos: See inside Orlando’s new neighborhood center in Holden HeightsThe city is hosting a community open house on Saturday, featuring tours of the new facility as well as youth activities.

Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns called the proliferating gun violence a “public health issue.”

City Commissioner Bakari Burns, who represents Orlando’s sixth district, said he has a plan to curb school violence in the area.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In the wake of several reports of violence in and around local schools, parents and school leaders have begun discussing how to handle these incidents. At a meeting Friday night at Carver Middle School, Orange County leaders and parents discussed different ways to keep kids safe. Read: Guns, mental health and parenting: Carver Middle School community tries to tackle violence“Challenging behavior before it escalates to needing police intervention,” Burns said. Many parents were most concerned about guns, citing an incident earlier this month where dozens of kids ran from a shooting not far from campus after school let out. “I really do.”Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Carver Middle School MeetingClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Members of the Carver Middle School community gathered inside the school’s cafeteria Monday night after a series of fights this fall escalated into a shots-fired incident after the school let out in early December. No students were injured, and none of the teens arrested were students at that school, officials pointed out. “I see kids standing up here with guns,” one man said, posing as if he was making an Instagram post. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Carver Middle School MeetingCommunity members complained that guns were an escalating factor that wasn’t a part of fights they got into as kids. City Commissioner Bakari Burns unveiled a $250,000 proposal to provide Carver Middle School with four “safety coaches” to guide students through difficult situations before they escalate to needing law enforcement involvement.

Orange County School Board member Vicki-Elaine Felder hosted a town hall meeting on Monday to address the safety of students and the community near Carver Middle School.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some people living in an Orlando neighborhood said they’re upset after police said four suspects opened fire on a home, injuring three people. Police said they’re hoping the community will help them track down the four people wanted in that shooting. The three people injured are expected to be OK. The shooting happened along Crooms Avenue near Columbia Street just west of John Young Parkway Sunday afternoon. Lewis said she and other community members have reached out to Commissioner Bakari Burns and members of the Orlando Police Department.

Since the lifting of international travel restrictions, one of Central Florida's most significant communities is already starting to see a strong comeback, the Brazilian community.

As the state of Florida has seen more than 50,000 people die from COVID-19, an Orlando city commissioner is holding a commnity vigil Tuesday evening to acknowledge those many lives lost.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A community vigil will be held on Tuesday evening in Orlando to acknowledge the 50,000 Floridians who have died of COVID-19. Commissioner Bakari Burns and faith leaders will host the vigil at 6 p.m.READ: White House proposal would send your bank account information to the IRS. What you need to knowIt will be held at the Mt. Burns said he has called faith leaders together to offer words of comfort, encouragement and hope for the future. READ: Coronavirus: Johnson & Johnson says booster 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 in USThose who attend will also be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine or test if needed.

Orlando set aside more than $8.6 million for rental assistance and is nowhere near close to using all of the funds.

The COVID-19 vaccination sites that have been operating out of Orlando community centers for more than a month now will shut down in a few days.

Pfizer vaccines were on hand for anyone 12 and up. Johnson and Johnson vaccines were also available.

A group of mostly African American historians met outside of Orlando City Hall on Thursday to recognize May 20 as Florida’s Emancipation Day.

Anyone 40 or older can get vaccinated at Orange County Convention Center on Monday, mayor saysORLANDO, Fla. – Vaccine eligibility expanded across Florida on Monday, allowing anyone 50 and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine. DeSantis issued an executive order, saying anyone 50 and over may get the vaccine as early as Monday. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida COVID-19 roundup: 3,987 new cases, 50+ vaccine eligible starting Monday ]AdFind the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on March 22. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 2,979 new cases on Monday, bringing the state’s overall total to 2,011,211 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

The jazz festival was a much-needed mental break from the COVID pandemic, according to Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns. Burns was seen on a Facebook Live post as a host of the music festival, sharing people could not only enjoy music, but get vaccinated for COVID as well. Tickets for the event at Bill Frederick Park sold out earlier this week, according to the Facebook page of Burns. In his Facebook Live post near the 5:30 mark, Burns can be heard saying, “We all need to consider getting the vaccine if you haven’t. Around three hours later Burns clarified his statement and said anyone 18 and older with comorbidities.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Walmart on Thursday opened pop-up vaccine clinics in the parking lots of three Florida locations, including a store in Orlando. The shots at the pop-up clinic are being made available through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Eligible patients can make an appointment at the pop-up site, or at any participating Walmart location, by clicking here. The set up is already in place at this Wal-Mart in Orlando for tomorrow’s pop-up vaccine site. Black seniors who live near this Orlando Walmart said the pop-up site is great news when it comes to more access.

ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando commissioner went door-to-door in Washington Shores Tuesday in an effort to educate people prominently Black neighborhoods in his district about where to go to get one. News 6 followed Bakari Burns as he walked through Washington Shores knocking on doors and passing out flyers. “I’m disappointed that the vaccine seems to be unavailable in parts of our community that our hardest hit by COVID-19,” Burns said. RIGHT NOW: City commissioner @orldistrict6 about to go door to door in Washington Shores letting seniors know about resources available in their community and how to get the covid-19 vaccine. @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/ctbAV09AKm — Jerry Askin (@JerryAskinNews6) February 16, 2021Mattie Streeter, 83, said she’s been trying to get her COVID-19 vaccine for what seems like forever, but the access in her Washington Shores neighborhood seems low.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting at a party that left one person dead. According to authorities, deputies responded to a warehouse in the 300 block of North Ivey Lane in reference to an aggravated battery around 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Deputies said a 29-year-old man was also shot receiving a non-life-threatening wound. “Detectives' investigation revealed this incident took place during a large party that was held at that warehouse,” deputies said. “Detectives and deputies are still on scene as this investigation is an active and on-going,” deputies added.

Previously, the Census Bureau had only half that time for data processing, from the start of October until the end of December. The San Jose, California-based judge earlier this month issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Census Bureau from winding down field operations until she ruled. Attorneys for the Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce had said during the hearing they would likely appeal if the judge ruled against them. The bureau was facing a shortfall in census takers after large numbers reported for training but then dropped out. “Every day that the 2020 Census count continues, and Census operations appropriately continue, will help ensure the accuracy and completeness of this once-in-a-decade tally.”___Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP.

ORLANDO, Fla. – With less than two weeks until the deadline to complete the 2020 Census, an Orlando city commissioner is taking his efforts to the streets to get more people to respond. Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns and a group of volunteers walked down Nimons Street Saturday morning. He was encouraging people to fill out the 2020 Census with only days left before the September 30th deadline. Orange County government set up seven computer kiosks inside seven different community centers in the county. The centers will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Those needing to visit a census location can visit one of the following sites:

ORLANDO, Fla. Volunteers and city leaders are coming together this Labor Day weekend to help educate residents on the importance of filling out their 2020 US Census form. Orlando Commissioner Bakari Burns said his goal is to reach people in areas of Orlando that have a low response rate but have a high need for federal resources. You can do your part and filling out this census to ensure that the resources come to our community, so we cant improve our community, Bakari said. Bakari told News 6 that the lowest response rate currently is the Parramore neighborhood at 38 percent, followed by the Washington Shores neighborhood at 45 percent. You can do your part and filling out this census to ensure that the resources come to our community, so we can improve our community, Burns said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns held a virtual listening session Thursday evening with middle and high school students to hear their concerns about race relations and discuss ways they can better bridge the gap with police. Commissioner Burns said he wanted to make sure their voices and perspective were heard loud and clear. We want to hear it directly from you, not from your pastors, not from your parents or mentors, but from you, Commissioner Burns told the students during that virtual call. We dont want them to continue to grow up fearing the police, so we have to make sure we encourage them, said Burns. Theyre also in a program called United Foundation of Central Floridas Future Leaders United where they say theyve had positive interactions with police.

In Orlando, Commissioners Regina Hill and Bakari Burns met with community members virtually for a town hall meeting centered around racial injustice and accountability. A lot of things that were discussing are structural and for the long-term and a lot of things were discussing take time, Burns said. Hill responded to questions geared at taking a hard look at how law enforcement police the community. The discussion reignited the conversation about Orlandos nine-member citizens review board and police oversight in response to police brutality. I think were getting some pushback on how independent that looks and what powers that would look like, Gilbert said.

That is the driving force behind a virtual town hall Monday evening focused on bringing people together over the issues that are driving them apart. Orlando City Commissioners Regina Hill and Bakari Burns are hosting the conversation to engage more with the community. After the protest, whats next, and we want to make sure the whats next is all inclusive, Hill said. We want to make sure they know their history, and know why people are protesting and know what happened. This comes after News 6 hosted a Juneteenth town hall Friday where viewers got a chance to ask questions about race relations.

Today, Dec. 3, is the last day to vote in the runoff election to settle the last Orlando City Council seat. That means Gelzer's total number of votes more than doubles the 215-vote difference between Burns and Siplin. On Nov. 12, Gelzer announced that she endorsed Siplin in the runoff, making this an even more hotly contested race.Check out our voter guide profiles of Burns and Siplin from before the Nov. 5 vote, as well as updated profiles ahead of today's runoff campaign. Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida. Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlandos true free press

The Orlando mayor's race came to an unsurprising finish, with Mayor Buddy Dyer capturing nearly 72 percent of votes cast in Tuesday's election.City Council District 6 will wait to get their new commissioner, with Bakari Burns , winning 45.92 percent, under the 50 percent threshold for an outright win. Burns, CEO of Health Care Center for the Homeless, will face off against for state Sen. Gary Siplin in the runoff election slated for Dec. 3.A paltry 12.63 percent of eligible Orlando voters actually showed up or mailed in a ballot. Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida. Unlike many newspapers, ours is free and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community. Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlandos true free press