First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strength
VIDEO: First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strength First Reedy Creek lawsuit against DeSantis filed, but some question its strengthORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As expected, it didn’t take long for the first lawsuit to be filed against the Florida state government over its handling of Disney World’s special tax district, Reedy Creek. The case, titled Foronda v. DeSantis, challenges the grounds that the governor and his allies used to order the dissolution of Reedy Creek in June 2023. They also say DeSantis violated Florida’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights by dumping Reedy Creek’s bond debt on property owners’ laps, potentially sending their payments up by 25% once the Reedy Creek law takes effect, as Tax Collector Scott Randolph suggested. However, the spokesman repeated a prior statement that the governor had a plan to ensure taxpayers weren’t negatively impacted by the status of Reedy Creek. Sanchez’ lawsuit is expected to be one of several.
wftv.comIn fashion: Dapper Day outings return to Disney World this weekend
VIDEO: In fashion: Dapper Day outings return to Disney World this weekend In fashion: Dapper Day outings return to Disney World this weekendLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The most magical place on Earth is going to look even more refined this weekend. Dapper Day outings return Saturday and Sunday for another sophisticated good time. “It’s all about being at the park and showing off your own unique sense of style,” said Chloé Ferreira, Dapper Day producer. Ferreira said Dapper Day has already expanded Dapper Day outings in Southern California to include non-Disney sites such as museums, and the company looks to do the same in Central Florida. Florida lawmakers vote to strip Disney’s self-government The Florida House of Representatives has voted to strip Walt Disney World of its special designation.
wftv.comNew Orlando clinic helping identify, support children with fetal alcohol syndrome
ORLANDO, Fla. — A first of its kind clinic in Central Florida is helping diagnose what doctors consider an ‘invisible disability’ at birth, impacting as many as one in 20 children. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome occurs when a woman drinks too much during pregnancy, and it can lead to lifelong cognitive and behavioral issues. Only 9 Investigates went inside the new clinic and learned, oftentimes, those issues don’t become obvious until years after a child is born. In an office off Gore Street near downtown Orlando, a simple conversation about stars is helping 5-year-old Dayton Dodson’s family identify strengths and weaknesses in his speech. So we explored the family history a little bit further, and found out that there was fetal alcohol exposure,” Dodson said.
wftv.comEnvironmental group to fight state agency’s approval of toll road through Split Oak Forest
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Split Oak Forest currently offers 1,700 acres of tranquility, but it may not be that way for long. The Central Florida Expressway Authority wants to extend Osceola Parkway more than a mile across the southwest corner of the forest. In Tallahassee on Wednesday, the Florida Communities Trust Governing Board decided that the Osceola Parkway could, in fact, go through the forest. In December 2019, Orange County approved an $800 million toll road to go through the forest. Officials with the environmental group Friends of Split Oak said they will sue forwhat was not only promised, but was also decided on by voters.
wftv.comOviedo leaders look to the future with emphasis on traffic and growth
OVEIDO, Fla. — The City of Oviedo has grown leaps and bounds in the last decade, adding nearly 10,000 residents. Ingrid Bryant has lived in Oviedo since 1959 and said the once quiet farming town has outgrown its current capacity. Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek said the plan focuses future development in three core areas of the city: Oviedo on the park, the water tower district, and the area around the Oviedo mall. City leaders said even a 10% reduction would cut down on the congestion. More information about the City of Oviedo comprehensive plan can be found here.
wftv.comIce cream shop known for ‘innovative, taste-provoking’ flavors to open at Disney Springs this month
BAY LAKE, Fla. — A family-run ice cream company known for its “innovative and taste-provoking” flavors will be opening in Disney Springs at the end of the month. Salt & Straw is bringing its small-batch ice cream to Disney World after the successful opening at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. READ: ‘We had to revitalize it’: Iconic swan boats will return to Lake Eola after updates to dockThe first 100 customers will receive a free scoop of ice cream on opening day. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new scoop shop on opening day. To learn more about the ice cream shop, click here.
wftv.com4 springtime activities we love at Walt Disney World
The resort is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary celebration, and now is the perfect time to celebrate the season and upcoming Easter holiday. If you plan on visiting, we have uncovered a number of fun activities for families to experience while out exploring the theme parks and nearby resort hotels.
Meet Gino, Animal Kingdom’s most famous resident and face of the Gorilla Species Survival Program
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Like creatures of habit, every morning around 8 a.m. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the family troop of gorillas wakes up, climbs over the hill and comes in for breakfast. One of the last members of the family to the table is Gino. And for some guests, he’s the main attraction. The western lowland gorilla is the face of the Gorilla Species Survival Program. With his family troop, he’s fathered 14 offspring.
wftv.comDisney addresses new legislation that would fine companies for enforcing vaccine mandates
Disney World's 50-year employees Guests stroll along Main Street at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux/AP)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Disney addresses reports and social media blogs about ending the vaccine mandates at their Florida properties. In October, Disney announced unionized employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 22. Read: Disney cast members protest company’s vaccine mandateRecent legislation signed by Gov. The legislation will also prevent employers from firing workers over COVID-19 vaccination mandates and allow parents to decide whether to vaccinate their children.
wftv.comLookin’ sharp: Dapper Day outings return to Disney World this weekend
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — If you’re at Walt Disney World this weekend, don’t be surprised if you see people trading in their touristy best for slacks, suspenders, dresses and bowties. Dapper Day outings officially return to Disney World this weekend, celebrating its 10th year. Dapper Days takes place Saturday at Epcot, and at Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Click here to make a reservation. READ: Coronavirus: Disneyland’s Dapper Dans bring songs to fans at homeClick 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.
wftv.comDisney returns to profit in 4Q, helped by reopened parks
The Walt Disney Co. returned to a quarterly profit as it once again got a bump from reopened parks. Disney has closed or limited capacity at its theme parks during the pandemic, weighing on revenue. The company ended its fiscal year with 118.1 million Disney+ subscribers, up 60% from the previous year but less than analysts' forecast of 126.2 million. It expects 230 to 260 million subscribers by 2024, and some analysts have warned that growth is lagging and Disney could miss that target. The company has about 179 million total streaming subscribers including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu, and Disney says its streaming business is its top priority as cord-cutting reduces the viewing universe for traditional TV networks.
wftv.comMild temps with slight chance of storms on Saturday
ORLANDO, Fla. — Temperatures will be slightly cooler Saturday morning and into the afternoon as well. Daytime highs are expected to reach the mid-to-upper 80s on Saturday. Read: Your guide to Orlando Come Out With Pride 2021Most of Central Florida will see mainly dry skies on Saturday. Read: Doctors use smell training exercises to help some COVID-19 patients recover their lost sensesAreas of Southern Brevard and Osceola counties will have the best chances of afternoon showers and storms. Read: Disney World at 50, and the city that rose around itChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app.
wftv.comThe Latest: Big Florida school district imposes mask mandate
That’s while Mississippi is facing a record number of people hospitalized with the virus — 1,633 on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. More than 250 people were waiting in Mississippi emergency rooms for beds Wednesday morning, according to health officials. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said that is one reason why healthcare workers have left. The order also includes businesses such as retail shops, grocery stores and laundries, Shelby County Health Department spokeswoman Joan Carr said. Last spring, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas.
wftv.comThe Latest: Los Angeles to require city worker vaccinations
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh)LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to require city workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a medical or religious exemption. “We are the largest employer in the City of Los Angeles and we need to set an example,” Martinez said. Last spring, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas. ___ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The intensive care unit system in Alaska’s largest city is near capacity, amid a rise in COVID-19 cases during what is typically a busy season for hospitals. Figures reported Tuesday by the state health department showed six available adult ICU beds in Anchorage and 35 available adult non-ICU beds.
wftv.com“I’m going to Disney World”: How the iconic phrase came to be
In his memoir “Work in Progress,” former Disney CEO Michel Eisner credits his wife, Jane Eisner, for coming up with the idea. At the dinner, Jane Eisner asked Rutan and Yeager what they could possibly to do next, to which Rutan said, “I’m going to Disneyland.”Jane Eisner told Michael Eisner that the phrase would make a great marketing campaign. At the end of that month, Super Bowl XXI was set to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When Simms was awarded MVP, he looked into the camera and said, “I’m going to Disney World.”In fact, he said it six times -- three for Disneyland and three for Disney World. Since that day in January 1987, the ad has been featured as part of sporting events more than 50 times, with Tom Brady holding the record, having uttered the line publicly after four different Super Bowl wins.
wftv.comFlorida man threatened to blow up homes of Disney World execs, investigators say
Florida man threatened to blow up homes of Disney World execs Steven Jordan, 31, used social media to make threats including to blow up the homes of Disney executives with C-4 and a hand grenade, investigators said. (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man used social media to make threats including to blow up the homes of Disney executives with C-4 and a hand grenade, investigators said. A couple of the tweets were threats directed toward Walt Disney World. “@Disney or we will blow up all of your execs houses with C4,” one tweet read. Detectives Arrest Man for Threats Made Against Walt Disney World: https://t.co/lsU3iO3iv2 pic.twitter.com/Sx30acNz8C — Pinellas SO (@SheriffPinellas) August 13, 2021©2021 Cox Media Group
wftv.comThese shows are returning to Walt Disney World this summer
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More entertainment is heading back to Walt Disney World, the resort announced this week. Four favorites are expected to return soon:READ: Disney World resorts back to pre-pandemic employment, executive saysStarting Aug. 1, The Wonderful World of Animation will again light up the night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney shows returning (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)On Aug. 15, Beauty and the Beast -- Live on Stage returns to the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney shows returning Four popular shows are returning to Walt Disney World this summer (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)READ: Disney World announces Summer Fun Ticket for Florida residentsDisney also announced that this summer would be the last time to catch two nighttime fireworks shows. Disney shows returning (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)READ: Disney confirms plans to build campus in Lake Nona, relocate 2K jobs hereExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Disney’s Polynesian Village resort and Citricos Restaurant re-openings On Tuesday, Walt Disney World celebrated the reopening of some of their resorts that have been closed for more than a year.
wftv.comFirst African American spelling bee champ breezes to win
Now she has become the first African American winner in the 96-year history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The only previous Black winner was also the only champ from outside the United States: Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica in 1998. Zaila has described spelling as a side hobby, although she routinely practiced for seven hours a day. Zaila twirled and leaped with excitement after spelling the winning word “murraya,” a genus of tropical Asiatic and Australian trees. In 2019, Scripps' word list was no match for the deep and talented field, and the bee ended in an eight-way tie.
wftv.comZaila Avant-garde breezes to National Spelling Bee win
Spelling Bee Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from Harvey, Louisiana reacts after correctly spelling a word during the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — (AP) — Whether dribbling a basketball or identifying obscure Latin or Greek roots, Zaila Avant-garde doesn't show much stress. The 14-year-old from Harvey, Louisiana, breezed to the championship at the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, becoming the first African American winner and only the second Black champion in the bee's 96-year history. Zaila has described spelling as a side hobby, although she routinely practiced for seven hours a day. Zaila twirled and leaped with excitement after spelling the winning word, “murraya,” a genus of tropical Asiatic and Australian trees. Both Zaila and Chaitra are coached by Cole Shafer-Ray, a 20-year-old Yale student who was the 2015 Scripps runner-up.
wftv.comScattered thunderstorms to move through Central Florida, summertime pattern sticks around
ORLANDO, Fla. — Scattered thunderstorms will move through Central Florida on Tuesday afternoon. There’s a 50% chance of showers, with the rain starting in some areas around lunchtime. READ: Central Florida’s ‘most highly trained’ first responders working to save lives in SurfsideSpotty showers will continue in through the evening hours. Tuesday’s high is 89. READ: Viral video captures Disney World gorillas vexed by snake intruderMeteorologist Brian Shields said it’s going to get a little wetter over the next couple of days.
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