REEDY CREEK

Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell said lawmakers can get pulled into some pretty strange positions by Florida’s special interest groups.

It was an emotional start during the first meeting of the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District—the newly renamed Reedy Creek Improvement District—Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his appointment of five members to the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly the Reedy Creek District.

Control over Disney’s special district officially went to the hands of Florida as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill renaming and remaking Reedy Creek.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will soon take control of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district.

Florida House Lawmakers in Tallahassee passed a bill Thursday that will change the governing body that runs Walt Disney World property in the latest chapter of the fight between Florida Gov. DeSantis and Walt Disney World.

The Florida House is ready to take up a proposal that would shift control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and give it a new name.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District board met amid a special session that could give Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis control over the Disney district.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference on Wednesday at an appliance store in Ocala to highlight tax relief proposals he made earlier this month when pitching a $114.8 billion state budget.

Florida lawmakers are meeting to complete a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program.

POINCIANA, Fla. — Officials with the Toho Water Authority announced a boil water advisory is in effect for customers in the Poinciana area. Toho said a water main break under Reedy Creek that occurred on Saturday would impact customers in the area. Read: Orlando Museum of Art exhibit features Ukraine war photos from local college studentAccording to the utility company, crews are working to isolate the water main south of Reedy Creek and customers who use water for irrigation should limit usage for the next few days. Read: 9 tips to keep yourself healthy during American Heart MonthCustomers are advised to boil water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes for one minute. Officials said bottled water is a good alternative.

Florida’s lawmakers will go to Tallahassee next week for a special session to handle a number of issues, including reforming Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to hold a news conference Wednesday morning. The governor is set to speak around 10:45 a.m. from the Florida State Capitol. Watch: DeSantis: Special session on Disney’s Reedy Creek expected next weekThe governor’s press office did not say what DeSantis is planning to talk about. Channel 9 will be monitoring DeSantis’ remarks and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Highs rebound to the low 70s Saturday afternoon

The Florida Legislature will get Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to remake the special taxing district for Walt Disney World in the upcoming legislative session, according to a notice filed in Osceola County.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office on Friday pushed back against a published report that claimed state lawmakers were working to reinstate Disney’s own government.

Lawmakers prepare to meet Tuesday in an organization session involving a series of changes in subcommittees.

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — If you live in Titusville, you may notice a change in your drinking water. Watch: ‘The Search: Tracy Ocasio & Michelle Parker’: How to watchThe city is starting chlorine dosing in the water distribution system. For the next six weeks, you may notice a chlorine taste or smell. Watch: Reedy Creek replacement in the worksThe city said this is totally normal, and the water is still safe for drinking, cooking and bathing. The process is set to end Oct. 21.

On Tuesday night, Disney World’s Reedy Creek firefighters joined other unions in endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis in his reelection campaign. Yes, the same DeSantis that...

Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his promise that Florida's taxpayers will not take on Walt Disney World's debt when and if the Reedy Creek Improvement District dissolves in 2023, teasing that he may have some legislative measures in place to prevent that from happening.

A group of Central Florida taxpayers are suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over a recently signed law that would dissolve Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek...

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.

VIDEO: Texas congressman pushes to eliminate no-fly zones over Disney parks Texas congressman pushes to eliminate no-fly zones over Disney parksORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Texas congressman from Texas is questioning the no-fly zones over Disney theme parks in both Florida and California. This comes after Florida lawmakers recently voted to do away with Reedy Creek, Walt Disney World’s special taxing district. READ: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers? The no-fly zone states aircrafts can be no closer than an altitude of 3,000 feet and a three-mile radius from the center of Magic Kingdom. “So the criticism of Disney Is that a no-fly zone doesn’t really protect them from anything,” said Dr. Richard Foglesong, author of the book “Married to the Mouse,” which chronicles Disney’s history in Florida.

Democratic state lawmakers are set to hold a news conference Monday morning to address the new Florida law which will dissolve six special districts in the state, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District which allows Walt Disney World to self-govern.

A Maitland attorney specializing in local government issues said the law stripping Disney of its special governing powers will not hold up in court.

The breakfast of champions. A big bowl of cereal filled with orange juice.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Reedy Creek officials have released a statement after the state ordered the end of its special tax district. In the statement, Reedy Creek cites a part of the law that deals with contracts. In it, Reedy Creek said Florida’s politicians promised not to interfere with Reedy Creek as long as the district had debt on its books. READ: Reedy Creek leaders meet for the first time since bill signed to dissolve special districtIt was written that way into the charter that set up the district, and Reedy Creek is exploring its options. “Florida cannot promise that they won’t mess with Reedy Creek, and then dissolve Reedy Creek.

Walt Disney Co. has remained relatively silent as lawmakers have debated (and ultimately signed off on the demise of) their long-held independent government in Reedy...

The Board of Supervisors for Reedy Creek will meet for the first time since the state legislature voted to strip Disney of its self-governing power.

After driving under Walt Disney World’s entrance archways and winding past theme parks and hotels, resort visitors may find themselves outside the guarded gate of an elite residential community containing some of Central Florida’s most expensive real estate.

In taking on Disney, Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is testing the limits of his combative leadership style.

With the state legislature passing a measure to strip Walt Disney World of its self-governing powers, concerns are increasing for what kind of an impact it will have on Central Florida.

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Rollins College is expecting the blooming of two unique and stinky plants. The pair of endangered corpses plants are in the Rollins College greenhouse and could start blooming as soon as Monday. Officials said corpse plants are famous for being among the world’s largest plants and the most difficult to cultivate. WATCH: Orlando White Castle expanding with new space for pickup and delivery, 24-hour restaurant serviceOfficials said having two corpse plants bloom around the same time is almost unprecedented. Rollins College is sharing a livestream to watch one of the plant’s blooming progresses.

ORLANDO, Fla. — We’ll have another breezy and nice day in Central Florida on Thursday. Daytime highs will be in the 70s and low 80s. We’ll warm up through the weekend, with highs in the mid-80s. What’s next for Reedy CreekThe rain chance will stay minimal this weekend and next week at 20%. The rip current risk will remain high at our beaches.

Ron DeSantis vetoing pet projects in their budget if they step out of line, they will vote for his preferred Congressional map and to dismantle Disney’s Reedy Creek district merely 48 hours after the idea was proposed. However, Terry Lewis, an attorney with Lewis, Longman & Walker who specializes in special district law, said Disney likely doesn’t have any ground to stand on. READ: What would dissolving Disney’s Reedy Creek mean for local taxpayers? “If the legislature created you a special district, it has the absolute authority to modify your special act, your charter, or to even further dissolve the district,” Lyon explained. Reedy Creek, he said, would survive in a slightly slimmed down form.

The Florida Senate voted Wednesday to eliminate Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, alongside districts populated by Black Democrats, backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed redistricting plan.

News 6 political expert Jim Clark weighs in on a special session in Florida that could do away with the Reedy Creek District at Disney World.

Toward the end of a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach on Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on the possibility that state lawmakers could move to repeal the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act over Disney’s stated and financial opposition to the recently signed “Parental Rights in Education” bill.

Thousands of runners have arrived at Walt Disney World for the inaugural runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend.

Indulge in barbeque, enjoy live music and support local at the upcoming Grant BBQ Fest.

The rights of Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney's own government, are now being discussed among some Florida lawmakers following controversy surrounding the company's response to Gov. DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" bill.

A Reedy Creek representative said the timeline for Grants illness doesnt fall into the accepted CDC guideline of two to 17 days because he started showing symptoms 24 hours after contact with the paramedics. The Reedy Creek communications manager told News 6, We did pull all the EMS reports from June 23 (a week prior to the first person showing symptoms). Reedy Creek paramedics Steven Provost and Brian Astleford were on the June 29 call to Disney Springs and tested positive for the coronavirus four days later. Were on the front lines dealing with COVID everyday, Grant told News 6. They are a lot of employers in Florida simply saying you cant prove you contracted this disease on the job.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tanya McKay took the podium before state lawmakers in Tallahassee last year to urge the passage of legislation that would provide coverage for first responders diagnosed with work-related cancer. Grasso had been with Reedy Creek for two years short of the five consecutive years mandated under the law. Both Bichler and Grasso tell News 6 Grasso’s 13 years as a firefighter in Florida communities from Sumter County to Reedy Creek more than meets the standard of service. Grasso’s cancer is in remission and he has returned to work but doctors say there is no guarantee the cancer will not return. Bichler is currently representing firefighters and their families in Seminole County, Reedy Creek and Clay County.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Guests at Animal Kingdom were escorted off of a popular ride at Disney World on Thursday. Disney officials said first responders with Reedy Creek were called to check out possible smoke at the Flight of Passage ride. Guests were briefly evacuated, according to Disney. The guests were brought back after the ride was cleared and working again.

Reedy Creek firefighter denied cancer benefits suing agencyPublished: November 13, 2019, 12:27 pmPaul Grasso’s 13-year career as a firefighter led him to his dream job with Reedy Creek in 2017 and a legal fight for cancer benefits less than two years later.

Reedy Creek firefighters said they got the call around 8:30 p.m. after several passengers were trapped inside the gondolas. Sean Pierce is the vice president of Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters Association and said all of their firefighters responded. Though Reedy Creek firefighters did not have to use ropes for the rescues, they still called for extra help from Orange and Osceola county fire departments out of an abundance of caution. Disney officials released a statement following the incident, saying they're investigating the cause. "We have a team diligently looking into the cause of last night's malfunction on the Epcot line of the Disney Skyliner," a Disney spokesperson said.