Local Politics · Orlando, FL
Orlando Weekly has published a voting guide for the 2026 midterm elections, detailing federal, state, and local candidates in Orange County. Early voting is currently open through November 1, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. The guide covers races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Florida Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Senate, and State House.
Education · Orange County
The Orange County school board postponed a vote on special magistrate recommendations in a contract dispute between Orange County Public Schools and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association over wages and health insurance costs. The magistrate's Oct. 16 recommendations included 2.5 percent wage increases and a 20 percent cap on premium increases, figures closer to union demands than district proposals. The union accepted the recommendations reluctantly, but the district rejected them one day later, citing $105.1 million in additional costs. A final hearing is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m., though the union's attorney argued state law entitled them to 20 days after the ruling to prepare.
Transportation · Orange County
On September 29, 2026, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners adopted a micromobility ordinance governing electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and similar devices. The rules set speed limits of 10 mph on sidewalks and paths and 20 mph on roadways, require riders to yield to pedestrians, prohibit stunts and street takeovers, and establish parking standards. Violations are noncriminal civil infractions subject to citations and possible device impoundment. The ordinance also distinguishes e-bikes from electric motorcycles and applies helmet requirements to riders under 16.
Local Politics · Orange County
The Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office changed polling locations for three precincts ahead of the November 3 general election due to HVAC problems at original sites. Precinct 729 voters, numbering 3,092 with 1,814 yet to vote as of Oct. 28, will cast ballots at Church on the Drive, 1914 Edgewater Drive in Orlando, instead of Central Christian Church, 205 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. The county notified affected voters by mail, email, text, and voice message, and will post directional signs on Election Day. Voters can confirm their assigned polling place using the Find Your Polling Place tool at voteorangefl.gov.
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Community News · Orlando, FL
The Big 12 Conference fined UCF $100,000 after fans directed anti-religious chants at BYU during Saturday's football game at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium. Warnings were issued via scoreboard and public address throughout the game, and security removed individuals participating in the chants. The conference acknowledged UCF had pregame protocols in place and took immediate action; the fine will fund student education initiatives. UCF stated it would review its options. The Big 12 also announced a new conference-wide policy including escalating fines up to $500,000 and season-long bans for ejected individuals.
Local Politics · Orange County
Early voting for the 2026 General Election began Monday, Oct. 19 in most Central Florida counties, with some starting as late as Thursday, Oct. 22. The voter registration deadline was Oct. 5, and the mail-in ballot request deadline was Oct. 22. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Early voting periods extend through Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 depending on the county, with varying daily hours.
Social Events · Orlando, FL
The 11th annual Orlando Beer Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, at Lake Eola Park. The ticketed, dog-friendly event for adults 21 and older will feature hundreds of beers, ciders, seltzers, spirits, and THC-infused drinks from at least 27 confirmed brewers. Participating local breweries include Crooked Can, Tactical Brewing, Hyperbolic Brewing, Persimmon Hollow, Three Odd Guys Brewing, Wop's Hops, and Enchanted Brewing. The festival also includes food vendors, a beer pong area, and a game zone.
Social Events · Orlando, FL
The Banana Ball Open tournament will return to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World in Orlando from April 15-18, with all six teams attending and the top four competing in the venue's 9,500-seat stadium. This marks the second year Walt Disney World hosts the entertainment-first baseball league, which was founded by the Savannah Bananas. Fans can enter a ticket lottery at BananaBall.com before Oct. 31 for a chance to purchase tickets starting at $35. Additional Florida stops include Jacksonville in March, Tampa Bay and Pensacola in May, and Miami in September.
Local Politics · Orange County
The Winter Garden Observer is publishing candidate Q&As ahead of the November 3 general election in West and Southwest Orange County. Three candidates—James Pericola, Joe Strada, and Ralph Groves—are running to succeed U.S. Representative Daniel Webster in Florida’s 11th Congressional District. Candidate Joe Strada declined to respond to the publication's questions.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
The Orlando Museum of Art is hosting "Shadows in the Galleries," subtitled "A Night of Southern Gothic & Hauntings," at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 2416 N. Mills Ave. The adults-only event features a costume contest, themed drinks, light bites, a DJ, a photobooth, and a performance by Phantasmagoria in the galleries. Tickets range from $75 to $130.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
Will's Pub in Orlando's Mills 50 district hosts a two-night Halloween cover-band event on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, starting at 8 p.m. Performers include Psycho '78 doing a Misfits set, GG Ellin as a GG Allin tribute, M.A.C.E. performing Bauhaus songs as "Interlude With a Vampire Haus," and Control This! with a "Skalloween" set. Other tributes cover AFI, Alkaline Trio, and Jawbreaker. Tickets range from $13.95 to $27.90.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
The three-day Spooky Empire horror convention takes place Friday through Sunday, Oct. 30–Nov. 1, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando on International Drive. The event features celebrity guests including Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Juliette Lewis, and Bill "Leatherface" Johnson, along with panels, cosplay, film screenings, a Ripley's Believe It or Not pop-up exhibition, tattoo artists, vendors, and after-hours music performances by Wolf Face, Voltaire,…
