Local Politics · Orange County
At least 324,987 registered voters in Orange County have cast ballots for the 2026 midterm election, representing nearly 40 percent of registered voters and surpassing early turnout from the 2022 cycle. Registered Democrats make up 48.5 percent of those who voted early or by mail, compared to 26.6 percent Republicans and 25 percent No Party Affiliated or minor-party voters. Orange County voters will decide races including a U.S. Senate special election, the governor's race, a mayoral runoff between Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina, and four county commission seats. Early voting ended Sunday night; polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at designated polling locations only.
Crime · Orlando, FL
Thirteen foreign nationals from Brazil and Cuba were arrested by the Department of Justice for allegedly operating a fake immigration-legal services office called Legacy Imigra Solutions LLC in Orlando, Florida. Federal officials say Vagner Sorares De Almeida and his wife Juliana Colucci ran the agency from August 2023 to April 2026, providing false legal advice and falsified documents to undocumented immigrants seeking asylum claims and legal status. Seven employees of the agency were also arrested on charges including conspiracy to commit wire, visa, and marriage fraud, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release. Depending on the charge, sentences could range from six to 20 years in prison.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
The Afghan Whigs will perform at The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave., downtown Orlando, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, kicking off the North American leg of their Soft Control tour. The Cincinnati-based alternative rock band's 10th studio album, Soft Control, was released in August through Royal Cream/BMG. Minneapolis psychedelic-rock band Night Moves will open the show. Tickets are $30-$40 at thebeacham.com.
Community brief · Orlando, FL
Pizza Bruno will serve its last pizza at its College Park location in Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 7, after three and a half years of operation. Owner Bruno Zacchini cited personal issues, the expense of running a second location inside the Maitland Social, and rising delivery fees as reasons for the closure. Daniel Pacchioni, along with partners Yeosh Bendayan and Jon Ruhff, will take over the space to open Pacchioni's Cheesesteaks & Pizza in…
