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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) says preliminary estimates suggest losses to the agriculture sector from the recent freeze could be more than $3 billion. State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said this winter was one of the most damaging freezes in history for Florida agriculture. Simpson also said he is partnering with the Trump administration to help the state’s farmers, ranchers and producers. “I want to thank President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for their unprecedented support for our nation’s food producers,” said Simpson. Members of Florida’s congressional delegation will also help the…
A few years ago, Jay Brown, owner of the award-winning Granny’s Southern Smokehouse in St. Cloud, looked around and realized something was missing in his community. It’s a celebration of Black History Month. So in 2024, he launched it himself and Roots & Rhythm Festival was born. It wasn’t popular with anyone. In fact, Brown said he’s lost several customers because of it. “They believed it wasn’t something we should be celebrating,” he says. “But I gained more customers than I lost.” Plus, it helps keep the party together. This year, St. Cloud Main Street has also stepped up with…
An animatronic version of Olaf, the carefree snowman from “Frozen,” will begin a new drawing experience this summer in the animation area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The reimagined and renamed theme park land will be known as Walt Disney Studios, and will also include the Magic of Disney Animation building, which will house the Animation Academy experience called “Olaf Droz.” A workstation inspired by an animator’s desk will be installed in this space, and an Olaf figure will also sit on a workstation on stage, just as he did when he appeared in the short film “Once Upon a Studio”…
Imagine carnival music in the air and the aroma of crispy fried funnel cakes wafting from the moving stalls, set against a backdrop of rides and games that promise prizes like oversized teddy bears. All of this sets the tone and experience for the 114th Central Florida Fair. The fair is packed with family-friendly festivities for 11 days until March 8th. Fair President and CEO Michael Tipton said the event offers a wide range of content for all demographics. Last year, the fair attracted more than 220,000 visitors over its 11-day period. Colorful rides were photographed during the 2025 Central…
GayDays Inc. will hold the festival this year at a new host hotel in Kissimmee, organizers announced. Earlier this month, the group announced that its June event had been suspended, but emails to supporters and updates on its official website indicate it will be held in 2026. Additionally, several new events have been added, including comedy shows and game shows. Current activities are scheduled for June 4-8 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando Southwest – Celebration Area on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. The entire 440-room resort has been booked by Gay Days, and all official events will be held…
The following season, Barkov further strengthened his relationship with Joe DiMaggio by launching the #BarkovScores4JoeD campaign. Since then, he has donated $1,600 to the hospital for every goal he registers and $800 for every assist, for a total of more than $550,000. We also provide suites for staff and patients for each Panthers home game. “This community has given (me) so much, and I’m so lucky to be able to play hockey for the Florida Panthers,” Berkoff said. “It’s such a great organization and community, so it felt great to be able to give something back. Every year we’ve made…
Looking back 10 years seems a little surreal, says Juliana Calloway. “It feels like two years ago and 20 years ago happened at the same time.” Running a small business is often a rough ride, but few can boast the roller-coaster experience that Black Rooster Taqueria has. Black Rooster Taqueria, helmed by Calloway and her husband John, opened a small shop in February 2016 at 1323 North Mills Avenue. Two years later, having solidified a local following, the humble restaurant was first featured in the New York Times’ travel series “36 Hours.” This was a huge success that helped raise…
Actor Robert Downey Jr. has been named the godfather of the Disney Adventure ship. Disney Adventure is the newest and largest ship in the cruise line’s fleet, with a capacity of 6,700 passengers. The 208,000 gross ton ship, Disney’s first global class ship, is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage from Singapore on March 10th. Downey is best known for playing Tony Stark and Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the highest-grossing film series of all time. “Our new ship continues Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of bringing great stories to life at sea, and we are honored that…
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A new approach to fighting hunger in the Tampa Bay area is focusing on something bigger than just food: overall health. Feeding Tampa Bay leaders announced their latest efforts Wednesday at the Health and Hunger Summit. The summit brought together hundreds of people to learn how nutrition can serve as a bridge to improved medical outcomes. “Food insecurity is a health crisis,” said Thomas Manz, president and CEO. “The neighborhoods we serve are struggling with health care. They are making very difficult choices between food and medicine.” The centerpiece of this effort is a new neighborhood…
In February 2025, Florida Congressman Byron Donald was sworn in as the state’s next governor with the support of President Trump. But a year later, many Florida Republican primary voters are still unsure whether Donald is the best choice to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis. A new poll by the University of North Florida’s (UNF) Public Opinion Research Institute found that 36% of Republicans are undecided about who they will elect for governor. Congressman Byron Donald is next with 28%, followed by Congressman Casey DeSantis (who is not campaigning) with 24%. Despite Casey DeSantis being an unannounced candidate, the UNF poll’s…