Skyler Swisher
@skylerswisher.bsky.social
Covering all things Florida Man for the Orlando Sentinel / “A free press, like a free life, is always in danger” / Story tips: sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
Powerful Flock cameras help solve crimes. Do they go too far?
Powerful Flock cameras help solve crimes. Do they go too far?
Across Central Florida, residents and politicians are questioning whether the high-tech cameras are violating privacy and creating security concerns.
orlandosentinel.com
Grand jury finds taxpayer dollars "misappropriated" to Hope Florida, complains "nobody will take responsibility," @jimdefede.bsky.social reports
Grand jury finds taxpayer dollars "misappropriated" to Hope Florida, complains "nobody will take responsibility"
A Florida grand jury found the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money for political purposes.
cbsnews.com
The student protesters were accused of violating a ban on "expressive activities" indoors after they stood up and unveiled "ICE OFF FIU" shirts at an on-campus event. FIU ordered the students to record two-minute videos reflecting on the policy and their conduct.
Federal judge says FIU violated First Amendment rights of anti-ICE student protesters
A federal judge ruled that Florida International University likely violated the First Amendment rights of students who staged a silent protest against the school’s collaboration with immigration autho...
orlandosentinel.com
"Aviles’ arrest comes as the Trump administration rolls back immigration protections for military families to pursue its mass deportation agenda, detaining at least dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. troops."
Florida father was waiting for his son to return from the USS Lincoln. Then Border Patrol arrested him.
When Luis Manuel Aviles, of Key West, was arrested by immigration authorities, his son was entering his ninth month on the USS Abraham Lincoln with the Navy.
orlandosentinel.com
Invasive lizards are moving into Central Florida. More may be on the way.
Invasive lizards are moving into Central Florida. More may be on the way.
Non-native lizards have been spotted in downtown Orlando, at Disney and at UCF’s campus, among other local spots.
orlandosentinel.com
"Among Perez’s clients over the past two years were CDR Maguire, a consulting firm owned by two Republican donors that has earned more than $120 million in new government contracts since 2024."
Filing reveals Fla. House Speaker’s private client list, including Airbnb, Newsmax
Perez, whom President Donald Trump recently nominated to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Brazil, disclosed earning $1.1 million from his private legal work over the past year. Federal ethics disc...
orlandosentinel.com
John Morgan's new political party will be named "The Common Ground Party." The Orlando attorney invited Americans to submit a name for the group and offered a $100,000 prize. The prize will be split among more than 250 people who submitted the winning name independently.
Florida economists project cities and counties to lose $12 billion under property tax plan
Florida economists project cities and counties to lose $12 billion under property tax plan
The plan faces growing opposition from pro-business conservative entities such as Florida TaxWatch, the Tax Foundation and the Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board.
orlandosentinel.com
"Prices have now risen faster than wages for several months, pressuring many Americans’ finances and causing consumers to take a decidedly dim view of the economy."
US households, businesses stung by higher energy prices that have pushed inflation above 4%
Prices have now risen faster than wages for several months.
sun-sentinel.com
The Society of Professional Journalists, the Orlando Sentinel and nine other Central Florida news outlets are calling on Orange County Public Schools to revise its media policy, which appears to require employees to obtain district approval before speaking with reporters.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings suspends race for governor after cancer diagnosis
Jerry Demings suspends race for governor after cancer diagnosis
Demings, 67, a Democrat was seeking to be Florida’s next governor.
orlandosentinel.com
Fla. Legislature sends property tax overhaul to voters after adding protections for schools
Fla. Legislature sends property tax overhaul to voters after adding protections for schools
School tax revenue would be protected from proposed exemptions.
orlandosentinel.com
“It is a complete takeover by the state government,” House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa said,
DeSantis’ property tax measure would strip power from local governments
It would become “government by permission slip,” said former GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes.
orlandosentinel.com
"Visit Florida reported an estimated 39.89 million people journeyed to the state between Jan. 1 and March 31, down 1% from the first quarter of 2025."
Fewer tourists visited Florida in first quarter of 2026
Florida attracted slightly fewer tourists in the first quarter than during the same period last year, data from the state’s tourism marketing agency released Tuesday show.
orlandosentinel.com
"CFO Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s fiscal watchdog, has tapped state agents to provide him transportation and security at big-ticket sporting events around the state, raising questions about why taxpayers are footing the bill for his private activities."
Floridians pay for CFO Ingoglia’s rides, security detail at sporting events
Blaise Ingoglia’s agency, the Florida Department of Financial Services, provided the security and rides for him and his entourage at UF and Dolphins football games, a Tampa Bay Lighting hockey game an...
orlandosentinel.com
Lake Eola swans to be moved elsewhere as Orlando 'pauses' program after flu outbreak
Lake Eola swans to be moved elsewhere as Orlando ‘pauses’ program after flu outbreak
Roughly 30 swans died in an avian flu outbreak earlier this year.
orlandosentinel.com
Federal and state officials consider closing Alligator Alcatraz
Federal and state officials consider closing Alligator Alcatraz
The Department of Homeland Security has concluded the detention center in the Everglades is too expensive to keep operating.
orlandosentinel.com
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed changes to Florida’s congressional districts take direct aim at Democratic U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Both have options to seek reelection, but none of them great. #Florida #politics gift link .... www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/04/27/d...
DeSantis’ congressional map eliminates Democratic districts, targets Moskowitz, Wasserman Schultz
Gov. DeSantis’ proposed changes to congressional districts take direct aim at South Florida’s two best-known Democratic lawmakers, U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
sun-sentinel.com
Democratic victory in Mar-a-Lago district: Ominous for Republicans, embarrassing for Trump
Democratic victory in Mar-a-Lago district: Ominous for Republicans, embarrassing for Trump
Emily Gregory’s special election victory gives Florida Democrats a dose of optimism. By defeating the Trump-endorsed Republican, she’s now the president’s state representative.
sun-sentinel.com
Global forecasting group sees U.S. inflation at 4.2% this year, much higher than Fed estimate
Global forecasting group sees U.S. inflation at 4.2% this year, much higher than Fed estimate
The forecast is a sharp step up from the prior projection of 2.8%. Moreover, it is much higher than the 2.7% Fed officials estimated.
cnbc.com
Sheriffs on Florida immigration enforcement board criticize federal mass deportation efforts
Sheriffs on Florida immigration enforcement board criticize federal mass deportation efforts
A group of sheriffs on a Florida immigration enforcement board sharply criticized the federal government’s mass deportation efforts, a stark departure from hardline policies in the state.
orlandosentinel.com
The measure restricts IDs Florida voters can use to identify themselves. Student IDs and retirement center IDs would no longer be valid; driver’s licenses, state ID cards, military ID and licenses to carry concealed weapons would still be accepted.
Florida Legislature passes citizen verification for voters, restricts IDs accepted at the polls
Republicans in the Florida House and Senate passed a measure to verify voters’ citizenship and restrict the kinds of IDs voters can use to identify themselves at the polls.
orlandosentinel.com
Layoffs in January were the highest to start a year since 2009, Challenger says
Layoffs in January were the highest to start a year since 2009, Challenger says
With the recent narrative centering on a no-hire, no-fire labor market, the data suggests that the layoff part of the equation could be stepping up.
cnb.cx
Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints football legend Urban Meyer to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees.
"A potential multi-billion-dollar development is in the early stages of planning on the prominent site of the Orlando Sentinel’s former headquarters, which Mayor Buddy Dyer said would be a catalyst for the downtown economy."
Developer eyes ‘catalytic’ development on former Orlando Sentinel downtown site
A Miami developer has big plans for 20 acres in downtown Orlando, and has signed on a renowned London-based architect to design a potential multi-billion dollar plan.
orlandosentinel.com
Florida health officials probe possible Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Orange County
Health officials probe possible Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Orange County
State health data shows Orange County has had 59 confirmed cases of Legionellosis in 2025, including 11 in the first three weeks of November. Two patients say clinicians informed them of an outbrea…
orlandosentinel.com
Paul Renner, a GOP candidate for gov and former FL House speaker, is calling on U.S. Reps. Cory Mills and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to resign. Mills is facing a House ethics investigation, while Cherfilus-McCormick was recently indicted on charges of stealing FEMA funds.
New this morning: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer endorses Bale Dalton, a Democrat vying to challenge U.S. Rep. Cory Mills. Dalton is a former NASA chief of staff and Navy veteran.
