“We Can Do It…Finally”

Hundreds of Central Floridians, elected representatives, federal, state and local transit officials and the private sector turned out on Friday to celebrate SunRail's groundbreaking, at the future home of the Altamonte Springs station. Almost three decades in the making, inauguration of construction of Central Florida's first-ever 61-mile commuter rail system took the form of…

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COLUMNISTS
(Lucius Gantt)
A Wing and A Prayer »

| 24 January 2012

Back in Slavery Days, there were hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of brave Black men and women that resisted the exploitation, the abuse and the oppression of wicked slave masters.

(The Henry Project)
President Obama delivers Staunch State of the Union address »

| 25 January 2012

President Barack Obama delivered his third State of the Union address to a joint session on Congress Tuesday night. He talked of no more bailouts, hand outs or cop outs, urged Congress to pass the payroll tax cut and the Dream Act and ending tax subsidies for millionaires and billionaires.

(Jerry Waxman)
Occupy Orlando-Freedom Weekend »

| 28 January 2012

Freedom means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Webster’s Dictionary has numerous descriptions of the word being used in different contexts. Progressives just assume that the entire Bill of Rights is under attack by conservative politicians and judges including their freedom of choice

(Glen Ford)
Mass Black Incarceration Unlikely to End Anytime Soon »

| 4 January 2012

For the first time since 1972, the total number of people held in U.S. prisons has gone down. And, for the second year in a row, the number of persons under supervision – such as parole – by state departments of correction, decreased. Does this mean the beginning of the end of mass Black incarceration in the United States? Not hardly. That would require an historic reversal of a nationwide policy to find new places to put Black people who refused to stay “in their place,” in the wake of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements.

(Robert Reich)
The Bain of Capitalism »

| 16 January 2012

It’s one thing to criticize Mitt Romney for being a businessman with the wrong values. It’s quite another to accuse him and his former company, Bain Capital, of doing bad things.

(The Dating Queen)
Ask The Dating Queen: I Caught My Man In Bed With Another Man! »

| 17 January 2012

Yesterday, I came home on my lunch break and caught my man in bed with another man!

(employment ,Huffman)
Career Breakout: Artist Agora »

| 26 January 2012

Artist’s Square is dedicated to encouraging, assisting, and partnering with you as your journey blazes new trails. Together, with West Orlando News, we will give fellow artists the tools they need to succeed.

(Margaret Kimberley)
So Much More than Peeing on Dead Afghans »

| 19 January 2012

U.S. troops commit ceaseless atrocities against the peoples they have been sent to subdue and occupy. The victims include women, children, the elderly, the armed, the unarmed, those that run away from the Americans and those who reach out to the foreign soldiers. All categories of the occupied are killable. War and occupation is the root crime, from which all the atrocities flow.

(Sridhar "Sri" Rangaswamy)
Soil and Water Conservation in Florida »

| 20 January 2012

Florida has 62-Soil and Water Conservation Districts to assist in the state’s soil conservation. They were established in 1937, according to the Florida statutes.

(Headlines ,ProPublica)
Ex-Justice Official: Too Hard to Jail Wall Street Executives »

| 8 December 2011

Several years after the financial crisis that almost brought the U.S. to its knees and wreaked havoc on the lives of millions of Americans, there have still been no prosecutions of top executives at the major institutions that brought it about. Why? According to a now-departed Justice Department official who used to be in charge of investigating such matters, the Justice Department has decided that holding top Wall Street executives criminally accountable is too difficult a task.

(Alan Grayson)
The Dream, and the Reality »

| 17 January 2012

In America, whites have 20 times the wealth of African-Americans. So says census data. Not 20% more. Not twice as much. Twenty times as much. Specifically, the median household wealth for whites in 2009 was $113,149, and the median household wealth for African-Americans was $5,677.

(Book Reviews ,Gary S. Roen)
The Garner Files »

| 16 January 2012

Actor James Garner tells all in “The Garner Files.” Garner talks about his life in and out of the acting world.

Whats Happening

Deputies Search for Person of Interest in Vanguard Street Murder »

Deputies are searching for a person of interest who might be connected to a murder that took place off International Drive, early on Friday morning.…

Orlando Ballet Completes Trilogy with Battle of the Sexes III »

The Orlando Ballet is getting set to thrill audiences yet again with its performance of Battle of the Sexes III. The striking finish to this epic trilogy takes place…

Worst Mother Award: Woman Arrested for Egging On Teen Fight »

An Orlando mother who encouraged a fight between her teen daughter and another teen was arrested on Thursday, Orlando police say.…

Orlando & Orange County

UCF Green Lights Controversial Land Deal »

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday, to purchase 25 acres of land at the emerging Medical City in Lake Nona. The land will be purchased…

Draft Global Lounge Fights to Keep Liquor License »

Is Draft Global Beer Lounge & Grill in trouble? According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, the answer is…

OPD to Conduct DUI Operation Thursday Night »

The Orlando Police Department will conduct a DUI Operation tomorrow beginning, Thursday, January 26, at 8:00 p.m. and ending Friday morning, at 4:00 a.m.…

Business

Publix to Create Jobs with New Food Distribution Center »

On Monday, city commissioners approved an agreement which would allow Publix Supermarkets to construct a frozen food and produce distribution center in Orlando.…

Orlando Gas Prices On the Rise »

Gas prices in Orlando rose 3.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.45 per gallon yesterday. …

Local Happenings

Siplin to Host Redistricting Forum »

State Senator Gary Siplin will present the “2012 Redistricting Forum” on January 28th at Evans High School in Pine Hills.…

“Going to Eatonville” »

At a press conference Wednesday, Tom Kornegay, president of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E.C.) shared highlights of the 23rd Annual Zora Neale Hurston Outdoor Festival and formally…

State

Same Old, Same Old: House Panel Passes Redistricting Maps »

The House Redistricting Committee approved blueprints for Florida's political future Friday, but not before taking aim at a set of amendments offered by a coalition of voting-rights groups including the…

Gingrich Attacked, Florida Voters Get the Last Word »

Already losing ground in the last batch of Florida polls, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich came under fire from all sides and failed to land any major punches in…

employment

Career Breakout: Artist Agora »

Artist’s Square is dedicated to encouraging, assisting, and partnering with you as your journey blazes new trails. Together, with West Orlando News, we will give fellow artists the tools they…

Career Breakout: How Do I Get Work Experience? »

This often asked inquiry is usually penned by eager-eyed graduates throwing their brand new diplomas at places of employment, hoping it will stick. …

Career Breakout: Interview Preparation (Part Two of Two) »

You need to decide whether working for them is right for your future.…

WONO

FEATURED VIDEOS

Events

Cars for the Cure »

The American Lung Association presents their 8th annual auto show in Lake Mary/Heathrow on February 4 from 10am to 4pm at Colonial Town Park on State Road 46A.…

Black Women’s Roundtable Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Tour »

The Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation has confirmed actress, producer and businesswoman, Vivica A. Fox, to speak during their Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) 2012 Healthy, Wealthy and Wise National…

Siplin to Host Redistricting Forum »

State Senator Gary Siplin will present the “2012 Redistricting Forum” on January 28th at Evans High School in Pine Hills.…

Education

Liberty Middle named Runner-up with Crispy Slaw Wrap Recipe »

Liberty Middle School, one of many schools nationwide participating in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) “Recipes for Healthy Kids” competition, has been named a runner-up. …

Colonial HS Athlete Earns Top Gatorade Honor »

Junior Andres Arroyo has earned a distinction no other Colonial High School student has ever earned. On Monday, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, named Arroyo its 2011-12…

Oak Ridge High to Open First Leadership, Entrepreneurship Program »

Beginning in the school year 2012-2013, Oak Ridge High School will be home to the district’s first Leadership and Entrepreneurship Magnet Program.…

Economy

Thousands of Stores Likely to Close in 2012 »

Low consumer confidence and continued economic uncertainty are likely to bring about 5,000 store closings in 2012 , according to Michael S. Wiener, president and CEO of Excess Space Retail…

Obama Disappoints on Minimum Wage, Breaks Promise »

President Obama, back in 2008, prior to being inaugurated, pledged to raise the federal minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by the end of 2011, in an effort to fight…

Crazy But True

Deputies: Elderly Man’s Body Found Stuffed in Freezer »

Bay County deputies have arrested several people, after the body of an elderly man was found inside a freezer. 80-year-old Raymond Gsell's body was found inside a freezer at his…

Photos

  • Dyer Recognizes Long-Serving City Worker

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  • GOP Congressman says Michelle Obama has a Big Ass

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  • CIL Holds Stroll ‘N Roll

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  • Fifth Third Bank Employees Give Back to Community

    Read More

  • Fall Festival Downtown Orlando

    Read More

  • Youth 4 Change Students Celebrate New Fresh Product Initiative

    Read More

  • O,R&L Gives Back to the Community

    Read More

  • First Lady Leads Jumping Jacks to Help Break World Record

    Read More

  • Biden Honors Astronaut Mark Kelly

    Read More

  • Dead Michael Jackson Pictures Cause a Storm

    Read More

The Garner Files »

Actor James Garner tells all in “The Garner Files.” Garner talks about his life in and out of the acting world. …

January 16 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Group: Scott’s Plan to Slash Medicaid More, Shortsighted »

A health care advocacy group says Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to cut more than $400 million in general revenue from the state's health care budget is short-sighted because it would cost the state another $1.2 billion in federal money that would instead go to other states.…

January 12 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Orlando Writer’s Fest + One »

During last week’s Central Orlando Writer’s reading and signing event held at the Central Orlando library, one of the authors didn’t quite make it to print. As a result, I now formally introduce Judy.…

December 21 2011 / 1 Comment / Read More »

Tot Mom’s Jail Video to be Sealed »

The video showing Tot Mom Casey Anthony's reaction the day her child's remains were found will not be seen by the public. …

June 17 2009 / Comments Off / Read More »

Brazilian Visitors Boost Orlando Traffic, Economy »

Brazilian visitors to Orlando helped boost the local economy by some $280 million and assisted in stimulating international traffic at Orlando International Airport, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said. Named the "Floridian of the Year" for 2011 by Florida Trend Magazine, the robust Brazilian economy has made Florida the number one destination in the…

January 17 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Orlando Magic

Deja Blue: Magic Fall to Celtics, Again »

If the Boston Celtics meet up with the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference playoffs they should bench Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, seems to work for them.…

January 27 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Magic Moment »

This season hasn't been easy on Dwight Howard, with the trade talks and shots he's taken via the media for being "selfish."…

January 25 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Magic Jack’d »

The Orlando Magic felt as if they were in a nightmare Monday evening but unfortunately it was reality. Paul Pierce and former…

January 24 2012 / No Comment / Read More »
Howard Leads Magic to Victory Over Lakers » Magic and Lakers, At Last » Exhaustion Sets In, Spurs outlast Magic in Overtime, 85-83 »

Crime

Deputies Close Book on Nearly 3-Year-Old Murder Case »

After nearly three years, Orange County deputies arrested a man who they say shot and killed another man in March 2009.…

January 27 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

Worst Mother Award: Woman Arrested for Egging On Teen Fight »

An Orlando mother who encouraged a fight between her teen daughter and another teen was arrested on Thursday, Orlando police say.…

January 27 2012 / No Comment / Read More »
Deputies Hunt for Armed, Masked Credit Union Robbers » Man Attacks Teen Armed with Knife, Grabs Another » Cops Arrest Man for Exposing Himself in Thornton Park Area »

Deputies Search for Person of Interest in Vanguard Street Murder »

Deputies are searching for a person of interest who might be connected to a murder that took place off International Drive, early on Friday morning.…

January 27 2012 / No Comment / Read More »

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