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Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Holiday Festival returns with more than 80 free live performances, Sunday movies, Thursday theme nights, and nightly snowfall. The downtown Orlando celebration runs Nov. 27-Dec. 31, with headliners including Maggie Rose, The Frontmen, Michael Cavanaugh, and Emmaline.
Free concerts, holiday movies and nightly snowfall return to Dr. Phillips Center
Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Holiday Festival returns with more than 80 FREE live performances, Sunday movies, Thursday theme nights, and nightly snowfall. The downtown Orlando celebration runs Nov. 27-Dec. 31, with headliners including Maggie Rose, The Frontmen, Michael Cavanaugh, and Emmaline. more
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The Florida Lottery is encouraging holiday shoppers to leave lottery tickets off children’s gift lists. Through the 2026 Gift Responsibly Campaign, the agency is joining a broader effort to raise awareness about youth gambling risks and promote responsible play.
Florida Lottery urges adults to gift responsibly
The Florida Lottery is encouraging holiday shoppers to leave lottery tickets off children’s gift lists. Through the 2026 Gift Responsibly Campaign, the agency is joining a broader effort to raise awareness about youth gambling risks and promote responsible play. more
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Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings has launched the county’s 16th annual toy drive, continuing an effort that has collected more than 110,000 toys and gifts since 2011. Donations will support children from infancy through their teenage years through local youth and family agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
Orange County launches 16th annual toy drive to brighten holidays for local families
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings has launched the county’s 16th annual toy drive, continuing an effort that has collected more than 110,000 toys and gifts since 2011. Donations will support children from infancy through their teenage years through local youth and family agencies, schools and nonprofit organizations. more
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The Foundation for OCPS has received a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to strengthen school-based food pantries and expand access to nutritious food. The funding will support students and families facing food insecurity throughout Orange County Public Schools.
Foundation for OCPS receives $400,000 to expand school food pantries
The Foundation for OCPS has received a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to strengthen school-based food pantries and expand access to nutritious food. The funding will support students and families facing food insecurity throughout Orange County Public Schools. more
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5 Wireless Chargers College Students Actually Need This Semester
Discover five Qi2 wireless chargers that help college students keep phones, watches and headphones powered up while saving valuable dorm room space. more
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Florida’s Department of Health is considering ending the school requirement for chickenpox vaccines. ArtistGNDphotography/E+ via Getty Images
Florida Department of Health considers dropping 4 school vaccine requirements – here’s what that could mean for kids
Florida health officials are considering removing four vaccination requirements for school and childcare entry. Epidemiologist Katrine L. Wallace explains the diseases these vaccines prevent and why declining vaccination rates could put more children at risk. more
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A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities.
Ready to work: Opening doors for people with developmental disabilities
A job can provide purpose, structure, and independence, but people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to employment. In this guest opinion, Quest Inc. President and CEO John Gill outlines how businesses, families, and community members can help create opportunities. more
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Orange County has adopted new rules governing e-bike and electric scooter speeds, parking, and safe operation. The ordinance requires riders to yield to pedestrians and allows citations and impoundment of devices for certain violations.
Orange County adopts speed limits and safety rules for e-bikes and scooters
Orange County has adopted new rules governing e-bike and electric scooter speeds, parking and safe operation. The ordinance requires riders to yield to pedestrians and allows citations and device impoundment for certain violations. more
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Halloween is an opportunity for children to explore the balance between excitement and fear.
Boo! How to pick scary books for kids that thrill but won’t haunt for life
A spooky story that delights one child may terrify another. From “Frog and Toad” to “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” literature professor Liz Rosenberg explores how adults can match Halloween books to a child’s readiness for fright. more
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What Can Delay a Divorce in Florida? Common Issues That Prolong the Process
Learn what can delay a Florida divorce, from residency requirements and financial disputes to parenting plans and failed mediation. more
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Apopka closes October with free drive-thru trick-or-treating, four development applications scheduled for review, and the Apopka Works for All Town Hall.
Halloween Highway, development reviews, and town hall highlight Apopka’s week ahead
Apopka closes October with free drive-thru trick-or-treating, four development applications scheduled for review, and the Apopka Works for All Town Hall. The Oct. 26-31 calendar also includes Camp Wewa’s Climb Club and a Halloween morning run benefiting The Gina McReynolds Foundation. more
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Children play at RCMA Bowling Green Daycare Center on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Bowling Green, Florida. Citrus and fruit were the founding industries of Bowling Green and Hardee County.
Amendment 3 could squeeze children’s programs despite school funding exemption
Florida’s public school districts are exempt from Amendment 3’s proposed property tax reduction, but programs supporting their students could still face substantial cuts. Children’s services leaders warn that reduced local revenue could mean fewer after-school opportunities, higher family fees and added pressure on school budgets. more
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After Frozen Dumplings, the Next K-Food: Meet Bugak, a Crunchy Traditional Korean Snack
  Discover bugak, a traditional Korean snack made with seaweed and a thin grain-based coating, and learn how Trader Joe's brings its crispy texture to K-food fans. more
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Florida Power & Light and the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are partnering to train first responders on battery energy storage systems. More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel have completed the program this year as FPL expands its use of battery storage across Florida.
FPL partnership provides Florida firefighters training on battery storage systems
Florida Power & Light and the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are partnering to train first responders on battery energy storage systems. More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel have completed the program this year as FPL expands its use of battery storage across Florida. more
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A survey from AAA found that 66% of Florida adults have seen children riding e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, while 83% support helmet requirements. AAA urges riders to wear properly fitted helmets certified for their devices' speed and capabilities.
AAA: Two-thirds of Florida adults have seen children ride e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets
A survey from AAA found that 66% of Florida adults have seen children riding e-bikes or e-scooters without helmets, while 83% support helmet requirements. AAA urges riders to wear properly fitted helmets certified for their devices' speed and capabilities. more
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Apopka scored four touchdowns across the second and third quarters to defeat Horizon 28-7 Friday night. Freshman quarterback Kai Goodling ran for one touchdown and threw for two more as the Blue Darters combined an explosive offense with multiple defensive takeaways.
Apopka pulls away from Horizon for 28-7 victory
Apopka scored four touchdowns across the second and third quarters to defeat Horizon 28-7 Friday night. Freshman quarterback Kai Goodling ran for one touchdown and threw for two more as the Blue Darters combined an explosive offense with multiple defensive takeaways. more
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Uri Poliavich, co-founder of the Yael Foundation
Strategic Educational Philanthropy of the Yael Foundation and the Role of Uri Poliavich
The mission and scale of the Yael Foundation, strategic support for schools, infrastructure investments and educational initiatives of Uri Poliavich more
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Apopka Night Out on 5th
Apopka Night Out brings first responders and families together on Fifth Street
Apopka families gathered on Fifth Street for an evening of activities and interaction with local first responders. The Apopka Police and Fire departments presented the event in partnership with Market on 5th. more
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More than 4,000 Florida children were hospitalized with firearm injuries from 2018 through 2024, with a small number of ZIP codes accounting for a disproportionate share of the cases. Orange County’s 32805 ZIP code recorded the state’s highest rate.
A child’s ZIP code can shape the risk of being shot in Florida
More than 4,000 Florida children were hospitalized with firearm injuries from 2018 through 2024, with a small number of ZIP codes accounting for a disproportionate share of the cases. Orange County’s 32805 ZIP code recorded the state’s highest rate. more
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Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements.
Federal SNAP cuts put free school meals at risk across Florida
Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements. more
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Ninety-six percent of Orange County Public Schools’ 91 Voluntary Prekindergarten sites were rated above expectations or excellent in the state’s latest accountability results. That exceeded the 88% achieved by public-school VPK programs statewide and in Florida’s other large urban districts.
OCPS VPK programs outperform the state in the latest ratings
Ninety-six percent of Orange County Public Schools’ 91 Voluntary Prekindergarten sites were rated above expectations or excellent in the state’s latest accountability results. That exceeded the 88% achieved by public-school VPK programs statewide and in Florida’s other large urban districts. more
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The free Frontyard Holiday Festival will transform Dr. Phillips Center’s outdoor spaces into a holiday destination from November 27 through December 31. Visitors can enjoy nightly snowfall, firepits, movies, live performances, seasonal refreshments, interactive attractions, and the return of North America’s only transportable carillon.
Dr. Phillips Center’s free holiday festival returns in November
The free Frontyard Holiday Festival will transform Dr. Phillips Center’s outdoor spaces into a holiday destination from November 27 through December 31. Visitors can enjoy nightly snowfall, firepits, movies, live performances, seasonal refreshments, interactive attractions, and the return of North America’s only transportable carillon. more
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Orange County Fire Rescue and Children’s Safety Village use realistic simulations to teach children how to prevent injuries and respond during emergencies. Lessons in the Fire Safety House help participants practice escaping smoke, checking doors, and following a safe evacuation plan.
Orange County program teaches children lifesaving fire safety skills
Orange County Fire Rescue and Children’s Safety Village use realistic simulations to teach children how to prevent injuries and respond during emergencies. Lessons in the Fire Safety House help participants practice escaping smoke, checking doors, and following a safe evacuation plan. more
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Back-to-school preparation extends beyond purchasing notebooks, backpacks and other classroom essentials. A UF/IFAS expert offers practical ways families can prepare healthy, affordable meals in minutes.
Beyond School Supplies: UF/IFAS expert shares healthy, affordable meal plans you can prepare in minutes
Back-to-school preparation extends beyond purchasing notebooks, backpacks and other classroom essentials. A UF/IFAS expert offers practical ways families can prepare healthy, affordable meals in minutes. more
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Orange County has awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant. The funding will help expand its Orlando Magic Dreamers wheelchair basketball program for athletes ages 5 to 18.
Orange County awards $15,000 grant to youth wheelchair basketball program
Orange County has awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant. The funding will help expand its Orlando Magic Dreamers wheelchair basketball program for athletes ages 5 to 18. more
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