/tags/central-florida Central Florida en-US SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ä± Mon, 04 May 2026 15:03:00 GMT /environment/2026-05-04/another-sloth-dies-at-central-florida-zoo-eleven-still-remain The zoo's veterinary team is keeping an extra-close eye on two of the remaining eleven animals recently transferred from a Sloth World warehouse in Orlando. Mon, 04 May 2026 15:03:00 GMT /environment/2026-05-04/another-sloth-dies-at-central-florida-zoo-eleven-still-remain Molly Duerig /food-and-agriculture/2026-04-10/the-countrys-only-loquat-festival-is-this-weekend-in-new-port-richey The loquat is a small fruit related to the pear, apple, and plum. While loquat festivals are prevalent in other parts of the world, the only one in the United States is in West Pasco County. It will be held this year on Saturday, April 11, at Sims Park. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:37:05 GMT /food-and-agriculture/2026-04-10/the-countrys-only-loquat-festival-is-this-weekend-in-new-port-richey Daylina Miller /science-technology/2026-04-08/fort-meade-is-one-step-closer-to-building-floridas-first-hysperscale-ai-data-center After hearing the concerns of environmental advocates, the city's planning commission approved the 20-year agreement with the developer, Stonebridge. The city commission will have final say on Tuesday. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:58:26 GMT /science-technology/2026-04-08/fort-meade-is-one-step-closer-to-building-floridas-first-hysperscale-ai-data-center Jessica Meszaros /2025-12-22/top-5-weather-events-in-florida-during-2025 Florida’s 2025 weather was relatively subdued, with no hurricane landfalls and roughly half the usual number of severe weather reports. Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:02:00 GMT /2025-12-22/top-5-weather-events-in-florida-during-2025 Andrew Wulfeck /environment/2023-09-28/hurricane-ian-central-florida-housing-recovery In June, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reported Hurricane Ian resulted in more than 700,000 insurance claims statewide. While some claims remain open, over 86% of them have been closed, and nearly 200,000 of them were closed without payment. Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:20:57 GMT /environment/2023-09-28/hurricane-ian-central-florida-housing-recovery Lillian Hernández Caraballo /environment/2023-09-18/sick-frogs-in-central-florida-worry-scientists A team of University of Central Florida scientists has identified a rise in sick frogs in the area and a resulting die-off. Mon, 18 Sep 2023 20:30:00 GMT /environment/2023-09-18/sick-frogs-in-central-florida-worry-scientists Danielle Prieur /government-politics/2023-09-07/orlando-suspended-attorney-desantis-florida Monique Worrell wants the Florida Supreme Court to overturn Gov. Ron DeSantis' decision to remove her from her role as an Orlando-area state attorney. She wants her job reinstated with back pay. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:19:27 GMT /government-politics/2023-09-07/orlando-suspended-attorney-desantis-florida Jim Saunders /health/2023-08-23/is-leprosy-endemic-in-central-florida-experts-argue-yes Researchers are scratching their heads over the number of leprosy cases in Central Florida, leaving some to believe it may be endemic to the area. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:00:00 GMT /health/2023-08-23/is-leprosy-endemic-in-central-florida-experts-argue-yes Joe Mario Pedersen /arts-culture/2023-08-17/florida-art-museum-sues-former-director-over-forged-basquiat-paintings-scheme A central Florida art museum that was raided last year by the FBI over an exhibit of what turned out to be forged Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings has sued its former executive director and others, claiming they were part of a scheme to profit from the sale of the fake artwork. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:00:00 GMT /arts-culture/2023-08-17/florida-art-museum-sues-former-director-over-forged-basquiat-paintings-scheme The Associated Press /government-politics/2023-08-09/desantis-orlando-osceola-prosecutor It’s the second time Gov. Ron DeSantis has removed a Democratic state attorney and follows an investigation that began when a teenager was charged with fatally shooting a television reporter and a 9-year-old girl. Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:32:20 GMT /government-politics/2023-08-09/desantis-orlando-osceola-prosecutor Associated Press