Current El Niño could rival the strongest in history

Orlando City SC is hosting a free, festival-style World Cup watch party at Pointe Orlando from June 11 through July 19, featuring live viewings of all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, entertainment, food and player appearances.

According to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the sting resulted in more than 50 arrests — making it the largest operation of its kind in the county’s history.

In Orange County, authorities say Bryan Watts, a convicted felon, shot and killed his two young daughters, Tiana and Jaliyajh, before killing himself at their apartment last week. The killings happened one day after Watts was in court on charges accusing him of beating his girlfriend.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced on Wednesday the arrest of 15-year-old Isabelle Valdez, who is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material.

The Florida Supreme Court will not step into a lawsuit challenging the state’s newly drawn congressional districts, the court said Wednesday.

Jolly, 52, and Graham, 63, previously served together in the U.S. Congress. Graham represented Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, while Jolly represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican. He became a registered Democrat in April 2025.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed yet another batch of bills, adding to the list of over 130 laws approved so far this year.

State officials have revealed the latest data showing which parts of Florida were most affected by fatal car crashes in 2025.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved $90 million in grants for local law enforcement agencies for items related to enforcement of illegal immigration.

Windermere leaders are urging caution as Florida voters consider a proposal this November that could cut or eliminate property taxes.

The family of a Florida man claims he was paralyzed after being tasered by police and falling from a fence announced Tuesday that they plan to file a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Palm Bay and several police officers.

Florida lawmakers and conservation groups are pushing for sweeping sloth protection reforms following the collapse of Sloth World, an Orlando attraction tied to the deaths of at least 56 imported wild-caught sloths.

Southern Baptists elected a new leader who has decried a “decline and drift” within the denomination.

Leaving the patrol car behind, Trooper Steve hopped into one of the Sheriff’s Office’s marked golf carts, and he gave him a firsthand look at life in The Villages.

Florida’s native grocer Publix has rolled out a lineup of lemon-inspired treats for customers to enjoy — but only for a limited time.

USAA says it's giving Florida members a big round of financial relief — and the company points to some recent Florida laws as one reason the market is improving.

Top junior Miles Russell is headed to his first U.S. Open.

A rare earthquake with its epicenter off the coast of Cuba was felt more than 400 miles away in Central Florida.

While the quake cropped up near Cuba, the USGS says that some impacts were felt as far as the Sunshine State.

A report by Florida police has found that professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died of natural causes last year.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 65 miles from Mantua, Cuba.

Liftoff occurred at 6:13 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

An Emmy award-winning News 6 investigation into hundreds of traffic citations and toll bills suspiciously mailed to an Apopka family’s home has prompted the arrest of a convicted sex offender on fraud charges.

On Friday, Attorney General James Uthmeier said that the state is settling a federal case brought on by the NRA.

After sparking fears about a resurgence in Florida, the New World Screwworm has prompted an emergency rule in the Sunshine State, according to the FDACS.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ prostate cancer diagnosis is prompting renewed discussion about screening and early detection. An Orlando prostate cancer specialist says the mayor’s announcement could encourage more men, particularly African American men who face higher risks, to get screened.

As we move into hurricane season, we are beginning to watch a potential area of tropical development that could emerge in the Gulf by the middle of June.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a massive new elections bill into law this year — and it includes a change for driver’s licenses going forward.

Demings made history in 2018 when he became the first African American mayor of Orange County. He has led the county for eight years.

It's a common sight along many highways in the Sunshine State. But what does the law say?

City leaders in Ocoee are warning that a proposed amendment aimed at lowering property taxes for Florida homeowners could significantly reduce local government revenue and lead to difficult budget decisions affecting public services.

District 1 Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini is refusing to resign from his seat in order to run for U.S. House District 11, as required by Florida law. He’s suing the state in federal court, claiming it violates the United States Constitution. But if a federal judge doesn't rule in his favor soon, he may not have a choice.

Legoland Florida is packed with summer fun, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience, Peppa Pig's Pig Family Travel Adventure, a Fourth of July fireworks show, and the LEGO Festival.

FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament's 16 stadiums across North America.

Phở Bar in Orlando’s Mills 50 District is a must-try Vietnamese restaurant for phở lovers, serving a rich 24-hour beef broth, handmade noodles, and fan favorites like bánh bèo, Mama’s egg rolls, and crispy fish sauce wings—plus lomo saltado and orange honey iced tea.

Improvements are coming to one of Orange County’s most congested crossroads as leaders will be taking a closer look at FDOT’s design.

During the final week of May, another seven eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

The attorney general took aim at the HOA last month over a new rule he said violated residents' rights. On Wednesday, he announced that the group had finally agreed to stop enforcing that rule.

Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill dealing with property taxes in the state. But why did he do it?

Investigators are urging caution after a 15-year-old on an electric scooter ran a stop light and collided with a deputy’s patrol vehicle.

Try a beginner pottery wheel class at Super Awesome Cool Pottery in Central Florida. Make two bowls, glaze them, and pick them up after firing plus pottery painting, kids programs and Ferret Night.

They call themselves mad scientists. Many others call them crazy. Whichever you choose, it is a spot-on characterization of the Hurricane Hunters, a collection of scientists who fly directly into Mother Nature’s most ferocious storms. Behind the scenes, NOAA is experimenting with some new toys to bring hurricane hunting to the next generation, like specialized drones.

Tech giant Google is seeking government approval to release 32 million mosquitoes into Florida, according to CBS News.

Last year, over 100 license plate configurations were rejected by the state for obscenity, according to a new list obtained by News 6.

Florida-native grocer Publix announced on Tuesday that it is now offering a new brochure to help customers with their weight-loss journeys.

Town leaders in Eatonville are again weighing what comes next for one of the most high-profile and contentious pieces of land in the historic Black town: the former Hungerford Prep campus.

After a recent ‘teen takeover’ turned violent Florida, the state's attorney general is speaking out.

A Massachusetts woman was taken into custody after she got into a spat with an employee at a Disney restaurant last month, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Andrew Richard Lukehart was put to death Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison in Starke for the killing of his girlfriend’s five-month-old daughter in Jacksonville 30 years ago.

Orange County Public Schools leaders on Tuesday reflected on a year marked by school closures, staffing reductions and financial challenges, while warning that additional budget decisions could be necessary as student enrollment continues to decline.

A News 6 investigation found nearly 350,000 properties statewide face flood hazards but are not recognized as high risk in FEMA flood maps. The list includes Pine Hills, Poinciana, and Union Park — all areas FEMA does not currently classify as high risk.

New body-camera footage has been released after a truck drove through a toll booth onto a Volusia County beach, killing a toll worker in the process.

The Florida House and Senate passed a tweaked version of a major proposal to cut local property taxes on Tuesday. The bill increases the current $50,000 exemption on homestead property taxes to $150,000 for 2027, and to $250,000 in 2028. The exemption will not apply to school district taxes.

On Trooper Steve on Patrol, we’re diving into the do's and don’ts of red light cameras, how they work, and some of the common mistakes drivers make that could end up costing them.

The governor is expected to speak at 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort near Walt Disney World.

A look at how hurricane forecasting has dramatically improved thanks to better technology, AI, and new storm data collection tools.

You buy a home in Florida that you saw online. The site says estimated property taxes are around $4,000. But when you get your first property tax bill, the cost may be thousands of dollars more. Why? Because the sites don't factor in Florida's Save Our Homes benefit, which doesn't stay when the home is sold, according to Orange County's property appraiser.

The latest property tax special session is underway, and state lawmakers have already begun filing legislation to cut down on taxes statewide.

More than two years after a state arbitrator ordered a southeast Orange County homeowners association to hold a new five-seat board election, residents have been blocked from casting votes as the existing HOA board remains in power.

A 53-year-old Florida man has been executed for the murder of his girlfriend’s infant daughter in 1996.

The Seminole County Property Appraiser estimates that the governor’s property tax proposal would result in a reduction of $409 million in tax revenue for the county.

You may have heard we’re heading into an El Niño by the peak of hurricane season. You may also know that typically means a quieter season. But that doesn’t mean you should change your preparation approach this year. Idalia, Michael, Andrew. Some of the most devastating names in Florida hurricane history. All three had one thing in common. They formed during an El Niño season.

A toll attendant was killed Monday after a pickup truck crashed through a beach ramp toll booth and into the ocean in Daytona Beach Shores, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

Florida is accusing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, of harmful and deceptive practices in a first-in-the-nation lawsuit against the maker of ChatGPT. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the lawsuit on Monday.

If you’ve spent any amount of time driving, you’ve probably encountered thousands of stop signs. They’re so common that many of us stop thinking about them altogether.

Ann Patchett opened Parnassus Books in 2011 when physical bookstores seemed endangered.

Well over 100 new pieces of legislation have now been signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis so far this year.

As part of the latest special session, Florida state lawmakers OK'ed a new slate of tax rules that may affect residents across the state.

A rider on an electric dirt bike fled from officers at speeds exceeding 70 mph on a New Smyrna Beach sidewalk before abandoning the bike in a wooded area.

New concerns are emerging along Florida’s Space Coast following this week’s Blue Origin rocket explosion.

Prosecutors say Montalvo caused the October 2025 crash that killed three people and left the scene, while new court testimony detailed alleged post-crash repairs and the case’s earlier mistaken arrest.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is assessing damage to its Florida launch pad after a rocket exploded during a test firing.

The alert covers a specific zone bounded by Fortune Road to the north, Neptune Road to the south, La Terraza Lane to the east, and Heritage Key to the west.

News 6 has begun to gather images and videos after a Blue Origin rocket exploded on Thursday night.

A Blue Origin rocket has apparently exploded at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday night, according to footage online.

Residents in a Port Orange neighborhood are on high alert after surveillance cameras captured a suspicious man allegedly attempting to enter homes. Neighbors say the community is largely made up of elderly residents, raising concerns about safety as deputies continue searching for the suspect.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested a boy after he was caught on a security camera kicking a front door on in the English Estates neighborhood in Maitland.

Florida hosts the Gainesville baseball regional in the NCAA Tournament, including Miami, Rider and Troy.

Orlando Science Center’s all-new Dome opens June 1 with immersive 8K laser projection, 30,000 watts of sound and planetarium shows under a seamless screen.

The sheriff said that the man was arrested this week after his wife suspiciously died over four years ago. Now, he awaits extradition back to Virginia.

At 8:57 a.m., SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carried 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).

Body camera footage from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shows Katie Thomas laughing when a deputy pulled her over in February. The deputy claimed he saw her driving with a device in her right hand. Thomas showed him she had no right hand, but he remained skeptical.

A provision tucked into the state budget would direct the Department of Children and Families to competitively procure a vendor capable of using machine learning to analyze Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, eligibility determinations.

A new Florida bill focusing on taxation could potentially give relief to some mobile home park residents, according to lawmakers.

DeSantis revealed the major components of his new plan, including residency requirements and how the exemptions might be rolled out.

Federal prosecutors want to keep Titusville teen Anna Kepner's stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, in jail until his trial for her violent rape and killing on board a Carnival cruise ship. To convince the judge, attorneys detailed graphic evidence about Kepner's death in court Wednesday.

A 21-year-old man was arrested at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom after he was accused of using a cellphone to secretly record video under a woman’s skirt while she waited in line for a ride.

Two hundred miles away from where 16-year-old Tim Hudson walked into a federal courthouse, his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, would have graduated this month.

Video submitted by a News 6 viewer shows the monkey wandering through an open field not far from Wekiva Springs State Park.

Gatorland's new spot offers more than 25 options, including craft beers, ciders, seltzers, canned cocktails, wine on tap, and non-alcoholic beverages, with bar seating, picnic tables, and a to-go area — all with views of the park’s zipliners and rock climbers.

Lawmakers will stay in Tallahassee a little longer after Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session to pass a property tax amendment for the November ballot. The session is expected to start on Monday.

A home along Florida’s Gulf coast is raising eyebrows after the owner decided to have it lifted 24 feet into the air.

Florida state law allows for residents to keep a variety of strange animals as pets, though there are more than a few hoops to jump through, depending on what type of critter you want to take home.

Court records obtained by News 6 show that a circuit judge was caught having a sexual affair with a law enforcement officer in the judge's chambers — all within earshot of staff.

Florida’s newly drawn congressional districts will remain intact, a Tallahassee judge ruled Tuesday. Judge Joshua Hawkes of the Leon Circuit Court rejected the push from two voting rights organizations and a group of voters to strike down the map drawn up by an aide for Gov. Ron DeSantis and passed by the GOP-led Legislature.

The man accused of opening fire at Florida State University appeared before a judge in person for the first time on Tuesday, more than a year after investigators say the shooting left two people dead and six others injured.

The candidate made headlines earlier this year for yelling a racial slur at a 7-Eleven employee in a viral video, though prosecutors have decided not to file charges against him in a separate case that cropped up recently.

The Supreme Court has rejected Florida’s long shot attempt to sue California and Washington over the issuance of commercial driver licenses to truckers who don’t speak English and are not authorized to be in the United States.

After days of typical afternoon storms and summerlike heat, Central Florida is heading toward a much wetter and stormier pattern by the end of the week.