Summer-like pattern continues Mother’s Day Weekend

On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed yet another bill into law — though this one is expected to have a major impact.

An Orlando man was arrested during a trip to Hawaii as part of a fraud bust this week, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

A cyberattack is disrupting the online learning platform Canvas, affecting thousands of schools in Florida and around the world as students prepare for finals.

Step into Disney animation, then watch it take flight. Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life at Disney Springs mixes big feelings, big stunts and big magic.

Central Florida faces a risk for isolated severe storms, with damaging winds and hail possible. Highs in the lower 90s continue, with even hotter conditions expected for the weekend, according to News 6 meteorologist Michelle Morgan.

Researchers have revealed exactly what’s responsible for the vast majority of alligator attacks.

This week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed another batch of new bills, adding to the dozens of other state laws that have already been approved this year.

Publix is offering rare plants at select stores in Florida for a limited time this month, according to the Florida-native grocery chain.

In Mount Dora, the admiration for late journalist Mabel Norris Reese still runs deep.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” always was meant to be temporary.

Could “Alligator Alcatraz,” the makeshift facility for ICE detainees in the Florida Everglades, soon be shut down? According to a report in The New York Times, Florida officials and the Trump administration are discussing just that. DeSantis confirmed there had been talks.

Mess Fest is back at Orlando Science Center May 9–10, and I got a media preview of the messy, hands-on fun (including 3 experiments outside). Expect washable paint, physics demos, and big reactions—plus it’s included with general admission (members get in free).

For Mother's Day a longtime Walt Disney World cast member reflects on raising her two children alongside her career — and what it means now that both of them have joined the company she’s called home for decades.

Orlando and central Florida are set for another round of summer-like heat heading into the weekend, with forecast highs in the low to mid-90s and increased chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms.

A council meant to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency proposed Thursday a series of long-awaited changes to the disaster recovery body that stop short of the administration’s promises to dismantle it, but could reduce the number of disasters the federal government supports and the amount of money it doles out.

The upcoming El Niño could rival strongest in history

Kayla Burress of Ave Maria, Florida, thought someone was breaking into her home. She found something even scarier. Two alligators fighting on her back porch.

Of the dozens of new Florida laws passed so far this year, one stands out among the rest.

This week’s episode of Politically Motivated breaks down the growing legal battle against Gov. Ron DeSantis and his newly approved congressional maps, which critics argue tilt heavily in favor of Republicans.

One of the country’s largest rock music festivals kicks off Thursday in Daytona Beach, bringing more than 160 bands, hundreds of thousands of fans — and potentially record-breaking heat.

Florida will soon become the first state in the nation to require heart screenings for students playing a high school sport for the first time under a new law taking effect July 1.

Joined by Orange County commissioners and sloth conservation experts who traveled from Costa Rica, Eskamani spoke outside the shuttered Sloth World facility on International Drive.

Some out-of-state visitors should keep in mind that not all licenses are valid in the Sunshine State.

The Florida-native grocer Publix may have just quietly reversed its prior policy allowing open carry in Florida stores, News 6 learned on Tuesday.

Brightline Trains Florida brought in more money in its latest audit, reporting $214 million in revenue in 2025, up from $188 million in 2024. Most of that total — nearly $199 million — came from ticket sales and other passenger purchases.

A Central Florida man was captured out of state this week in a massive child porn case, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Newly obtained records by Orange County Community Correspondent, Jayna Manohalal, show another 21 sloths died while under the care of Sloth World, bringing the total number of known sloth deaths connected to the facility to 55.

Duke Energy customers will get a refund on their bills after the utility collected more than needed for storm restoration costs. The state approved a $90.5 million refund. It means each residential customer will get around $5.62 a month back.

If you've washed your car lately or taken a stroll around the neighborhood, you may have noticed the return of Florida's pesky visitor.

Florida is now facing three lawsuits over its congressional redistricting map, with all of them claiming the new map violates Florida's Fair Districts Amendment.

Another sloth has passed away after dozens of others died ahead of the opening of Sloth World in Orlando.

With America’s population aging, it makes sense that the industry expected to see the most growth in the next decade is the home health care industry. But this industry, which will add almost three-quarters of a million new jobs, barely pays $35,000 a year. And in Florida, the need is particularly urgent, advocates say.

An Orange County woman accused of helping run a multimillion-dollar immigration scam is expected to appear in court for a hearing on Tuesday.

A viral TikTok proposal is pushing to nationalize the defunct airline, though a certain Florida political candidate wants to take it a step further.

This year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have passed a law designating a new “Trump Highway” in the Sunshine State.

A viral TikTok proposal is pushing to nationalize the defunct airline, though a certain Florida political candidate wants to take it a step further.

While the Florida-native grocer still placed high, it was taken down a few notches in the most recent ranking.

In Edgewater on Monday night, city leaders discussed everything from what to do about an uptick in feral hogs and addressing what critics like to call “toilet to tap.”

Florida’s new congressional map is now official. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on X.com that he signed the redistricting bill lawmakers passed last week with a simple post showing the map, with the words “Signed, Sealed, and Delivered.” A few hours later, the first lawsuit was announced.

A second sloth has died after being taken to a central Florida zoo for rehabilitation.

Another sloth has passed away after dozens of others died ahead of the opening of Sloth World in Orlando.

A recent study shows that two destructive termites are spreading much farther throughout the state than experts initially predicted.

Florida’s ever-popular grocery chain has plenty of interesting features, though one location in particular has an odd sight in store for visitors.

Edgewater residents say feral hogs are destroying lawns and property, prompting city leaders to hold a public meeting on resources and next steps.

The first of 1,500 beagles being removed from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research business are adjusting to their new lives as animal welfare groups move them to shelters to prepare them for adoption.

Cooler air moving into Central Florida to end weekend

On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two more laws, which are expected to impact teachers and unions across the state.

Deltona High School is now the first school in the nation to test a drone system designed to respond to emergencies — including active shooter situations — directly on campus.

The new 120-foot vessel will bring the total fleet from three to four, with a projected launch in 2027.

Florida prosecutors are looking into whether criminal charges are possible after dozens of sloths died ahead of the opening of Sloth World in Orlando. On Friday, Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to a call for a criminal investigation from State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

Florida prosecutors are looking into whether criminal charges are possible after dozens of sloths died ahead of the opening of Sloth World in Orlando. On Friday, Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to a call for a criminal investigation from State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

With the current standings against the Detroit Pistons in favor of the Magic, fans say they’re feeling pretty good about this game.

This month, Walmart announced plans to remodel nearly 60 stores across the Sunshine State as part of an ongoing modernization initiative, according to the company.

Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress may have a celebrity-chef name, but the experience goes deeper — a Florida-inspired menu that blends coastal staples with the cultures that shape the state, plus a commitment to sourcing locally and supporting Florida vendors. Here’s what stood out on my visit, from the tuna tostada “science” to the black lime swordfish, along with details on upcoming Blaise Days and a special Mother’s Day brunch.

Florida’s governor visited Volusia County on Thursday to announce a major upgrade to a long-awaited interchange project — and revealed construction will begin years ahead of schedule.

Federal authorities are investigating the death of a truck driver whose body was discovered in Georgia after he was last seen alive at a Florida rest stop.

The Florida Supreme Court is demanding that DNA tested in the James Duckett murder case must be subjected to a statistical analysis, overturning a lower court’s ruling in the case.

We’re keeping it simple — but don’t let that fool you. Sometimes it’s the smallest things behind the wheel that matter the most. From seatbelts to sticker placement, a quick refresher that could save you more than just a ticket.

James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, was executed by way of three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. Hitchcock was initially sentenced to death in 1977 after being convicted of first-degree murder in the July 31, 1976, killing of Cynthia Driggers.

The governor will speak at 10 a.m. at Destination Daytona and will be joined by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved another batch of four new laws this week, one of which has already taken effect.

The rescues over the weekend were the third and fourth reported in Lake County this month.

A rescued sloth’s death is prompting renewed scrutiny of an Orlando attraction, as a state lawmaker calls for a state and federal investigation into animal deaths, alleged mismanagement and potential legal violations.

With Florida’s new redrawn congressional map passed, two major questions are driving the conversation: why should voters care — and is what’s happening even legal?

Republicans have scored another victory in the nationwide redistricting battle.

The Florida House and Senate passed a bill to redraw congressional district lines on Wednesday, with potentially big implications for the November election.

When there's construction ahead and traffic is merging, there's actually a technique Florida drivers are supposed to use.

Alligator mating season is now underway in Florida, posing a threat to residents in the state.

A 50-year-old Altamonte Springs woman faces a criminal mischief charge after police say she defaced a neighbor’s vehicle with human feces.

Two key priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis that failed to advance in the regular legislative session were discarded as the House opened a special session on Tuesday. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said the House remains “fairly clear on our position” against the proposals to expand vaccine exemptions for public K-12 students and to protect consumers’ interactions with artificial intelligence.

Nearly three months after a fire burned a large number of creosote-soaked railroad ties from a property near Dunnellon, CSX has removed the rest of the railroad ties.

Florida House Speaker and Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner sat down with News 6’s Lauren Melendez during a recent stop in Orlando to talk about artificial intelligence. We talked to him about six issues, ranging from AI to property taxes.

In a series of man-on-the-street style interviews, voters were asked a simple question: " Who is running for governor?" while being shown printouts of each candidate’s headquarters.

Florida lawmakers are back at work in Tallahassee to pass a map favored by Gov. Ron DeSantis to redraw Florida’s Congressional districts. The session was also supposed to address DeSantis’ AI Bill of Rights and an expansion on vaccine exemptions, but House Speaker Daniel Perez said no bills were filed on those issues.

The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:13 a.m. The ViaSat-3 F3 mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Temperatures are climbing quickly through the week before rain chances jump heading into the weekend.

An alligator attacked a cow Monday at the Pine Meadows Conservation Area in Lake County. According to county officials, the gator attempted to pull the cow into the water.

An attorney who represented three of his neighbors in an unsuccessful lawsuit against their homeowner’s association has been locked up in jail for nearly two months after a judge found him in contempt of court, News 6 has learned.

A lack of space in state-run mental health facilities and growing waitlists point to a system balancing legal standards, medical opinions, and limited resources—often under intense pressure.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office submitted a new congressional map to the Legislature on Monday that would drastically alter several U.S. House districts in Central and South Florida. The new map, if approved by lawmakers in a special session that starts Tuesday, could flip a handful of districts from Democrats to Republicans, helping the GOP retain control of the U.S. House in November.

Nearly 10 months after Florida’s “Super Speeder” law took effect, court records reviewed by News 6 show outcomes for accused drivers have ranged from additional jail time and fines to at least one jury acquittal.

Afternoon highs are expected to stay in the 90s

One of two large wildfires in southeastern Georgia continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles.

Disease and cold temperatures killed nearly 30 sloths at a Florida import warehouse in 2024 and 2025, according to a state report.

Patchy dense fog is likely early Sunday morning, followed by increasing chances for rain as the day goes on.

This week, several Publix associates were seen laboring near the coast of Central Florida.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody made it official Thursday, paying the qualifying fee to run for the federal office she was appointed to last year.

Candidate qualifying for the U.S. Senate race is over in Florida and the field is set for the Democratic and Republican primaries in August. On Friday, News 6 sat down with Democrat Alex Vindman to talk about the cost of living, immigration policy, and more.

In a story published April 24, 2026, about Bangladeshi students at the University of South Florida who were reported missing earlier this month, The Associated Press erroneously reported that one of the students, Nahida Bristy, lived on campus.

Officials say a volunteer firefighter has died battling a wildfire in Florida, while two large fires in Georgia have destroyed more than 120 homes.

The Palm Beach Zoo in Florida has two reasons to celebrate.

Earlier this month, News 6 reported that the defense attorney representing two people who were arrested for covering the crosswalk outside Pulse in chalk has yet to learn whether his clients will face formal charges.

On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added nine more laws to the count.

Publix announced that a new limited-edition pie will come to stores next month after the Florida-native grocer took victory at a recent Orlando competition.

More than one month after ending the regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders said Thursday they have a deal on top-line spending levels and plans for a May special session to pass the bill that funds the Florida government.

President Donald Trump says he is weighing a taxpayer takeover of Spirit Airlines and would aim to resell the troubled carrier after oil prices drop.

The Florida Scrub-Jay is a blue-and-gray songbird and the only bird species found exclusively in Florida. That “only in Florida” detail is what makes it so special—and also what makes it vulnerable. If their habitat disappears here, they don’t have a backup plan somewhere else.

A big warm-up could be on the way for Central Florida as we head into the first weekend of May, as models hint at temperatures climbing to the hottest levels we’ve seen since late September 2025.

Fallen trees and limbs scattered across Georgia by Hurricane Helene more than a year ago are now helping fuel destructive wildfires in the state.