'Union-busting' bill heads to DeSantis | 7 Orange schools closing | Maxwell on Florida Legislature | Pictures: Pulse sign removed | Restaurant inspections | UCF advances in OT

'Union-busting' bill heads to DeSantis | 7 Orange schools closing | Maxwell on Florida Legislature | Pictures: Pulse sign removed | Restaurant inspections | UCF advances in OT

 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Orlando Morning Report Thursday, March 12, 2026

Stay informed — sign up for these newsletters Evening Update WEEKDAYS Stay up to date on the most important Central Florida news and information of the day. Sign up 'Union-busting' bill heads to DeSantis | 7 Orange schools closing | Maxwell on Florida Legislature | Pictures: Pulse sign removed | Restaurant inspections | UCF advances in OT Good morning. It's Thursday, March 12, 2026. The weather forecast calls for rain with a high of 85 and a low of 61. Click here for more weather. Florida Legislature sends 'union busting' bill to DeSantis' desk The bill will likely make it harder for unions representing teachers, college faculty as well as nurses, utility and sanitation workers to meet thresholds in required recertification votes. Read more → Orange school board votes to close 7 schools The students at the seven schools, all with low enrollment, will be assigned to attend nearby schools for the coming school year. Read more → Maxwell: Overtime and underperforming, Florida Legislature lets record-hiding continue Once again, the Florida Legislature, distracted by sideshows, failed to pass a budget on time. They also appear poised to let an important public-records bill die. Read more → Pictures: Pulse sign removed ahead of site demolition Workers begin the process of taking down the Pulse nightclub sign in preparation for the construction of the Pulse memorial. Read more → Health inspections lead to 3 Central Florida restaurant shutdowns The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shut down three Central Florida restaurants for health code violations during the week from March 1-7. Read more → UCF rallies to top Cincinnati in overtime to advance in Big 12 tourney The Knights used a late 8-0 rally in the final 2 minutes of regulation to send it to overtime as Jamichael Stillwell scored a team-high 17 points. Read more → Republicans deliver bill to kill DEI in cities, counties to DeSantis Opponents said the bill, if it becomes law, would prevent local governments from supporting events their residents want. Read more → NASA audit raises concerns about astronaut safety on SpaceX, Blue Origin's moon landers Astronaut safety and delays were top concerns in a new audit of NASA's plans to use either SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar landers on future Artemis missions, although costs have remained on target so far. Read more → Coach Oscar Pareja leaves Orlando City after six seasons in mutual decision Orlando City has announced that it has mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Oscar Pareja, who took the club to six straight postseason appearances, including winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2022. Read more → Dr. Phillips Center goes for big-name Broadway with 3 events Jason Robert Brown, a touring concert version of "Rent" and Jodi Benson starring in "Into the Woods" are all ahead at Dr. Phillips Center. Read more → Feeling lucky? Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Orlando with drinks, food and special events Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Orlando at more than two dozen venues carrying drink specials, food and Irish-themed merriment. Read more →

Copyright © 2026 Orlando Sentinel P. O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802 Unsubscribe