First look at planned I-95, U.S. 1 interchange redesign
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and FDOT provided a first look at what the redesigned interchange between I-95 and U.S 1 would look like in Ormond Beach. According to officials, the redesign will include three bridges and extended on-ramps and off-ramps. A one-mile section on U.S. 1 will also be expanded to 6 lanes. Gov. DeSantis said construction on the interchange will happen one year sooner than initially planned -- starting in 2027. He said that was 15-20 years ahead of the originally planned schedule.

Marion County firefighters avoid jail in firehouse hazing scandal
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Three former Marion County firefighters -- Seth Day, Edward Kenny, and Tate Trauthwein -- pleaded guilty to charges related to the hazing of another rookie firefighter. All three reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Under that plea agreement, all three former firefighters will avoid jail. They were also sentenced to a year of probation, community service, and behavior classes. Before accepting the deal, the judge asked the 19-year-old Kane Stewart, the victim, he was OK with the agreement. He said he was.  FOX 35 does not normally identify victims, but Kane Stewart talked two FOX 35 about the attack previously and was OK being identified.

A Florida man is facing several charges after allegedly carjacked a woman and then led authorities on a pursuit, before eventually being stopped and arrested. James Seth Yarn, 38, was arrested and booked into jail on several charges, including armed carjacking, kidnapping with a firearm, armed robbery, aggravated assault, among other charges.
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A Florida man is facing several charges after allegedly carjacked a woman and then led authorities on a pursuit, before eventually being stopped and arrested. James Seth Yawn, 38, was arrested by FHP and booked into the Seminole jail on several charges, including armed carjacking, kidnapping with a firearm, armed robbery, aggravated assault, among other charges.  Authorities said the carjacking happened on Aloma Avenue Wednesday night in Winter Park. Yawn then led authorities in pursuit on EB I-4 in Seminole County. FHP used a PIT maneuver to stop Yawn's vehicle near

Florida Gov. DeSantis talks I-95, US-1 interchange redesign
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference Thursday in Ormond Beach, where a groundbreaking was held for the I-95 interchanged at U.S. 1.  The project was moved up 15-20 years -- and is a year ahead of the accelerated schedule, he said. The new design will add 3 bridges and redesigned loop ramps, and extended the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp.  The goal is to increase traffic flow and relieve congestion.

'Surprised': Gov. Desantis talks Sloth World sloth deaths
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was "surprised" to learn about the numerous sloth deaths under the care of Sloth World Orlando.  "So this issue with this Sloth World in Orlando. Like honestly, it was really, really weird to me," he said. "I know FWC got involved and I think they're going to have to rectify whatever was the matter." He said he would like FWC handle the investigation. However, FWC has told FOX 35 that it is not investigating Sloth World nor issued any formal violations after some 50 sloths died under its care, according to FOX 35 reviews of FWC permits, records, and vet notes. Last week, 13 sloths were transferred to Central Florida Zoo for care. All showed signs of dehydration and other issues. Bandit, who was in the most critical condition since he arrived, died on April 29, 2026. 

Amusement park riders stuck 200-feet in the air
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People on the Supergirl Sky Flight at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio were abruptly stopped for several minutes, leaving riders suspended some 200 feet in the air. Maria Salazar was on the ride and shared video with Storyful of her view, showing all of the riders seated, hanging several feet in the air. “It was scary to have to wait up in the air, unable to move,” she said. A spokesperson for Six Flags told Storyful that the ride was stopped because an operator saw someone pull out their cell phone, which violated the park's safety policy. The ride was lowered and guests "safely exited," officials said. And the ride remained open for the rest of the dat.

Florida lawmakers call for criminal investigation into 'Sloth World' deaths
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Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani calls for the Attorney General's office to launch a criminal investigation into the Orlando attraction 'Sloth World' after it was reported that over 50 sloths died before the attraction opened. Eskamani called the situation a "failure of government." 

Palm Bay mayor has new plans for The Compound after 10 fires
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Palm Bay's mayor says developing The Compound, a 200-mile undeveloped area, could prevent the crime on the land. This comes after 10 brush fires occurred in two days. 

Winter Park armed carjacking leads to police chase on I-4
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A driver is in custody after Winter Park Police responded to a reported armed carjacking that turned into a 30-mile chase. The chase ended near mile marker 112, where the individual was taken into custody, police said.

Downtown Orlando considers street parking price hikes
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Orlando leaders are discussing increasing street parking prices. Rates could increase to $2 an hour for the first two hours, with rates increasing each hour. The proposed daily rate at a garage is $20. 

Police search for possible arson suspects after The Compound fires
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Concern is growing after 10 fires affect The Compound in Palm Bay in two days. Fire crews quickly put out the fires, but officials are suspicious about how the fires started. 

OCPS considers using vans to help with school pick up using vans to help with school pick up
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Orange County Public Schools discussed how using vans to help get kids to and from school could help with current budget constraints, and bus driver shortages. School bus drivers are required to have their commercial driver's license, while a van would not require that. The district has already cut positions and budgets to help with the financial issues. The proposal was discussed during the meeting.

Florida lawmakers approve proposed  Congressional map
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 A newly proposed Florida congressional redistricting map – led by Governor Ron DeSantis – was passed by the Florida House and Senate.  Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new redistricted congressional map for the state, FOX 35 reported on Monday, in which the GOP could gain four more seats. In a vote on Wednesday, April 29, the new congressional district map passed with an 83-28 vote in the Florida House and 21-17 vote in the Florida Senate. 

Florida barber fired arrows into competing business, deputies say
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The owner of a Florida barbershop is accused of using his crossbow to fire arrows into the business of a rival barbershop. Jorge Rivera Rodriguez was recently arrested and booked into jail under suspicion of shooting a missile into a dwelling and criminal mischief. According to court records, Rodriguez is accused of shooting arrows into the business twice in December 2025. Both times, arrows were recovered at the scene.  In January 2026, no objects were found, but there were reports of a loud sound followed by shattered glass. According to the arrest report, it's alleged that a barber who previously worked for Rodriguez left and went to work for the competing barber, creating some sort of animosity between Rodriguez and the business. Detectives said Rodriguez's distinct orange truck was spotted in several surveillance videos.

ICON Park's new teen policy: Will it work?
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 ICON Park said it has established a new chaperone policy after more than 1,000 kids swarmed the Orlando amusement park last weekend, ending in numerous fights and arrests. However, the policy is not in effect all the time and when it is, it may not be loudly announced, officials said. There may be a note on its website. Will it work? Under the new policy, when enforced, kids 17 and younger will have to have an adult (21+) with them at all times. And one adult can supervise no more than six kids at a time. Dezerland recently updated its chaperone policy requiring kids 17 and younger to be accompanied by an adult. At SeaWorld, guests 15 and younger must be supervised by an adult. At Disney, guests 14 and younger have to be supervised by a guest at least 14 or older. At Universal CityWalk, kids under 18 need to have adult supervision after 9 p.m. 

Walmart drone delivery: Is it coming to Orlando?
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Walmart has filed an application to build a "drone nest" in Seminole County, where it would house, charge, and repair some of its delivery drones. It was included on the agenda for the Seminole County Development Review Committee. Walmart did not attend the meeting, a county spokesperson told FOX35. However, Walmart announced its pilot drone delivery program in 2025 with initial launches planned for Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa. Start dates for the Orlando market have not been announced. A spokesperson for Walmart told FOX 35 that there are not additional details to announce yet. According to the release, the drone program, in partnership with Wing, would be able to conduct deliveries within 6 miles of a Walmart store.  Walmart said in its release that it plans to expand the service to 100 of its stores.

'Heartbroken': Rescued Sloth World sloth, Bandit, dies
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Bandit, one of 13 Sloth World Orlando sloths rescued from a warehouse in Orlando and taken to the Central Florida Zoo, died Wednesday, the zoo announced. "We are saddened to share that, despite our best efforts, Bandit, one of 13 sloths recently accepted into our care, passed today," the zoo said in a statement. Bandit was considered to be in the poorest health of all the sloths since he arrived last Friday, the zoo's team told FOX 35 News. He has signs of severe lethargy, dehydration, nutritional and electrolyte imbalances, and gastrointestinal issues. He had yet to climb up to his perch to hang, instead, remaining on the ground in his cage. Since then, the zoo's vet teams have provided him with food, fluids, blood monitoring, glucose and vitamin supplements, the zoo said. However, his health declined rapidly on Wednesday morning, leading the team to decide on human euthanasia, the zoo said.

New brush fire burns in 'The Compound'
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A new brush fire sparked Wednesday afternoon within "The Compound," a large amount of undeveloped land in Palm Bay. it comes a day after nine separate fires burned 160 acres within the same area. Officials now believe those fires were intentionally set and are working to launch an investigation.

SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket with communications satellite
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After unfavorable weather caused a delay, SpaceX on Wednesday launched its Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida's Space Coast. The rocket was carrying a ViaSat-3 communications satellite into orbit. 

Growing concerns over potential future teen takeovers in Orange County
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Though nine teens were arrested and two deputies were hurt following a teen takeover involving over 1,000 teens, Orange County officials are calling on parents to step in, rather than creating a youth curfew. In a similar situation in Daytona Beach, involving social media takeovers, a curfew helped the situation.