Journalist

Stephen Hudak

Stephen Hudak writes about Orange County government and other weird things in Central Florida, like bears. He likes snow and Ohio State but wound up in the Sunshine State. He was a Pulitzer finalist for work on the FAMU hazing tragedy.

Commissioners said some of Visit Orlando's 30% share of every tourist-tax dollar could be better spent addressing more pressing county needs like the scarcity of affordable housing or funding other worthwhile projects.

Visit Orlando defends work, $100M budget but Orange County plans ‘haircut’

November 14, 2023 at 8:21 p.m.

Commissioners said some of Visit Orlando's 30% share of every tourist-tax dollar could be better spent addressing more pressing county needs like the scarcity of affordable housing or funding other...

Gregory Reed of Apopka, a father of four and a grandfather of two, was shot "multiple times" about 8:20 p.m. while in his vehicle outside the Circle K convenience store/gas station at Clarke and Silver Star roads, Ocoee police Lt. Mireya Iannuzzi said.

Ocoee police seek public’s help in deadly shooting of US Army veteran from Apopka

November 11, 2023 at 4:46 p.m.

Gregory Reed of Apopka, a father of four and a grandfather of two, was shot "multiple times" about 8:20 p.m. while in his vehicle outside the Circle K convenience store/gas...

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Orange County commissioners to examine Visit Orlando’s $100-million budget

November 10, 2023 at 6:01 p.m.

Visit Orlando, the publicly funded marketing agency that lures tourists to Central Florida, and its $100-million budget will be the focus of an Orange county commission discussion Tuesday amid competing requests...

Wounded Orlando veteran speeds through life in a bobsled

November 9, 2023 at 7:09 p.m.

Iraqi war veteran Will Castillo's unlikely journey from battlefield amputee to the reigning para-bobsled World Cup champion followed a path more harrowing than the twisty, fast, ice track on which...

This aerial view of the Orange County Convention Center was taken aboard the “Subway in the Sky” blimp, Tuesday, September 19, 2023, after launching from Orlando Executive Airport. The 180-foot airship, decked out as a giant sub sandwich, is based out of Smyrna, Tenn., and is on a national tour promoting the restaurant chain with stops in Kansas City, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

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Latest Orange County tourist-tax collections end five-month slide with modest gain

November 7, 2023 at 4:56 p.m.

September Orange County TDT collections rose less than 1% over September 2022 to $24.6 million for the month, but the modest gain capped a record fiscal year total of $359.3...

Local and state lawmakers renewed calls this week for an audit of the onePulse Foundation, demanding an accounting of public money the not-for-profit group received to build a memorial to victims of the LGBTQ nightclub massacre.

Local and state leaders in Orange County call for audit of onePulse Foundation

November 3, 2023 at 7:32 p.m.

Local and state lawmakers renewed calls this week for an audit of the onePulse Foundation, demanding an accounting of public money the not-for-profit group received to build a memorial to...

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Universal’s affordable housing project near I-Drive to bring 1,000 homes

November 1, 2023 at 6:41 p.m.

An affordable housing project, smack in the middle of the International Drive tourist corridor, less than two miles from Universal Orlando's next theme park, Epic Universe, moved forward Wednesday with...

Not counting interest, the bill would be over $700 million — including $400 million for the stadium and $256 million for Amway — and require the city to issue bonds that it would pay off with future revenue from the tourist development tax.

Orlando mayor lays out plan to spend more than $700M to improve city venues

October 31, 2023 at 8:55 p.m.

Not counting interest, the bill would be over $700 million — including $400 million for the stadium and $256 million for Amway — and require the city to issue bonds...