🌱Abortion Rights Protests Continue + Vero Beach Food Truck Explodes

Happy Monday, Orlando! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Orlando.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 90 Low: 70.

Are you a local business owner or marketer? We can help you effortlessly run effective ads that reach customers in Orlando. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. A food truck exploded during a seafood festival in Vero Beach on Saturday, sending one person to an Orlando hospital with severe burns, according to authorities. There were no other injuries and the festival continued as authorities secured the scene of the explosion, police said. (WFTV)

2. Universal Orlando has permanently closed Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Café, which had been in operation since 1998. It was a revamp of the park's Studio Stars restaurant. There are currently no details available about what will replace it. (Spectrum News 13)

3. A nationwide call to protect reproductive rights included protests from people in Central Florida on Saturday. Groups in Orlando, along with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani of Orlando, gathered in response to a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. (WESH)

4. Spoleto Italian Kitchen has signed on to be the newest vendor in the food hall at Marketplace at Avalon Park. According to a news release, "Spoleto will bring organic, non-GMO, farm-to-table cuisine in a fast-casual space at an amazing price in the Marketplace." (WFTV)

5. The Ocoee Police Department hosted its annual picnic on Saturday at Central Park in Ocoee. Families who attended enjoyed a Saturday morning out with good food, games, bounce houses and live music. (West Orange Times & Windermere Observer)

Today in Orlando:

• LGBTQ+ Community Resources and Career Info Fair at 26 Health. (10 a.m.)
• American Craft Beer Week in the Milk District. (11 a.m.)
• Connections and Cocktails - Orlando at Tin Roof. (5 p.m.)
• Bleachers at House Of Blues Orlando. (7 p.m.)
• An Evening of Indulgence at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A 69-year-old North Carolina man was killed Friday when another driver swerved into his car and it caught fire, according to the Leesburg Police Department. The crash occurred in the afternoon on U.S. Highway 27 at Tally Road. (Click Orlando)
• A new parkway will open today designed to alleviate traffic between Lake and Seminole counties, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. (Fox 35 Orlando)
• Hate incidents targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are on the rise across the nation and across Florida, according to data from several watchdog groups. (Click Orlando)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Satisfaction Delivery — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com