Brevard County Mom Demands Answers From Police + Reedy Creek Battle

Happy Saturday Orlando! I hope your weekend is going well. I'm Carlos Hernandez back with another edition of the Orlando Daily. I have plenty to update you on today, including:

• The battle over Reedy Creek heating up once again between Disney and Governor DeSantis.
• A Central Florida mother demanding answers after police used a taser on her son.
• Winter Park Fish Co. has re-opened.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 72 Low: 53.

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Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. The Republican-led Florida Legislature is planing to follow a plan by Governor Ron DeSantis to remake the special taxing district, Reedy Creek, for Walt Disney World in the upcoming legislative session, according to a notice filed in Osceola County. Disney is the largest employer in the state of Florida. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings criticized the Republican plan in a statement as "reprehensive and baseless." (Click Orlando)
2. Central Florida Congressman-elect Maxwell Frost, a Democrat, lamented the chaos in Capitol Hill this week as California Rep. Kevin McCarthy struggled to be elected Speaker of the House by the Republican Congress. Congress could not focus on the priorites of the American people amid the chaos. McCarthy was finally appointed late Friday night to the role. (WESH, CNN)
3. A Brevard County mother wants answers as to why a taser was used by police on her son. Police claim the suspect was carrying a knife, but never recovered the alleged weapon. Teena Crawford recalled screaming at deputies for several minutes during the incident, "He has autism!" (Fox 35 Orlando)
4. Winter Park Fish Co. has re-opened for business at 761 Orange Avenue after closing in May 2021 during the middle of the pandemic. The restaurant shared in an online statement, "thrilled to welcome all our guests! With over 50 years of experience, the Thanos family’s focus is providing you with real quality freshly made American seafood. We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to guarantee the best and highest quality of all our ingredients. So let's start The New Year out right!" (Bungalower)
5. Four Corners, Florida, an area close to Orlando, has been named the lightning capital of the United States. Polk County has the highest lightning density locally with 147.3 strikes per square kilometer in the last year. (WFLA)

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Today in Orlando:

• Veganuary Festival at Persimmon Hollow Brewing. (noon)
• Krampus Con at Krush Brau Park. (noon)
• Cinco De January Brunch at Fixtion. (noon)
• Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort Universal Orlando. (6 p.m.)
• Milk District Comedy Saturdays at Barley & Vine Biergarten. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orange County Sheriff's Office shared: "Florida law requires you to move over a lane when you can safely do so for stopped law enforcement, tow truck drivers, utility service vehicles & other first responders on the side of the road." (Twitter)
• Orlando's first alcohol-free bar, The Bandbox, shared plans with the Orlando Business Journal for a potential future tasting lounge, coffee shop, cocktail classes, non-alcoholic beer, and more. The bar has only been around for five months and is the perfect stop during Dry January. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal)
• Plans are moving forward to build a SunRail stop near Universal that could help transform the Orlando area in the future, including a connection to Orlando International Airport. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— 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