🌱 Disney Cancels $1 Billion Florida Investment + Officer Convicted

Hello again, friends. Carlos Hernandez here with your fresh copy of the Orlando Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. In this issue, we'll touch on:

• Walt Disney Company is canceling plans to move over 2,000 workers to Florida and invest nearly $1 billion in the Florida economy amid a fierce battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• The Orlando Holocaust Museum is boosting security amid rising antisemitism.
• A former Orlando police officer has been convicted of battery and sentenced by a judge.

But first, today's weather: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 72.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Walt Disney Company announced on Thursday that the corporation is canceling plans to move over 2,000 workers to Florida at the cost of $1 billion to Florida's economy amid an intense battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. California Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the move and chastised DeSantis calling the decision "a victory for California, and the tens of thousands of Disney employees who know they can live in a state where they are respected and safe." (AP, CBS)
2. A former Orlando police officer previously called "officer of the year" has been found guilty of battery. The charges were originally for sexual battery after allegedly "touching the victim's genitals" and later changed to battery. Litigation against the officer cost taxpayers over $100,000. Jonathan Mills has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, 11 months of supervised probation, 50 hours of community service, and must now write a letter of apology to the victim. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel, Free: WESH)
3. Universal Orlando Resort announced they will celebrate 30 years of Jurassic Park at the theme park this upcoming June. The celebration will include a Jurassic Park Tribute Store, Jurassic-themed menu items, a movie screening at CityWalk, and more. New experiences are also planned. (Inside Universal)
4. Rising antisemitism in Central Florida has made the Orlando Holocaust Museum rethink plans for their new venue. The center plans to boost security amid increasing threats to the community and around the country. (WFTV)
5. Orlando has been named no. 1 in the state and no. 3 in the U.S.A. for coffee shops per capita among large cities, according to WalletHub. Orlando has 68 Starbucks locations and 50 Dunkin' locations, according to data from Google Maps. Orlando-based Foxtail Coffee has also recently opened its 50th location. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal, Free: CSP Daily News)

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Today in Orlando:

• Food And Art Festival at Downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market. (5 p.m.)
• Secret Wine Garden Rooftop & Culinary Tasting at Lake Nona Pixon. (7 p.m.)
• O Som Do Jazz at Timucua Arts Foundation. (7:30 p.m.)
• Cocktails And Comedy Open Mic at Bitters & Bottles. (7:30 p.m.)
• Wall Street Plaza Block Parties. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Central Florida Zoo shared: "We want to give a big shoutout to Courtney Friedman, the exceptional pre-veterinary medicine teacher at Sanford Middle. 🙌 Thanks to our ongoing partnership, Central Florida Zoo is thrilled to ignite the passion for the animal field in young minds." (Central Florida Zoo via Instagram)
• Orlando Fire Department shared: "Orlando firefighters battled a commercial structure fire Thursday morning on the 2600 block of Colonial Drive. Firefighters contained and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries reported." (Orlando Fire Department via Facebook)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer shared: "Hate has no place in Orlando and this disgusting display is not who we are as a community. To Orlando’s LGBTQ+ residents and visitors: you are respected and valued here. And we won't be deterred in our efforts to ensure that our city is inclusive for all." (Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via Facebook)
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts shared: "Get excited! The 2023 Applause Awards is coming to Walt Disney Theater on June 3. Get tickets now to see the best of Central Florida's high school theater students take the stage. bit.ly/3MbswvG." (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com