🌱 Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs 6-Week Abortion Ban + 5th SoDo After Dark

Hello again, friends! It's Saturday in Orlando and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community, including updates on...

• Florida's Republican-led legislature has passed a 6-week abortion ban that will impact people across the state, including in Orlando.
• Se7en Bites is Orlando's Milk District is frustrated with parking congestion in the area.
• The 5th annual SoDo After Dark is coming April 22 to RockPit Brewing.

But first, today's weather: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 70.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Florida's Republican-led state government and Gov. Ron DeSantis have signed a 6-week abortion ban into law with limited exceptions. The bill was signed behind closed doors on Thursday night at around 11 p.m. It will impact people across the state including the Orlando area. (Florida Patch, ABC News)
2. Celebrity Drake Bell of "Drake and Josh" has re-appeared after being declared missing earlier this week. Daytona Beach Police Department reported Drake Bell missing and have not offered an explanation for the post. Bell tweeted jokingly, "You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?" (WESH)
3. Se7en Bites in Orlando's Milk District is taking action to protect its customer parking. The restaurant said they have spent $6,000 on fencing, signs and a towing company and also pay people to watch the parking lot. Paying guests are now limited to two-hour parking as well and the pushback online has been swift with bad reviews piling on the business. (Fox 35)
4. SoDo Main Street District will host the 5th annual SoDo After Dark event April 22 at RockPit Brewing. There will be multiple vendors providing beverages and live music from The Grateful Spread. Food will be served from Cecil’s BBQ, Royal T Tapas, Chill In Tacos, and more. (Bungalower)
5. A Central Florida man who fatally shot an Orange County middle school student in 2019 has been sentenced to 29 years in prison. The man was 16 years old at the time of the shooting. Both the juveniles were armed in the incident and attempting a gun sale at the time. (Click Orlando)

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Today in Orlando:

• Pensacola Kidney Walk at National Kidney Foundation Of Florida. (8 a.m.)
• WUCF Celebrates 10 Years In Central Florida. (9 a.m.)
• Sip Into Spring 2023 at Ivanhoe Village Main Street. (5 p.m.)
• Russian Ballet Presents: "Don Quixote" at Ritz Theater Sanford. (5 p.m.)
• Wine Wars — A Wine Competition at The Veranda At Thornton Park. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando Weekly shared: "🍕 New Mills 50 restaurant Pigzza has announced an opening date, and it's right around the corner! 🐷 Pigzza is the brainchild of Pig Floyd’s and will open their doors on Tuesday, April 18." (Orlando Weekly via Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department shared: "Congratulations to Officer Juan Pomales on his retirement from the Orlando Police Department after 20 years of service with City of Orlando. Officer Pomales has served in the East, West & Neighborhood Patrol Units along with the I-Drive Bikes Unit." (Orlando Police Department via Facebook)
• Orlando Police Department shared: "Congratulations to Detective Aaron Goss and Detective Justin Wilkins who received the Detective of the Month Award for the month of March." (Orlando Police Department via Facebook)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer shared: "Today we celebrated the opening of a new small business in our city. Shannon Ligon is already a successful entrepreneur as her Pretty Smart Law is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. She's expanding her brand, opening PrettySMART Studios, a creative studio and space, on East Church Street in downtown Orlando." (Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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