🌱 MCO Adds COVID-19 Testing Site + Orlando Rent Assistance Opens Once Again

Hey, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with a fresh issue of the Orlando Daily. Let's get this day started right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 77 Low: 60.

🏡 Are you a local real estate agent? Let us help you generate leads, build your brand in Orlando and stand apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. City of Orlando has $6.8 million ready to distribute to households financially impacted by COVID-19. To qualify, authorities say you need to be at 80% of median income or less and if you’re unemployed that’s a priority. Registration is already open online. (WFTV)

2. Orlando International Airport (MCO) has added a second COVID-19 testing site called COVID Testing LLC to meet demand. Walk-ups are accepted, but airport officials are encouraging appointments because demand for testing fills up appointments fast. (Spectrum News 13)

3. The Florida House's Regulatory Reform Subcommittee passed a weaker version of the Miya's Law bill unanimously last Thursday. It's named after Miya Marcano, a 19-year-old Valencia College student who was killed near Orlando's UCF in September 2021. The new version passed by the House committee only requires staff to give 24 hours' notice before entering apartments. It also requires mandatory national background checks for staff and obligates apartments to use key logs. (NSM Today)

4. Longtime downtown Orlando nightclub, Barbarella has announced that it will be leaving downtown for another location just minutes away by the end of February. No reason was given for the closure. (Bungalower)

5. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis condemned the recent pair of Nazi gatherings held around an Orlando shopping plaza and a highway overpass while speaking at a Palm Beach County news briefing Monday afternoon. The condemnation came a day after outcry from local leaders and a public battle between the press secretary of the Governor and elected officials over the rally. (Click Orlando)

From our sponsor:

Today's Orlando Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Today in Orlando:

• 12th Annual Table Extraordinaire at Holy Trinity Reception. (10:00 AM)
• Aquarian Music and Art Festival at Lake Eola Park. (3:00 PM)
• Alaska Farms Goat Yoga Classes. (6:00 PM)
• Pizza Night at Astro Skate Orlando. (6:30 PM)
• The Fantasticks at Orlando Shakes. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Light On The Sugar recently opened their second location in Winter Park. The family-owned bakery and coffee shop founded by Yixi Qui and his wife Wen Qui is known for their gourmet coffee, tea and pastries with an Asian twist. (Instagram)
• Artist Plinio Pinto is creating art for the Thornton Park neighborhood. He will be out there the next few days if you want to stop by. (Facebook)
• The Electronic Waste and Textile Recycling event has had a date change to February 19th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Orlando Festival Park. (Facebook)
• Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute was the presenter of last weekend’s UCF Men's Basketball game against the University of Houston. (Facebook)

Loving the Orlando Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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.