🌱Nat'l Ice Cream Day Coming + Disney Firefighter Union Likes DeSantis

Good morning, everybody! It's Thursday in Orlando and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Let's do this.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 92 Low: 76.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Former President Reagan designated the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day back in 1984. Celebrate the occasion Sunday, July 17 with local ice creams in the Orlando area. Some options include The Greenery Creamery, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, Bacio and more. (Click Orlando)

2. Orlando Police responded to Orlando's Parramore neighborhood Wednesday morning after reports of a shooting. Officers were called to the area of Randall Street and Lee Avenue shortly before 5 a.m. An investigation is underway. (WFTV)

3. Residents in Orlando's Dr. Phillips neighborhood are fighting an effort to build a high-rise apartment development in their neighborhood. "We're not against development, we're just against this particular development because it does not fit the Dr. Phillips community," said Kurt Kotzin of Stop KIMCO. (Fox 35)

4. Jim Pugh has retired as Dr. Phillips Center chairman after two decades. Long-standing board members Ed Timberlake and Sibille Pritchard will become the new chair and vice chair for a two-year term. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal)

5. Disney World's Reedy Creek firefighter union has endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis for re-election despite the district's looming abolishment after a fight between Disney and Florida Republicans. The head of the union told the Orlando Sentinel that DeSantis "has been the most pro-first responder governor that I have seen in my entire 37 years in Florida." (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel, Free: Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• Orlando International Film Festival at Orange County Convention Center. (8:30 a.m.)
• Private Classes: Kizomba, Semba, Konpa & Tarraxinha at The Zebra Room. (5:30 p.m.)
• Milk District Comedy Thursdays at Barley & Vine Biergarten. (8 p.m.)
• UK Style Speed Dating In Orlando at The Twisted Handle. (8 p.m.)
• Cocktails & Karaoke at Elixir. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• SeaWorld Orlando is bringing back its "Beneath the Ice " haunted house for Howl-O-Scream this year. (Spectrum News 13)
• Executive Director Robert Bowden is ending his 29-year run with Harry P. Leu Gardens this month, according to the Orlando Business Journal. Bowden has worked in the role since 1994. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal, Free: Bungalower)
• The Zebra Coalition is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022 fall semester. The program aims to provide more access to LGBTQ students from ages 16 to 24. (Click Orlando)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next 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