New Gambling Deal + Orlando Rail Expansion + Fly-Away Wig

Good morning! Welcome to our new Patch newsletter serving the Orlando area. My name is Carlos Hernandez, also known as Carlos Eats for my food writing, and I’ll be keeping you updated on the latest news on what is happening around town each morning. Grab your coffee and let’s get started.

In this edition, you’ll find out about movements in gambling and sports betting, theme parks, new hotels, the rent situation for local businesses getting out of the pandemic, as well as exciting news for transit rail development in the Orlando region.

Today's weather: The high today is 83 and the low is 68 with partly cloudy skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Orlando:

1. The Florida Legislature has approved a gambling deal that includes sports betting and new casinos for the Seminole Tribe and sent the bill to Florida Governor DeSantis for signature in a 97 to 17 vote in the Florida House. The bill has faced opposition from a group called No Casinos, who say it violates a voter passed constitutional amendment, but ultimately it has prevailed. (Spectrum News 13)

2. The Brightline Orlando rail expansion is now at 55% completion. The project will create around 2,000 jobs and have a $6.4 billion direct economic impact to the area. A press conference was held with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer who cheered on the project. (WMFE)

3. SeaWorld’s new CEO, Marc Swanson, is planning new hotels for their theme parks in Central Florida including Orlando and Tampa as expansion talks begin. SeaWorld operates a dozen theme parks, but does not have themed hotels like competitors Disney, Universal, and Legoland. (Orlando Sentinel)

4. A woman lost her wig on the new Jurassic World “VelociCoaster'' ride at Universal Orlando Resort. The ride moves at up to 70 miles per hour in 2.4 seconds and “propels riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop”. (Fox 35 Orlando)

5. According to a new study, one-third of Florida’s small businesses cannot afford to pay their rent. Businesses blame supply chain problems and growing inflation. The number rises to 53% for Florida restaurant owners, however retail seems to be improving. (Orlando Business Journal)

Today in Orlando:

• UCF Baseball vs Houston located at John Euliano Park inside UCF Baseball Complex. (2 p.m.)
• Running for Courage 5K at Harbor Park, Harbor House of Central Florida’s first ever 5K event, proceeds go to Harbor House’s child care program, which serves hundreds of child survivors of domestic violence annually. (6:30 p.m.)
• 50 Years of Wildlife Conservation History with Orange Audubon Society, a brief history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the importance of archiving history. (7 p.m.)
• Foreigner at Frontyard Festival, part of a six months of socially distant, live outdoor entertainment and unique experiences. (7:30 p.m.)
• Reggae on the Rooftop at Celine Orlando is throwing a party under the stars in Downtown Orlando. (10 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• Did you get your hurricane supplies yet? The National Weather Center is tracking a possible weather system in the Atlantic (no plans for it to come this way at this time).
• There’s a new art installation in Downtown Orlando for visitors and residents to enjoy and it commemorates the Orlando Downtown Development Board’s 50th anniversary.
• Jobs: The U.S. Postal Service is looking to hire 310 City Carrier Assistants around Central Florida and pay starts at $17.29 plus benefits.

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That’s all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: carloseats@gmail.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.