🌱 NYC Attacks 'Don't Say Gay' Bill In Orlando + E. Colonial Shootings

Happy Sunday, Orlando! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Sunny, pleasant and warmer. High: 80 Low: 56.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Sending a message to Florida's LGBTQ+ residents following the passage of the "Don't Say Gay" bill, New York City put up five billboards across the Sunshine State denouncing the controversial law and touting the city as a welcoming place for the gay community. New York City's new billboards went up in five major cities, including tourist hub Orlando, and will run for 8 weeks. (Florida Patch)

2. It's been seven months since 20-year-old Massania Malcolm and her 1-year-old daughter Jordania were found dead in a car off Lake Ellenor Drive. Investigators have been searching for 21-year-old Doujon Duwayne Griffiths, a suspect in their murders. Investigators hope someone will come forward with a tip about Griffith's whereabouts. (WESH)

3. Orange County deputies are investigating two shootings that happened within a few blocks of each other on Saturday morning. At 1 a.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call on St. Nicholas Avenue off East Colonial Drive in Christmas. While deputies were responding to the shooting on St. Nicholas, they received another 911 emergency call at the Circle K just a few blocks away on East Colonial Drive. (WFTV)

4. Outraged parents spoke Tuesday addressing the Osceola County School Board. Multiple parents read excerpts from books they said were found in school media centers and are demanding a ban on books they find distasteful for minors. The incident is one of many happening nationwide at school boards as literature is scrutinized. (Click Orlando)

5. A South Florida developer has purchased a prime piece of land in downtown Orlando with plans for a mixed-use project. The property at the corner of N. Orange Avenue and Livingston Street was purchased for $9.3 million in two separate transactions on April 5, county records show. (Subscription: Orlando Business Journal)

Today in Orlando:

• Local Makers Market at The House On Lang. (12:00 PM)
• Pup Paw-ty! at Pet Alliance Of Greater Orlando (1:00 PM)
• April Meeting at Orlando Area Science Fiction Society. (1:30 PM)
• The Booler Room V2 Orlando at Monkey Bar. (3:00 PM)
• Open House: Glenn Roth at Timucua Arts Foundation. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Orlando residents can order up to two free trees from the city of Orlando in honor of Earth Day, April 22.⁠ ⁠ 🌳 (Instagram)
• On April 25, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes back fiddle player Jeremy Kittel —performing his concerto “Stones River” and more in Steinmetz Hall. Get tickets today. (Facebook)
• Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., learn to fly with a professional flight simulator using realistic flight controls. Once you complete the class, you can reserve the simulator for 2-hour sessions. Call 407-835-7323 or visit ocls.info to register. (Instagram)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early 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.