🌱 Orlando Tourism Declines In April + Veteran Shooting 2nd Arrest

Hey, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town, including updates on:

• Orlando Police have made a second arrest in a fatal shooting that killed a veteran.
• Nurses at HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford rallied on Tuesday with the National Nurses United labor union for better staffing ratios for nurses.
• Tourism fell in April from a year earlier with the Mayor Jerry Demings blaming Florida's political climate.

But first, today's weather: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 94 Low: 77.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Central Florida registered nurses at HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford joined a national day of action on Tuesday. The rally was heled with the National Nurses United labor union. The nurses want staffing levels addressed and Congress to establish nurse-to-patient ratio standards, similar to California. (Orlando Weekly)
2. Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams told a sold-out crowd in Orlando on Tuesday to "challenge corruption" after a recent controversy involving Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Williams has denounced the Florida governor and anti-LGBTQ+ laws numerous times on the Paramore concert trail but did not mention him in Orlando directly. (Fox 35)
3. Orlando Police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a U.S. military veteran at a Central Florida shopping plaza in February, according to authorities. The suspect is the second person charged in the incident and is being charged with first-degree murder with a firearm. The veteran served in Operation Desert Storm. (Click Orlando)
4. A Florida man is accused of leaving his almost 2-year-old daughter in a hot car on Sunday while shopping at a grocery store in Leesburg. The suspect is charged with child neglect by police. Body cam footage was obtained by WESH in the arrest. (WESH)
5. Tourism declined in the Orlando area in April 2023 from a year earlier with hotel occupancy declining to about 77 percent compared to nearly 83 percent in 2022. Tax revenues from tourism also dipped. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings blamed the drop in business on the political climate in Florida including battles over LGTBQ+ rights and attacks on Disney. (Spectrum News 13)

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Today in Orlando:

• Coffee Club Nona at Sam's Club Lake Nona. (8:30 a.m.)
• 3rd Thursday Gallery Hop at Downtown Arts District. (6 p.m.)
• Sally’s Night at Orange County Regional History Center. (6 p.m.)
• Orlando Corporate Overview at Rosen Shingle Creek. (6:30 p.m.)
• Milk District Comedy Thursdays at Barley & Vine Biergarten. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Orlando shared: "The City of Orlando is reaching the final stages of an exciting beautification project. Get ready to admire the natural landscape surrounding the iconic I-4 Solidarity Sculpture." (Downtown Orlando via Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department shared: "Orlando Police Homicide Detectives have made an additional arrest in the homicide of U.S. Military Veteran Angela Sutton Washington. Angela Sutton Washington was shot and killed while shopping in the plaza located at 5100 North Lane." (Orlando Police Department via Facebook)
• Orlando Fire Department shared: "Orlando Fire Recruitment attended the Seminole State Fire Academy recruiting event. Engineer Madriaga and Firefighter Exantus spoke to graduates about a career within the OFD fire service." (Orlando Fire Department via Facebook)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer shared: "Leu Gardens is a gem for our entire community. If you're looking for something fun to do on Father's Day, admission is free for all dads and kids (and kids of all ages) will enjoy the dinosaurs exhibit." (Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— 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