🌱 School Violence Townhall Meeting + Travel Surges 35% + Orlando Pride Changes

Good morning, people of Orlando! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.

First, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower. High: 78 Low: 66.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Orange County school board member Vicki-Elaine Felder hosted a town hall on school violence and safety after shots were fired near Carver Middle School on December 2nd as school was dismissed. Parents, teachers, city leaders and law enforcement met to discuss ways to address the issue. (WESH)

2. Orlando International Airport (MCO) stands to earn $233 million dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal recently signed by President Joe Biden. The money will go to support airport improvement programs including the expansion of the South Terminal known as Terminal C. (WMFE)

3. AAA says Florida year-end holiday travel is up 35% from 2020. Orlando ranks as the number one destination in the United States for the holidays. More than 5.9 million people are forecasted to travel in Florida between December 23rd, 2021 and January 2nd 2022. (WFTV)

4. Orlando Pride star Alex Morgan announced that she's leaving to go to San Diego, California. The news comes amid a string of changes in players and leadership for the team. Morgan played on the US Women's National Team during the last two World Cup wins. (Orlando Weekly)

5. Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining initiative raised $289,291 this year. Funds raised were donated to Pathlight Home and iDignity, which serve local homeless residents as well as low-income individuals and families. (Bungalower)

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Today in Orlando:

• Open Skate at RDV Ice Den. (12:00 PM)
• Dover Shores Neighborhood Center Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Site. (2:00 PM)
• Boys Soccer vs Boone at Colonial High School. (6:00 PM)
• Orange County Community Development Advisory Board Meeting at Internal Operations Center. (6:00 PM)
• Orlando Magic Vs. Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: "For now, we’re saying goodbye to our Frontyard Festival™, presented by AdventHealth. What an incredible experience — and it was all possible thanks to the most amazing colleagues, partners, donors and community." (Facebook)
• Downtown Orlando: "We’ve made great progress toward the vision for a live, work, learn and play downtown.” - Mayor Dyer during @doporlando's State of Downtown at @ExploriaStadium, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer offered a glimpse into downtown’s future, w..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Weekly: "#Orlando is far from just chain #restaurants and places built to rob tourists. Roadside gourmand Guy Fieri knows this for a fact and he's paid plenty of visits to the City Beautiful and surrounding areas to show off some of our best hole..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department: "Over the past few months, Detectives Staudenmaier and Detective Corbitt have worked together seamlessly to combat narcotic related crimes for our @City of Orlando - Government residents. In total, the detectives have seized 13 firearms i..." (Facebook)
• Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida: "Thank you, Acahand Foundation, for last week's Light the World with Love Christmas concert series featuring Colonial High School and other community choirs. The event benefited the Coalition and other Central Florida nonprofits! You can ..." (Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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.