🌱 So Dough Pizza Co. Coming Soon + SeaWorld "Ice Breaker" Launch + Testing Controversy

Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Nice with partial sunshine. High: 72 Low: 57.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried last week accused the DeSantis administration of sitting on a stockpile of soon-to-expire COVID tests and urged their rapid distribution, but provided few specifics. (Florida Phoenix)

2. Popular Orlando spot Tin and Taco is adding a new pizza concept to its SoDo taco location. So Dough Pizza Co. will serve Detroit and Chicago pizza and will open in late February of this year. (Bungalower)

3. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo joined Governor Ron DeSantis for a press conference on Monday. Ladapo said the the state would implement a new emphasis on "high-value" testing versus "low-value" testing and stop focusing on testing certain citizens in the pandemic. 62,504 people in Florida have died from COVID-related reasons since the pandemic began. (WTSP)

4. An Orlando Melbourne International Airport traveler was arrested on New Year’s Day after refusing to wear a mask, according to a probable cause affidavit. 63-year-old David Chase faces disorderly conduct and trespassing charges and is being held in Brevard County jail. (Click Orlando)

5. New attraction: SeaWorld Orlando announced Monday that its long-anticipated “Ice Breaker” roller coaster will officially open to the public on Friday, February 18th. The coaster has a 93-feet tall spike with a 100 degree angle. (WFLA)

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Today in Orlando:

• Open Skate At RDV Ice Den. (12:00 PM)
• John H. Jackson Neighborhood Center Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Site. (3:00 PM)
• Colonial Varsity Girls Soccer Vs. Timber Creek At Colonial High School. (7:00 PM)
• Game Night At Pour Choice Taphouse. (7:00 PM)
• .Gif from God & Infant Island w/ Gillian Carter, COMPUTER at Stardust Video & Coffee. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings will celebrate “El Día de Reyes” (Three Kings Day) on Wednesday, January 5th. (Orange County Government, Florida)
• Holiday decorations at Lake Eola Park will start coming down on Thursday January 6th, don't miss your chance to experience Downtown for the Holidays before it's gone. (Instagram)
• Florida confirmed hospitalizations from COVID-19 have reached 5,299. An increase of 313 people total, according to Florida Hospital Association. The number hospitalized increased 281.2% increase in 14 days and a 155.4% increase in 7 days. (Twitter)

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You're officially in the loop 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.