Shipping Containers for Sale in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s minimum wage just went up to $14 an hour this past week — part of a plan voters approved a few years back to slowly bump it up to $15 an hour. But some businesses are already paying their employees even more than that.

What You Need To Know

Evan Delaney’s specialties are baking and owning a business. He owns Great Harvest Bakery in downtown Orlando. But there’s something else he takes pride in — making sure his employees are taken care of when it comes to pay.

“Even though everyone here qualifies as a tipped worker, we don’t pay them as that. They get paid above that,” Delaney said.

Delaney pays his team more than minimum wage, plus tips, to help them keep up with the cost of living.

“Tips are welcomed, they’re encouraged, we would love them, but we want to earn them, and not have it be an expected part of the employees’ wage,” Delaney said.

According to CareerSource Central Florida, the average advertised salary in the region back in August was around $24 an hour — that’s about 71% higher than the new minimum wage.

“Businesses, small, medium and large, particularly in our big industries in Central Florida, you know hospitality, as well as healthcare and construction, have really already began to increase salaries at the starting wage,” said Pamela Nabors, CEO of CareerSource Central Florida.

Nabors says that even though people are still applying for jobs, the market is holding steady.

“Businesses that are looking at wages and creating their job descriptions and salary structures in a way that meets the market, it makes them much more competitive,” Nabors said.

As prices continue to rise, business owners like Delaney are doing what they can to make sure their employees can keep up.

“I like to focus on that being the goal rather than trying to pay someone a dollar less or pay somebody cheaper,” Delaney said.

Florida’s minimum wage will go up again next year, officially hitting $15 an hour by Sept. 30, 2026.

In the first 3 months since Florida's Super Speeder" law went into effect, more than 100 drivers have been arrested in Central Florida for excessive speeding. The law went into effect on June 1, 2025.

FOX 35 Orlando reached out to various law enforcement agencies in Central Florida to see how many arrests have been made under the new law. Based on the numbers provided, Orange County has made the most arrests.

What is the Super Speeder law?

House Bill 351, known as Florida's Super Speeder Law, was passed as part of the state's larger effort to crack down on excessive speeding and to hopefully reduce deadly crashes on Florida's roadways. It effectively criminalized "dangerous excessive speeding."

In Florida, the maximum speed limit on freeways is 70 mph. Under the new law, drivers caught going over 100 mph or more than 50 miles above the posted speed limit can be arrested, their car towed, and must attend a court hearing. Penalties include:

How many people have been arrested under the "Super Speeder" law?

Sheriff John Mina

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the new law simply comes down to safety and saving lives.

"When you're going over 100 miles an hour, when you go 50 miles an hour with a posted speed limit, when your crash, people are going to die. You're not going to survive that crash, and the people you hit are not going survive," he said.

He hopes it brings down dangerous driving.

"I think you will see, year over year, you're going to see those speeds decline. My hope is that we will see those traffic fatalities related to high speeds decline as well."

Plenty of excuses

Various law enforcement agencies have shared bodycam from some of those accused of dangerous driving on social media – and plenty of drivers have told those officers various reasons for their alleged speeding.

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 29-21 must-win against Texas was the complete performance the Gators (2-3, 1-1 SEC) needed and had failed to produce during a disappointing September. Coach Billy Napier’s team will need to build on the effort if he’s to keep his job, but Saturday’s performance was a essential step.

Here are five things learned as UF sent home Texas (3-2, 0-1) with a loss during its first trip to Gainesville since 1940.

Napier and the Gators need to summon some killer instinct

Leading 19-7 in the third quarter, Florida faced first-and-10 at the Texas 25 after a 60-yard catch by Vernell Brown III. Three plays and a false start later, Trey Smack kicked a 38-yard field goal that kept Texas within two possessions.

Boos from a sellout crowd followed a 4-yard run by tailback Jadan Baugh on third-and-nine, with UF on the edge of the red zone. Even amid an impressive outing by the Gators, frustration with Napier’s conservative play-calling endured.

Rather than try to deliver a knockout blow, UF’s coach settled for three points. The decision ultimately allowed the Longhorns to stage a comeback bid. A 15-yard facemask penalty on Gators true freshman lineman Jeremiah McCloud on the final drive rekindled memories of the USF loss when two defensive penalties opened the door for an upset.

High drama in the Swamp might have been avoided with some bolder play calls.

Consider the fourth quarter when UF led 29-14 after reaching Texas territory. The drive stalled after two Baugh runs sandwiched a screen pass. On third-and-3 Baugh lost three yards on a day when quarterback DJ Lagway had found something in the middle of the field.

A Florida team with limited margin for error better capitalize when opportunities arise.

“At the end of the game we’ve got to be able to finish it a little more stronger than that,” Lagway said.

Brown and Dallas Wilson are a rare, if not unprecedented tandem at Florida

Florida has had first-year freshman receivers burst onto the scene. Perhaps never have the Gators had two at the same time.

Time will tell, but Brown and Wilson were a dynamic and at times unstoppable duo against Texas.

After sitting out four games with a foot injury, Wilson stole the show. The Tampa native’s six catches, 111 yards and two scores were all school records for a true freshman in his first college start.

The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Wilson’s 55-yard touchdown encapsulated his skill set. He left Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the dust just past the the line of scrimmage, caught the ball, shook off safety Jelani McDonald along the sideline and ran over All-America safety Michael Taaffe on the goal line.

“He’s a specimen,” Lagway said of Wilson.

Not to be outdone, Brown’s 60-yard catch showcased the 18-year-old’s athleticism. The 5-foot-11 ¼, 178-pound Orlando native outmuscled and outmaneuvered defensive back Graceson Littleton, another freshman from Tampa.

Brown also had a 14-yard run on third-and-4 during the Gators’ opening driving. He finished with a team-high 141 all-purpose yards that would have been more if Texas had not punted away from him.

Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were an impressive pair when they arrived in 1994 but didn’t immediately take full flight. Willie Jackson Jr. had 10 touchdowns as a freshman in 1991 and Jabar Gaffney 71 catches in 2000.

After Saturday, Wilson and Brown are on their way to joining elite company.

Lagway found his rhythm after a rough September

The 20-year-old brought forth his form to outplay Arch Manning during a showdown of high-profile sophomores.

Lagway was accurate early on and eventually produced explosive plays sorely missing a season after he made defenses pay down the field. After completing one pass to a wide receiver longer than 20 yards in losses to LSU and Miami, Lagway had four Saturday.

“They give a lot of underneath stuff, so early on just taking what they’re giving us, getting some early completions to get our confidence going,” he explained. “Then eventually they’ll start creeping up — they did a little bit — and we got over the top of them.”

Lagway’s ability to capitalize was a good sign.

An injury-plagued offseason limited his workload, curtailed his development and undercut his confidence. During the bye week, Lagway rebuilt his belief and established synergy with Wilson, who had injury issues himself.

“When I was in, he was out,” Lagway said. “We really had a good two weeks just to work on our connection.”

Lagway finished 21 of 28 for 298 yards, two scores to Wilson and an interception, one of two ill-advised throws on an otherwise well-managed day.

The future is suddenly brighter while a five-interception nightmare at LSU and 61-yard effort at Miami appear to be behind him.

At the same time, Lagway could be nursing an injury

Lagway left the field gingerly and entered the medical tent after the Gators’ second drive ended with a 34-yard field goal by Smack.

Florida’s QB returned and didn’t miss a snap. The Gators’ offensive line, in its best game to date, kept the pocket clean to allow Lagway to operate.

But he lacked the mobility to capitalize when opportunities arose. Meanwhile, Manning ran for 74 yards, not including sacks, to showcase dual-threat abilities Lagway possesses but has rarely deployed because of injuries.

A hamstring strain in 2024 sidelined him during a 49-17 loss at Texas. He returned to lead a four-game winning streak while relying on his arm. A calf injury limited him during fall camp when he needed snaps.

Lagway brushed off Saturday’s development, though it’s worth monitoring.

“Nothing too crazy,” he said. “I’ve been here before, been in this situation. Just got to get better and continue to work.”

UF’s defensive front woke up

Tyreak Sapp’s tackle for loss on Texas’s first offensive snap was the redshirt senior end’s first TFL in three games and set the tone for a dominant day up front for Florida’s defense.

“We did exactly what we wanted to do and it was fun doing it,” said Sapp, who led UF with six tackles.

Sapp and his peers overwhelmed an offensive line with four new starters and rattled Manning, who suffered six sacks and two interceptions.

Senior Brien Taylor Jr. finished with 1.5 sacks, the first for the former junior college transfer who also had two hurries. UF pressured Manning 23 times after recording just 34 in the Gators’ first four games.

Sophomore nose tackle Micai Boireau also had his first sack. Meanwhile, true freshman Jeremiah McCloud continued his disruptive play while capitalizing on the void caused by veteran Caleb Banks’ foot injury.

The Gators’ defense has been solid despite inconsistent play up front. When Sapp and Co. are on their game, UF’s D is stellar.

Up next …

UF (2-3, 1-1) at No. 5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0)

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

Where: Kyle Field, College Station

TV: ESPN

Favorite: Texas A&M by 9.5 points

ORLANDO, Fla. - Heavy rain and scattered storms are expected to pick up across Central Florida, and this weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend, bringing the potential for localized flooding.

Here is a look at what we can expect tonight and over the weekend.

What will the weather look like tonight?

What's next:

A few scattered showers will stick around overnight. Lows will fall into the low-and-mid-70s.

What will the weather look like for the weekend?

What's Next:

Our unsettled pattern continues into the weekend.

Rain and storm chances will gradually increase thanks to a boundary and moisture leftover from Imelda.

It's growing increasingly likely that heavy rain will impact our coastal counties this weekend and into early parts of next week.

Flooding is possible, especially near the coast. A Flood Watch is in place for Brevard and Volusia counties until 8 a.m. Sunday. This is where rainfall totals could rise beyond 3 inches with some spots possibly picking up more than 6–8 inches.

A weak area of low pressure could form near the Bahamas and track over Florida this weekend and possibly early next week. Even though it has been outlined with a 10% chance of development from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), if a low were to form, it would most likely be non-tropical. If this happens, it will only help to increase our potential for heavy rain. Regardless, low-lying areas especially will need to monitor this threat.

This unsettled trend looks to hold into early next week, with highs staying in the upper-80s.

The rough surf and high rip current risk will remain for much of the week, and larger than normal breaking waves will be likely as well into the weekend.

Looking Ahead:

Rain chances continue into Monday and then will begin to settle down by midweek.

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the FOX 35 Storm Team on Oct. 3, 2025.

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Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, is a huge destination for families, attracting tens of millions of visitors to Disney World and Universal Orlando every year. But with all there is to do here, it's easy to get lost in the logistics and hard to make the most of your time. The city’s theme parks are massive and complex, so it pays to know the ins and outs of the best experiences — especially if you don’t want to spend your entire vacation within the parks.

Orlando’s done its share of growing and growing up, and these days, there’s far more to entertain vacationers beyond princess-loving kids and wand-wielding wizards. The city is brimming with natural beauty (cypress-lined lakes and freshwater springs bubbling up in a parfait of emerald and turquoise), cool neighborhoods, and cultural highlights. Just venture north to enjoy the atmospheric Orlando neighborhoods where the non-animatronic residents live, work, and play.

After a perfect weekend, you may find Orlando’s biggest surprises are all the layers you never suspected it had in store — and how easy it is to balance time at Disney or Universal with everything the city has to offer.

Who I am: I’ve called Florida home for more than half of my life, having crossed the state and back to live in the Jacksonville beaches, Cocoa Beach, downtown Orlando and, for the last decade or so, Tampa. During my time in Orlando, a favorite after-work pastime was wakeboarding on one of its hundred-plus natural lakes. Since then, I’ve written extensively about Florida and Orlando, from articles to guidebooks, during my 25-year career as a travel writer.

Before you go

How to get around: If you plan to venture beyond the theme parks to proper parks in Central Florida’s natural landscape and downtown’s neighborhoods, you’ll want to rent a car — get one at the airport for better selection and more competitive pricing. Public transport exists, but you’ll spend more time figuring it out (and waiting for it) when you could be out enjoying yourself.

That said, don’t sleep on SunRail, Central Florida’s mass transit commuter rail service. When staying downtown, it’s a stellar way to hop between Church Street and the cafe- and boutique-lined Park Avenue in Winter Park.

Book early: Character dining events at Walt Disney World Resort fill up quicker than Tinkerbell gets her glow on. Especially if you plan to visit over a holiday or any other peak period, set a reminder 60 days before the day you plan to be at the park to secure your reservations (that’s the furthest in advance you’re allowed to book).

Know the seasons: Needless to say, it’s the Sunshine State, and no matter the time of year, you’re going to want to pack all the sunscreen, hats, rashguards, and coverups for any outdoor fun. Staying hydrated is also key to not becoming another heat stroke victim. Keep in mind that the summer months bring regular afternoon downpours that can be intense, if short lived (pack a poncho if you want to keep going through the rain). Hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November — even though Orlando is inland, it’s seen major effects from more than one storm in the past.

Where to stay

Four Seasons at Walt Disney World

If you’re ready to seriously splurge, the hotel made TikTok-famous by a “fully conscious” baby’s desire to stay here has something for everyone: a lazy river (complete with rapids and waterfalls), complimentary kids club, adults-only pool, 13,000-square-foot spa, and Michelin-starred dining at Capa, the Spanish-inflected rooftop steakhouse, which boasts views of Disney’s fireworks.

Evermore Orlando Resort

The closest you’ll get to an Orlando hotel with a beach-like feel is this sprawling property with hotel rooms, suites, multi-bedroom condos, and houses — all centered around an 8-acre human-made lagoon where you can swim from a white sand beach, paddle out on a stand up paddleboard, or swing from a rope swing or in a hammock. Other amenities include four full-service onsite restaurants and two Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf courses.

The Alfond Inn

At this boutique property in Winter Park, works from theRollins Museum of Art are displayed in the hotel’s public spaces to encourage lingering (look for a painting by Iraqi-born artist Mohammed Sami and Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno’s exquisite floating sculptures). Kids can busy themselves cooling off in the rooftop pool while you stay dry on the sidelines under an umbrella, spicy margarita in hand. Everyone wins.

Two Days of Family-Friendly Fun in Orlando

Day 1: Park hopping at Disney, fireworks after dark, and plenty of sugar

Day 2: Hogwarts, and the Muggle world

If you have three days

If you have four days