Top 4 news stories you need to know: May 20, 2025
FOX 35 News+ delivers in-the-moment news across Orlando, Florida, and the U.S. with in-depth interviews.
Playbook Tuesday: Miami-Dade shifts from blue to red
This Playbook Tuesday, POLITICO reporter Gary Fineout joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live to break down Miami-Dade County's red shift continuing to showcase Republicans' growing influence in Florida, the state budget stalemate as we get closer to the July 1 deadline and bill actions pending from Governor Ron DeSantis' desk.
President Trump pushes GOP to pass 'big, beautiful bill'
President Donald Trump traveled on Tuesday morning to Capitol Hill to deliver a message to House Republicans impeding a massive bill for his domestic agenda. Trump empathized that he wants the fighting to stop so the bill can be done as soon a possible. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack shares her thoughts on the bill, as well as the recent alleged assault of an immigration officer by a Democratic leader.
Florida law enforcement talk immigration enforcement
The Florida State Immigration Enforcement Council held a meeting Tuesday afternoon where law enforcement officials from across the state talked about immigration enforcement. Leaders talked about the lack of space in jails to hold suspects, which prompted a conversation about receiving more help from the federal government when it comes to this issue. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer breaks down the conversations for us.
Epic Universe: Live look inside How To Train Your Dragon
Universal's Epic Universe opens this week in Orlando, Florida -- the first major theme park to open in Florida in nearly two decades. Epic Universe will be Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Universal's Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universal is home to Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, each with their own attractions, rides, shows, and restaurants. Epic Universe officially opens on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Here is a first look inside Epic Universe.
Top 4 stories you need to know: May 19, 2025
FOX 35's Garrett Wymer and John Brown break down the top stories of the day, from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd giving an update on the violent death of an 81-year-old man in a group home, the Supreme Court issuing a court order allowing the Trump Administration to proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants, a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation demolished in Florida, and the latest details on Universal's Epic Universe Grand Opening Day this Thursday, May 22.
SCOTUS lets Trump end TPS for 350k Venezuelans
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a court order allowing the Trump Administration to proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Venezuelans in the United States. Congressman Darren Soto joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to react to this news, break down how this will impact the large number of Venezuelans living in Florida and his advice to Venezuelans currently under Temporary Protected Status.
Timeline for Universal's Epic Universe Grand Opening
Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the timeline for Thursday, May 22 Grand Opening of Universal's Epic Universe, from the gates and parking lots opening at 6 a.m. to the big celebration event happening closer to the park's official 9 a.m. opening.
Countdown to Universal's Epic Universe Grand Opening
Universal's Epic Universe, Orlando's newest theme park opens this Thursday, May 22. FOX 35's David Martin joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to preview the opening of the theme park and the economic impact of Epic Universe on Orlando and Central Florida.
Top 4 stories you need to know: May 16, 2025
FOX 35's Garrett Wymer and LuAnne Sorrell break down the top news stories of the day, including the latest updates, a 4pm scheduled briefing from Jacksonville officials on the garage fire that shut down all flights at Jacksonville International Airport, more than 200 arrests including 36 illegal immigrants arrested in 'Operation Fool Around and Find Out' in Polk County, a 13-year-old arrested in a stabbing in Volusia County and the new Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride running without a virtual queue today at Epic Universe preview days.
Rays vs. Marlins Citrus Series begins tonight in Miami
The Tampa Bay Rays are in Miami preparing for the Citrus Series against the Miami Marlins as part of Major League Baseball's Rivalry Weekend. Ely Sussman, founder of Fish on First, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live to preview what fans can expect from this series.
SCOTUS hears birthright citizenship, injunction case
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding President Donald Trump's Executive Order barring birthright citizenship from the children of people in the U.S. illegally, or the children of people in the U.S. on a temporary visa. Eric Merriam, an Associate Professor of Legal Studies with UCF joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down this case and whether the Supreme Court could rule federal judges ineligible to grant temporary injunctions to block executive actions from the President.
Email scheme nets CEO's $1m bonus check
An unnamed Orlando hospitality company paid out $1 million bonus meant for their CEO to a scammer who hacked into their company email system. Matt Rose, CXO of Tech Rage IT, joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down this attack and how you can protect yourself, even if you're not a CEO expecting a million-dollar bonus check
Fire shuts down Jacksonville Airport
A fire in the hourly garage shut down Jacksonville International Airport this afternoon. Michael Stewart, VP of External Affairs with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live to break down the current situation at Jacksonville International Airport, the response, and when people may be able to expect flights to resume out of Jacksonville.
Top 4 stories you need to know: May 15, 2025
FOX 35's Garrett Wymer and Marlisa Goldsmith break down the top news stories of the day, from the next steps in the investigation and legal proceedings for accused FSU shooter Phoenix Ikner after a grand jury indicted him on 2 counts of first-degree murder and 7 counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, an Orange County teen taking a plea deal for manslaughter for accidentally shooting and killing his childhood friend, an Orlando teen drowning in a body of water near an apartment complex and a heat wave moving over Florida this weekend.
Epic Universe grand opening: What visitors need to know
One week out from the Grand Opening at Universal Epic Universe, Jon & Angie Bowden from the Love Our Life Vlog joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live to preview the park and talk about their experiences at preview days ahead of the full opening of Orlando's newest theme park.
Biggest takeaways from 2025 NFL schedule release
Brandon Kravitz, host of In The Zone on 96.9 The Game joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the 2025 NFL Schedule Relase, where things stand for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, and the top NFL storylines to keep in mind heading into the beginning of the 2025 NFL season.
Grand jury indicts FSU shooting suspect for murder
A grand jury indicted FSU shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner on 2 counts of first-degree murder and 7 counts of attempted first-degree murder. During his first appearance, a judge denied Ikner bond. Attorney Stacey Felter, with Felter Law, and a former public prosecutor, joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down how this legal case could proceed, and a public defender's perspective on representing a high-profile case.
Next steps in FSU shooting case
Court documents show that yesterday a court indicted the Florida State University (FSU) shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner on two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. Stacey Felter, an attorney with Felter Law, joins FOX 35 News+ to discuss next steps in the case.
Top 4 stories you need to know today: May 13, 2025
FOX 35's Marlisa Goldsmith and LuAnne Sorrell break down the top news stories of the day, including FSU shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner being denied bond during his first appearance in court this morning, the state budget battle returning to Tallahassee with the Florida House in session, Governor Ron DeSantis advocating for term limits in Ohio, and Tampa Bay Rays legend Evan Longoria announcing his retirement from Major League Baseball.