Top 4 stories you need to know: May 23, 2025
FOX 35's John Brown and Garrett Wymer break down the top news stories of the day, from a Seminole High School substitute teacher and assistant football coach accused of punching a student with nonverbal autism, a Checkers employee accused of shooting a customer complaining about their order, a registered sex offender setting his group home on fire with his roommates inside and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd's reaction, and the Orlando Dreamers facing roadblocks in their push to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando.
Expert breaks down Trump's tariff threats on Apple, EU
President Trump threatened Apple with a 25% tariff on iPhones unless the company moves manufacturing to the U.S. and 50% blanket tariffs on the European Union because the administration feels trade talks aren't progressing quickly enough. Dr. Victor Claar, an Associate Professor of Economics at Florida Gulf Coast University, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the tariff threats, their use in negotiations, and set realistic expectations for Apple to potentially move iPhone manufacturing stateside.
Criminal investigation opens into Hope Florida
Lawrence Mower and Alexandria Glorioso of the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times join FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down their reporting on the Hope Florida organization in regards to a $10 million donation to a political committee opposing a recreational marijuana amendment. Hope Florida is led by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, which aims to connect Floridians with non-profit and faith-based services.
NOAA releases 2025 Hurricane Season Outlook
FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Laurel Blanchard breaks down the CSU and NOAA 2025 Hurricane Season forecasts with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer, from the amount of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes projected for this year.
Epic Universe: What's next for the newest theme park?
Drew Smith, Drew The Disney Dude joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the response online to the Grand Opening of Epic Universe, the current state of the park 8 hours into its first official day, and when we could see the next announcement from Universal Orlando Resort on what's next for Epic Universe. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: When could we see full capacity?
Matthew Miller, Senior Director of Orlando Informer joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live from Epic Universe to talk about the low crowd capacity on the Grand Opening Day of Universal's newest theme park, what could be next for the park, and how Universal Orlando Resort might ramp up the amount of guests until they reach full capacity. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
History of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort
FOX 35 anchor John Brown joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to take a trip down memory lane with Universal Orlando Resort and the parcel of land that would eventually become Epic Universe which held its grand opening today. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: First official guest woke up at 2am
Nikki Zamorano, the first official guest to walk inside the Chronos at Universal's Epic Universe joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to talk about her day at Epic Universe and how Universal Team Members picked her and her Luna outfit to be the first official guest at Epic Universe. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: can't-miss character meet and greets
Victoria Wade, @HeCallsMePineapplePrincess joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the can't-miss character meet and greets at Universal Epic Universe, from Toad, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and the iconic Toothless the Dragon at Isle of Berk. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: Isle of Berk on Opening Day
FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live to talk about her experience inside How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, meeting Toothless the Dragon and the food and drinks, including the mac and cheese cones on display at the Isle of Berk. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: Isle of Berk is a SLEEPER world
Dustin Sparage, the Theme Park Shark joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live in-studio to discuss his perspective on Epic Universe. Sparage says he's been to Universal's newest theme park more than 10 times ahead of today's Grand Opening and says How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk is a SLEEPER world you need to check out. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: High-tech hotels at the park
FOX 35 news anchor John Brown joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to talk about his conversation with Leslie Pchola, regional vice president at Hilton Grand Vacations, about the priorities with developments and the newest tech Hilton's hotels have right next to Epic Universe, including Las Palmeras, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club hotel. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: Super Nintendo World is a Super Star
Gene Park, Washington Post reporter covering video games and video gaming culture joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down Super Nintendo World, Mario and Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto's visit to Orlando and background creating Super Nintendo World and the cultural impact of the land at Epic Universe. Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong's ability to bring parents, children and grandparents together and the multi-generational nature of Nintendo are on full display right here in Orlando.
Epic Universe: Going bananas for Donkey Kong Country
FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to talk about all of the offerings at Super Nintendo World, the immersive elements on display at Princess Peach's Castle and at Donkey Kong Country, including a very banana-inspired sweet treat. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: new Harry Potter wands on display
FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live from outside of Epic Universe to break down the new Harry Potter wands available at Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic and all of the interactive parts of 1920s Paris in Universal's newest theme park. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: the people behind the park
FOX 35 News Anchor Ryan Elijah joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down his conversations with officials and representatives responsible for the planning, development, construction and promotion of Epic Universe on its Grand Opening Day. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe: Best food and drink options
Kristen Wright from Wright Down Main Street joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer to break down the best food and drink options at Epic Universe, from the Ube garlic pizza at Pizza Moon to the Atlantic and the themed Dark Universe food and drinks at Das Stakehouse and the Burning Blade Tavern. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe's impact on Orange County
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings spoke with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer about the impact of Universal Epic Universe on the local community and the economic impact on Orlando and Orange County. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.
Epic Universe opening day draws international visitors
FOX 35's Morgan Parrish joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer's LIVE coverage of Epic Universe grand opening coverage speaking with guests driving into the park from Argentina and out-of-state from the American northeast.
Epic Universe: Super Nintendo World on opening day
Tharin White, Lead Publisher at EYNTK.info joined FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live from Super Nintendo World on the grand opening of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando's newest theme park. Universal's Epic Universe opened today in Orlando, Florida. It is Universal's fourth theme park in Florida, joining Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is home to five lands: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.