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Orlando Sentinel Conversations

628 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratings

Orlando Sentinel Conversations aims to keep you up to date on what makes Central Florida tick. We cover news, politics, entertainment, crime, communities – whatever is on the mind of those that call Orlando and its surrounding communities home.

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Episodes

#OSNow: DeSantis calls for end to Disneys ‘special privileges’ and Florida Trail thru-hikers share tales (Ep. 819)

March 31, 2022 22:02 - 13 minutes - 13.1 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, April 1, 2022. DeSantis calls for end to Disney’s ‘special privileges’ in Florida (:33) Florida Trail thru-hikers, class of 2022, share adventures and tales from the trail (5:15)

#OSNow: Disney vs. DeSantis, Winter Park Village makeover, and Pack District food hall news (EP. 818)

March 30, 2022 20:59 - 10 minutes - 10.6 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, March 31, 2022.   Disney vs. DeSantis: Florida Republicans bash the Mouse, but is it just bluster? (:42) New Ruth’s Chris Steak House headlines Winter Park Village makeover (4:58) Packing District food hall will focus on immigrant cuisine when it opens next year (6:52) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (8:30)

#OSNow: ICON Park Free Fall victim was turned away from others rides, and a deeper meaning behind ‘Cats’ (Ep. 817)

March 29, 2022 17:07 - 8 minutes - 8.54 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, March 30, 2022.   ICON Park Free Fall victim TyreSampson was turned away from other rides, cousin says (:34) Fake fur of ‘Cats’ might hide something a little deeper | Review (3:37)

#OSNow: DeSantis signs ‘don’t say gay’ into law and Scott Maxwell says we should give legislators a raise (Ep. 816)

March 21, 2022 18:32 - 10 minutes - 9.57 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, March 29, 2022. DeSantis signs Florida ‘don’t say gay’ into law (:34) Pay legislators more? What a gross idea. We should do it. | Commentary (4:39)  

OSNow: Scott Maxwell on the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight Disney helped create and Orlando officials signal support for Deming’s sale tax plan (Ep. 815)

March 15, 2022 11:31 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Columnist Scott Maxwell on the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight Disney helped create | Commentary (:45) Orlando officials signal support for Demings’ sales tax plan for transportation (4:43)

#OSNow: Orlando shines with James Beard Award semifinalists and no end to suffering in sight for manatees (Ep. 814)

March 10, 2022 20:12 - 12 minutes - 12 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, March 11, 2022. Meet the James Beard Award semifinalists. “This is Orlando’s time to shine.” (:41) Manatee’s prolonged suffering looks endless as seagrass fails to revive (5:48)

#OSNow: Florida issues guidance against COVID-19 vaccine for kids and CFCArts’ canceled ‘Ragtime’ finds new venue (Ep. 813)

March 09, 2022 01:29 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Florida officially issues guidance against COVID-19 vaccines for kids without underlying conditions (:41) CFCArts’ canceled ‘Ragtime’ finds new venue, adds special events (5:28)

#OSNow: Federal vaccine deadline for 60,000 local hospital workers passed and a look at the population boom coming to Apopka (Ep. 812)

March 01, 2022 18:32 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Federal vaccine deadline for about 60,000 local hospital workers passed Monday (:35) Moving Out: A population boom in coming to Apopka. Long timers worry about losing community | Special Report (5:39)

#OSNow: DeSantis playing waiting game with Trump, Florida’s anti-gay crusade and gas prices could surge after Ukraine invasion (Ep. 811)

March 01, 2022 13:14 - 12 minutes - 12.1 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, March 1, 2022. CPAC 2022: DeSantis stuck playing the waiting game with Trump over 2024 (:39) Florida’s anti-gay crusade is funding by the Disneys of the world | Commentary (4:46) Already rising Florida gas prices could surge after Ukraine invasion (9:59)

#OSNow: Native Florida yaupon ‘tea’ business hits $1M mark and tips to play it safe when heading outdoors (Ep. 810)

February 23, 2022 17:26 - 12 minutes - 12.6 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.   Native Florida yaupon ‘tea’ business sprouts into $1 million business with new cafe (:42) When heading outdoors, it’s important to always be prepared (5:09) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (10:39)

#OSNow: Orange County approves new commission district boundaries, and OMA’s Basquiat exhibit questioned as museum calls off downtown expansion (Ep. 809)

February 22, 2022 17:23 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.   Orange County approves new commission district boundaries (:33) Orlando museum director: ‘Absolutely no doubt’ Basquiats are genuine (5:04) Orlando Museum of Art’s downtown expansion is called off (8:52)

#OSNow: New Wekiva River bridges set to open soon and Parramore prepares to be Orlando’s next main street (Ep.808)

February 22, 2022 13:24 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. New Wekiva River bridges: sculptural, storied, ready to open (:37) Parramore prepares to be Orlando’s next main street (5:02)

#OSNow: Parents of kids under 5 in limbo after COVID vaccine review delayed, and a look at all that Spanish moss hanging around (Ep. 807)

February 15, 2022 17:26 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.   Parents of kids under 5 in limbo after COVID vaccine review delayed (:42) What is Spanish moss, and how did it earn its name? (4:48) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (9:18)

#OSNow: Metro Orlando rents rising and Scott Maxwell on I-4 toll lanes (Ep. 806)

February 14, 2022 15:05 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday,  Feb. 15, 2022. Metro Orlando rents rise the fastest in the Sun Belt, sparking frustration and fear (:32) Revamped Interstate 4 set to open. $14 tolls lowered to 50 cents and $3 ‘introductory rate’s | Commentary (7:17)

#OSNow: Book banning in Central Florida, the cost of chicken wings, and Scott Maxwell’s Hate Mail (Ep. 805)

February 10, 2022 17:39 - 11 minutes - 11.1 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Amid book challenges, parents and censorship foes raise alarms (:43) Expect to pay an arm and a leg for chicken wings this Super Bowl Sunday (4:58) Columnist Scott Maxwell’s Hate Mail (8:40)

#OSNow: Orange County strengthens fertilizer rules, and we visit Solomon’s Castle (Ep. 804)

February 09, 2022 18:53 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.   Orange County’s tougher fertilizer rules aim to protect lakes, wildlife from lawn chemicals (:42) Solomon’s Castle: 50 years since opening, artist Howard Solomon’s shimmering legacy lives on (9:08) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (14:16)

#OSNow: Celebrate Black History Month on Central Florida stages, and a look at bills that push secrecy (Ep. 803)

February 08, 2022 20:37 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Celebrate Black History Month on Central Florida stages (:32) One bill’s answer to corruption: More secrecy | Editorial (5:56)

#OSNow: Spirit, Frontier merger could have impact in Orlando, and iBuyers, rental home investors big players in hot real estate market (Ep. 802)

February 07, 2022 23:50 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Spirit, Frontier merger could have big impact in Orlando (:34) Wekiva Hunt Club draws iBuyers, rental home investors in hot real estate market (4:30)

#OSNow: No more train whistles in Orlando and Girl Scout cookie season begins with new addition (Ep. 801)

February 03, 2022 17:00 - 10 minutes - 9.81 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.   Orlando, can’t you hear the train whistle blow? Not anymore (:41) With a new cookie, Orlando Girl Scouts hope for sweeter sales after pandemic slump (6:06)

#OSNow: Omicron waning in Orange County and Florida National Guard remains in Ukraine (Ep. 800)

February 02, 2022 18:24 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.   Omicron is waning in Orange County, but 1 in 4 tests still positive (:39) Florida National Guard remains in Ukraine as troops sent to nearby countries (6:33) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (10:05)

#OSNow: COVID-19 home foreclosures and ‘parallel’ dark money investigation (Ep. 799)

February 02, 2022 16:10 - 9 minutes - 8.75 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Flood of COVID-19 home foreclosures didn’t happen in Orlando, rest of U.S. (:42) Records shed light on ‘parallel’ dark money investigation that emerged from Artiles probe (4:34)

#OSNow: OCPS students must attend class or become homeschoolers and Scott Maxwell on bill aimed at hiding execution drugs (Ep. 798)

January 31, 2022 16:43 - 8 minutes - 7.84 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. OCPS students must attend class or become homeschoolers; adult mask mandate on-campus extended (:41) Florida wants execution drugs hidden from you - and the companies that make them | Commentary (3:42)

#OSNow PODCAST: Joel Greenberg friend to plead guilty and New version of omicron variant ( Ep. 797)

January 27, 2022 17:18 - 12 minutes - 12.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Joel Greenberg friend and former employee to plead guilty in federal court New version of omicron variant is becoming more common, but there’s no need to panic WEATHER REPORT: Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

#OSNow: DeSantis blast FDA move to halt antibody drugs, and why did governor muzzle top Orange County health official? ( Ep. 796)

January 25, 2022 17:24 - 9 minutes - 8.82 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. DeSantis blasts FDA move to halt antibody drugs that don’t work vs. omicron (:32) Why did DeSantis muzzle top Orange County health official? | Editorial (4:42)  

#OSNow

January 24, 2022 17:14

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2021.

OSNow: Free N95 masks coming, and Scott Maxwell on Steinmetz Hall (Ep. 795)

January 24, 2022 17:14 - 8 minutes - 7.87 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2021. Winn-Dixie, other grocers to give away more than 2 million N95 masks coming from D.C. (:35) Steinmetz Hall: A 15-year journey involving record philanthropy, new technology and a new NBA arena | Commentary (2:39)

#OSNow: Could your cold really be mild COVID-19? And Gnarly Barley marks 10 years (Ep. 794)

January 13, 2022 20:03 - 9 minutes - 8.65 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Feel like you have allergies or a cold? It could be mild COVID-19 (:43) Gnarly Barley marks 10 years with new Ivanhoe location, Deli Fresh Threads collab (5:07)

#OSNow: Gaetz’s ex testifies before grand jury in Orlando and bill would allow Florida counties oversight of tax collectors spending (Ep. 793)

January 12, 2022 22:50 - 10 minutes - 10.7 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend testifying before grand jury in Orlando, reports say (:47) Bill would let counties object to tax collectors spending after Greenberg debacle (4:21) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (9:26)

#OSNow: DeSantis calls Florida ‘the freest state’ and how the wonders of Steinmetz Hall work (Ep. 792)

January 11, 2022 19:57 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Gov. Ron DeSantis calls Florida ‘the freest state,’ attacks federal government in address (:31) Steinmetz Hall: How it’s more than one theater and how it will change the way Orlando hears music (5:28)

#OSNow: Beware COVID testing scams, and Scott Maxwell looks at special interests funneling cash to Florida politicians (Ep. 791)

January 10, 2022 13:57 - 10 minutes - 10.4 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Central Florida authorities warn of COVID testing scams (:33) Power companies, theme parks, gambling interests funnel cash to Florida pols | Commentary (4:35)

#OSNow: First cruise cancellations due to COVID, and Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board sets 2022 priorities (Ep. 790)

January 06, 2022 22:37 - 12 minutes - 12.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. First cruise cancellations hit as every U.S. ship now under COVID watches (:43) Priorities for 2022 include making Central Florida affordable | Editorial (5:36)

#OSNow: AdventHealth COVID hospitalizations surge, and the Central Florida Explorer urges supporting local bike shops (Ep. 789)

January 05, 2022 17:39 - 12 minutes - 12.5 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. AdventHealth COVID hospitalizations surge by 140 in 2 days (:42) Support your local Central Florida bike shop | Commentary (6:00) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (11:17)

#OSNow: Florida Surgeon General proposes kids skip COVID tests, and OCPS logs record COVID cases (Ep. 788)

January 04, 2022 17:17 - 10 minutes - 9.83 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Florida Surgeon General proposes children skip COVID tests (:32) OCPS logs record COVID-19 cases, Osceola high absentee rates (5:49)

#OSNow: Restaurant trends in 2022 and skyrocketing rents in Orlando (Ep. 787)

January 03, 2022 15:51 - 9 minutes - 9.06 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. On the menu for 2022: Healthy restaurant food in biodegradable packaging (:30) After skyrocketing in 2021, Orlando rents expected to increase more slowly in new year (3:08)

#OSNow: Home prices keep going up, Florida Fresh Air visits West Orange Trail, and Central Florida’s best home holiday light displays (Ep. 786)

December 16, 2021 19:22 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Orlando home prices keep going up; higher interest rates might not stop it (:46) Florida Fresh Air: West Orange Trail (6:00) 2021 Twinkly Awards: Central Florida’s best home holiday light displays (9:22)

#OSNow: Omicron is predominant variant in Orange County’s wastewater testing, and taste the holidays with these seasonal sips and snacks (Ep. 785)

December 15, 2021 19:12 - 11 minutes - 11.5 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. Omicron has become the predominant variant found in Orange County’s wastewater testing (:45) Eggnog or coquito: Why not both? Taste the holidays with 5 seasonal sips and snacks (5:40) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (9:47)

#OSNow: Joel Greenberg agrees to pay Seminole $1.9M in restitution, and the manatee crisis (Ep. 784)

December 14, 2021 21:40 - 10 minutes - 9.77 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. Seminole attorney: Joel Greenberg agrees to pay nearly $1.9 million to Seminole in restitution (:34) Make it clear: Manatees are in crisis | Editorial (4:26)

#OSNow: Orange County finds omicron variant in wastewater, and Scott Maxwell on Florida’s poor treatment of teachers (Ep. 783)

December 14, 2021 12:39 - 9 minutes - 9.29 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Orange County finds omicron variant in wastewater (:33) Columnist Scott Maxwell on Florida’s difficulty hiring, retaining teachers (4:03)

#OSNow: DeSantis unveils $99.7B budget plan, cookie swap recipes from top local bakers, and Orlando’s Christmas Star (Ep. 782)

December 09, 2021 18:28 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. DeSantis unveils $99.7 billion budget plan, with gas tax holiday, more spending (:41) Win your cookie swap with holiday recipes from top Orlando bakers (4:30) Greeting From: Orlando’s Christmas Star (7:40)

#OSNow: Winter Park ready to debut $42M library, events center, and Florida Fresh Air heads to Flat Island Preserve (Ep. 781)

December 08, 2021 17:54 - 9 minutes - 9.64 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Winter Park ready to debut $42M library and events center on Saturday (:31) Florida Fresh Air: Flat Island Preserve (4:49) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (8:12)

#OSNow: Trump, O’Reilly bring ‘History Tour’ to Orlando, Scott Maxwell on convention center expansion, and don’t miss ‘The Prom’ at Dr. Phillips Center (Ep. 780)

December 07, 2021 21:31 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Trump, O’Reilly heading to Orlando on Sunday for ‘History Tour’ (:41) Hallelujah! Mayor Demings may halt further expansion of 7 million square foot convention center | Commentary (3:17) Critic’s Pick: Need a joy-filled lift? Don’t miss ‘The Prom’ | Commentary (6:44)

#OSNow: Omicron variant spurs high demand for booster shots in Central Florida, and foreign real estate investors eye Miami, Orlando (Ep. 779)

December 06, 2021 15:46 - 8 minutes - 8.37 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Demand for booster shots rockets in Central Florida, breaks statewide record after omicron enters the U.S. (:34) Florida draws 22% of foreign real estate investors, with Miami, Orlando leading pack (3:12)

#OSNow: Last Stand for Florida Wildlands series, a classic cocktail for Repeal Day, and Florida Fresh Air heads to Gemini Springs (Ep. 778)

December 02, 2021 19:09 - 14 minutes - 14.1 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Reporter Kevin Spear discusses his 5-part Orlando Sentinel special report: Last Stand for Florida Wildlands (:40) The Scofflaw — a classic cocktail for Repeal Day (7:40) Florida Fresh Air: Gemini Springs (11:04)

#OSNow: Orlando pauses rent relief, and Christmas trees fly off the stands in Orlando (Ep. 777)

December 02, 2021 17:41 - 9 minutes - 8.8 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. Orlando pauses rent relief payments until mid-January O Tannenbaum, where have you gone? Christmas trees fly off the stands in Orlando WEATHER REPORT:  Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

#OSNow: Last Stand for Florida Wildlands special report, and editorial takes a look at tourist tax money (Ep. 776)

November 30, 2021 19:56 - 12 minutes - 12.2 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Last Stand for Florida Wildlands: A 5-part Orlando Sentinel Special Report (:34) If I-Drive merchants want to help workers, they’ll stop being so greedy with tourist tax money | Editorial (7:09)

#OSNow: Orlando airport’s wheelchair attendants strike and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (Ep. 774)

November 19, 2021 17:56 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Orlando airport’s wheelchair attendants strike over poverty wages Disney shows off progress on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

#OSNow: Giving Tuesday and Scott Maxwell on missing outrage about staged photos about school-masking-’abuse’ (Ep. 775)

November 18, 2021 18:17 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. Giving Tuesday — when the real giving season begins (:35) Police: Dad lied, staged photos about school-masking ‘abuse.’ Now where’s the outrage? | Commentary (5:57)

#OSNow: Manatees return to Blue Springs State Park, and this week’s top high school football games (Ep. 773)

November 17, 2021 17:33 - 10 minutes - 10.7 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. Florida Fresh Air: Blue Spring State Park (:41) Varsity reporter J.C. Carnahan preview the top games in the second round of FHSAA playoffs (6:54) Weather presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty (9:14)

#OSNow: Skyrocketing costs force restaurants to raise prices, racism and road-building, and new pro arts group in Orlando (Ep. 772)

November 17, 2021 00:38 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. Orlando diners fork out more cash as skyrocketing costs force restaurants to raise prices (:35) Racism and road-building isn’t ‘weird stuff’ — as I-4 shows, it’s reality | Editorial (3:07) Orlando Sings: New pro arts group will make music (6:39)

#OSNow: CDC says Orange’s COVID-19 spread now ‘moderate,’ and Scott Maxwell on Disney’s change on sports betting (Ep. 771)

November 15, 2021 16:58 - 10 minutes - 9.94 MB

Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. CDC says Orange’s COVID spread now ‘moderate,’ vaccinated no longer advised to mask indoors (:34) The sports-betting rush in Florida, Even Disney, formerly opposed to gambling, wants in | Commentary (3:45)