INSIDER
Republican Thomas Chalifoux to challenge Darren Soto for US House District 9
Read full article: Republican Thomas Chalifoux to challenge Darren Soto for US House District 9Three Republican candidates are vying for a chance to replace incumbent U.S. House District 9 Rep. Darren Soto, D-Osceola County.
‘Don’t take your organs to heaven:’ Florida nonprofit discusses need for donors
Read full article: ‘Don’t take your organs to heaven:’ Florida nonprofit discusses need for donorsLocal leader and organ donation advocate Rosemarie Roth was recently recognized by U.S. Congressman Darren Soto for her community building through advocacy.
Soto ‘hopeful’ 2024 SHIELD Act will be included in internet privacy bill
Read full article: Soto ‘hopeful’ 2024 SHIELD Act will be included in internet privacy billThe 2024 SHIELD Act, designed to protect every American’s reputation on the internet and social media platforms, could become part of the comprehensive privacy bill as early as July.
A wave of international cuisine and visitors: City manager proud of Kissimmee’s diversity
Read full article: A wave of international cuisine and visitors: City manager proud of Kissimmee’s diversityCity Manager Mike Steigerwald tells News 6 Investigator Mike Holfeld that when he came to Kissimmee in 1994, the population was at 32,000. Today, he says they're probably pushing 85,000.
Updated SHIELD Act hits US House subcommittee, fights identity theft online
Read full article: Updated SHIELD Act hits US House subcommittee, fights identity theft onlineFlorida Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, presented “updated talking points” to the Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee on Capitol Hill Thursday that brings the proposed SHIELD Act closer to a full congressional vote.
Proposed SHIELD Act for identity theft victims hits Congress after News 6 investigation
Read full article: Proposed SHIELD Act for identity theft victims hits Congress after News 6 investigationFlorida Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissmmee, presented legislation to a subcommittee on Capitol Hill Wednesday that would penalize identity imposters and provide “legal remedies " for anyone whose identities are “used online without their consent.”
News 6 investigation prompts call to modernize the Communications Decency Act. Here are the details
Read full article: News 6 investigation prompts call to modernize the Communications Decency Act. Here are the detailsThe challenge to protect reputations from imposters on the internet and social media platforms has prompted a call to revamp the 1996 Communications Decency Act.
Rep. Soto views flooding, affordable housing as biggest challenges for 32825
Read full article: Rep. Soto views flooding, affordable housing as biggest challenges for 32825In an exclusive interview with News 6, Florida Congressman Darren Soto (D) District 9 said affordable housing and financial assistance for flooding are the top concerns for his constituents living in the 32825 ZIP code.
Florida congressman developing amendments to protect reputations on social media
Read full article: Florida congressman developing amendments to protect reputations on social mediaAn Orlando-area congressman is taking action after a student at the University of Central Florida told News 6 his reputation was ruined after racial slurs linked to his name went viral, reaching “about 1 million people.”
Orlando ironworkers offering pre-apprenticeship classes with pay
Read full article: Orlando ironworkers offering pre-apprenticeship classes with payOrlando Iron Workers Union 808 has launched an aggressive recruiting program to hire and train the next generation of ironworkers for what business manager Bobby Knost calls a “lifetime career.”
Second Harvest calls for more help to fight food insecurity in Farm Bill
Read full article: Second Harvest calls for more help to fight food insecurity in Farm BillAhead of the 2023 U.S. Farm Bill vote, congressional leaders and local organizations came together for a roundtable to discuss the importance of the bill’s passing.
Rep. Soto wants Justice Dept. to investigate antisemitic activity in Orlando
Read full article: Rep. Soto wants Justice Dept. to investigate antisemitic activity in OrlandoA U.S. congressman for the Orlando area is asking the Justice Department to investigate an antisemitic group and its recent activity in Orange County.
Millions in new federal money could help save Florida’s ailing coral
Read full article: Millions in new federal money could help save Florida’s ailing coralAfter four years of trying, lawmakers hope new federal money will be used to fuel efforts to save Florida’s coral reef, which some fear is on the brink of extinction.
Local leader joins call to remove former Brazilian president from Central Florida
Read full article: Local leader joins call to remove former Brazilian president from Central FloridaLocal lawmakers are calling for the expulsion of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro from the United States after he was released from a Central Florida hospital, Monday.
Osceola County getting more than $50M in federal money for NeoCITY development
Read full article: Osceola County getting more than $50M in federal money for NeoCITY developmentOsceola County will receive a huge influx of money from the federal government after it was awarded a grant to help with semiconductor production at the planned NeoCITY development.
The Weekly: Florida Congressman Soto talks Roe v. Wade, inflation
Read full article: The Weekly: Florida Congressman Soto talks Roe v. Wade, inflationU.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, joined anchor Justin Warmoth on "The Weekly" to discuss the potential ruling, inflation, and whether he believes the Biden Administration is doing enough to curb the high cost of living.
‘Our deepest fears are coming true:’ Florida lawmakers talk reproductive rights ahead of final decision on Roe
Read full article: ‘Our deepest fears are coming true:’ Florida lawmakers talk reproductive rights ahead of final decision on RoeU.S. Rep. Darren Soto said the Supreme Court is getting closer to taking away a "fundamental right" from women.
Florida lawmaker pushes Osceola sheriff for evidence in deadly deputy shooting at Target
Read full article: Florida lawmaker pushes Osceola sheriff for evidence in deadly deputy shooting at TargetA Florida lawmaker is now pressing the Osceola County Sheriff's Office to release more information about a deadly deputy shooting in the parking lot of a Target store five days ago.
Rep. Soto speaks out over immigration concerns in Florida as lines dry up
Read full article: Rep. Soto speaks out over immigration concerns in Florida as lines dry upWhile community leaders and politicians attempted to help those waiting, some have wondered: how did the situation become this extreme?
How population growth can change the political game in Florida
Read full article: How population growth can change the political game in FloridaIn Tallahassee right now, Florida lawmakers are beginning the once-in-a-decade process of redistricting and the state’s booming population can change the political game in Central Florida.
Rep. Darren Soto gets monoclonal antibody treatment after testing positive for COVID-19
Read full article: Rep. Darren Soto gets monoclonal antibody treatment after testing positive for COVID-19Rep. Darren Soto announced on Twitter he has tested positive for the coronavirus, despite being fully vaccinated.
More than 6,000 Central Florida families face possible eviction
Read full article: More than 6,000 Central Florida families face possible evictionOne week after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the CDC’s moratorium on evictions, Central Florida legal assistance organizations have seen an uptick in calls for help.
With 1,643 evictions filed Osceola County adds to eviction diversion program
Read full article: With 1,643 evictions filed Osceola County adds to eviction diversion programOsceola County leaders are adding a courthouse liaison for the county's eviction and foreclosure diversion program as 1,643 evictions have already been filed with the court.
Congressman Soto discusses Jan. 6 insurrection hearing, latest CDC recommendations
Read full article: Congressman Soto discusses Jan. 6 insurrection hearing, latest CDC recommendationsIt was a busy week in the U.S. capitol; between the Jan. 6th insurrection hearing and the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations that all Americans should wear a mask indoors in public spaces.
Congress designating Pulse massacre site a national memorial
Read full article: Congress designating Pulse massacre site a national memorialHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi has taken a formal step toward sending a bill to President Joe Biden that designates the site of the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ community in American history as a national memorial.
Mother, wife of Marine reunited with her family in Orlando after deportation in 2018
Read full article: Mother, wife of Marine reunited with her family in Orlando after deportation in 2018Rep. Darren Soto held a news conference on Wednesday to discuss the case of a mother who was recently reunited with her family after being deported in 2018.
Congressman Soto talks $1.9 trillion relief bill, Puerto Rico statehood
Read full article: Congressman Soto talks $1.9 trillion relief bill, Puerto Rico statehoodPresident Biden last week signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan as the world marked one year since the World Health Organization declared the virus a pandemic. [TRENDING: SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites | Weekend vaccine events for OCPS employees | Family speaks after deadly shooting]U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, discussed how the relief package will impact Central Floridians on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com with Justin Warmoth.”AdSoto also talked about the vaccine rollout, the possibility of Puerto Rico becoming a state and the ongoing security threat at the U.S. Capitol. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com 4pm Trending newsletter, sent every weekday.
US lawmakers introduce new bill aimed at making Puerto Rico a state
Read full article: US lawmakers introduce new bill aimed at making Puerto Rico a stateFILE - In this July 29, 2015 file photo, the Puerto Rican flag flies in front of Puerto Rico's Capitol as in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo, File)ORLANDO, Fla. – A group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill have introduced a new bill that would give Puerto Rico statehood. The Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act is being sponsored by Central Florida Rep. Darren Soto and Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting member of Congress. The measure aims to not only admit the island as a state but also allow the election of U.S. senators and representatives. In November, 52% of Puerto Rico residents voted in favor of immediate statehood.
Florida lawmakers attend presidential inauguration
Read full article: Florida lawmakers attend presidential inaugurationWith a significantly smaller crowd for Wednesday’s presidential inauguration, lawmakers from the Sunshine State will still represent Florida at the historic event. I will be attending the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris today. 3:15 p.m. | Biden, Dr. Biden, Harris and Emhoff receive a presidential escort to the White House. 8:48 p.m. | Biden, Dr. Biden, Harris and Emhoff attend “Celebrating America” program. 9:55 p.m. | President Biden and Dr. Biden appear on the Blue Room Balcony.
Central Florida lawmakers to attend Presidential inauguration
Read full article: Central Florida lawmakers to attend Presidential inaugurationORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The inaugural audience will be a lot smaller this year, but some Central Florida lawmakers will be in attendance. As members of the 117th Congress, Democrat Representatives Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy, and Val Demings are expected to be in attendance. Congressman Darren Soto of Kissimmee said the nation’s Capitol was secure on the eve of the inauguration of the 46th president. [TRENDING: Fla. leads nation in cases with new COVID variant | 12-year-old Orlando girl still missing | Biden inauguration will be different]“The Capitol is very secure. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said that he will be attending the inauguration as a guest of his wife, Congresswoman Val Demings.
Here’s why residents welcome changes at Orlando’s Stanton Energy Plant
Read full article: Here’s why residents welcome changes at Orlando’s Stanton Energy PlantORLANDO, Fla. – Over the next five years, the iconic Stanton Energy Plant will be replacing the coal it now uses to generate electricity with natural gas. Trudell took News 6 inside the Stanton plant to show what this conversion would look like. Coal is stores in piles outside of the Stanton Energy Plant in Orange County. According to previous reports, eight other coal-burning plants in the state have either converted to natural gas, or they are in the middle of transitioning. He said the conversion to natural gas at Stanton has been a long time in coming.
Here’s how Central Florida lawmakers voted on President Trump’s impeachment
Read full article: Here’s how Central Florida lawmakers voted on President Trump’s impeachmentPresident Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice on Wednesday. Murphy noted 10 republicans voted to impeach Trump in the House vote. Waltz voted to not impeach President Trump. The charge states President Trump endangered the security of the United States and the institutions of Government. It will take a 2/3 majority vote in the Senate to convict President Trump.
‘We were told to pull out our gas masks,’ Florida Congressman describes Capitol breach by Trump supporters
Read full article: ‘We were told to pull out our gas masks,’ Florida Congressman describes Capitol breach by Trump supporters“When we started getting messages from our staff that violent protesters motivated by insightful language from Trump had reached the Capitol,” Soto said. Officials declared the U.S. Capitol complex “secure” after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of Trump. Republican and Democratic officials are directly blaming the sitting president for the storming of the Capitol by huge, angry crowds of pro-Trump protesters. Trump supporters stormed the barriers around the Capitol building, swarming the steps and breaking windows to into the building, video shows. Grayson agreed with other former and current lawmakers calling on Trump to step down from office.
Rep. Soto urges US House committee to investigate Florida’s reporting of COVID-19 deaths
Read full article: Rep. Soto urges US House committee to investigate Florida’s reporting of COVID-19 deathsCalifornia reported more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases and 293 deaths on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, setting new daily records as hospitals struggled to keep up with the surge. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep Darren Soto, a Democrat who represents Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, is asking that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce investigate possible inconsistencies in Florida’s reporting of COVID-19 deaths around the time of the general election. Soto, along with Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, wrote a letter on Friday to Chairman Frank Pallone requesting the investigation. The letter comes as Florida continues to report thousands of new coronavirus cases each day. On Friday, the state reported more than 13,000 cases for the second consecutive day, bringing the state’s overall total to 1,181,483 cases since March.
Congressman Soto discusses COVID relief package, Puerto Rico statehood on ‘The Weekly’
Read full article: Congressman Soto discusses COVID relief package, Puerto Rico statehood on ‘The Weekly’ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s been eight months since Congress passed the CARES Act but finding common ground for the next COVID relief package remains to be seen. While there’s broad support among members from both parties, they sharply disagree on the size and scope of it. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) joined News 6 anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com” to discuss the timeline for another relief package and the promising news when it comes to a vaccine. On election day, Puerto Ricans voted “yes” on statehood, but the vote was non-binding -- meaning it would need Congressional approval before it can move forward. “Puerto Rico needs to become a state,” Soto said.
Trump wins Florida; voters raise minimum wage to $15
Read full article: Trump wins Florida; voters raise minimum wage to $15— District 3: Republican Kat Cammack has won Florida’s U.S. House seat held by her former boss, retiring Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho. He defeated Democrat Donna Deegan, a former television news anchor who has worked to raise money for breast cancer research and to help patients. — District 15: Republican Scott Franklin has won Florida Rep. Ross Spano’s seat in the U.S. House. Deutch was first elected in 2010 and represents a firmly Democratic district that includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. A supermajority of Florida voters approved the amendment to the Florida Constitution that will raise Florida’s minimum wage from the current $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026.
Meet the candidates: Here are the Republicans running for US House District 9
Read full article: Meet the candidates: Here are the Republicans running for US House District 9Four Republican congressional candidates will be on the Florida August primary ballot for the U.S. House District 9. The U.S. House 9th District includes all of Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk counties. [2020 VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Floridas primary election]In the last three elections, the District has elected Democratic candidates. Meet the Republican primary candidates below:Jose CastilloJose Castillo. He is also an ordained minister and his campaign slogan is faith, family, freedom. According to his campaign website, Ortiz is pro-life and pro-tax reform.
Florida Democrats hope VP pick Kamala Harris will revitalize political party
Read full article: Florida Democrats hope VP pick Kamala Harris will revitalize political partyThe presidential election is 11 weeks away and now that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has chosen his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, News 6s political analyst weighed in on the vice presidential pick and that means for the weeks ahead. Kamala Harris is gonna be able to hit several boxes. Shes African American and shes Asian.Clark said in 2016 the Democratic party lacked enthusiasm and greater voter turnout by the African American community. Soto and Harris both worked together in issues regarding Puerto Rico and during relief efforts for the island after Hurricane Maria. Kamala Harris extreme positions, from raising taxes to abolishing private health insurance to comparing law enforcement officials to the KKK, show that the left-wing mob is controlling Bidens candidacy, just like they would control him as president.
Florida representatives push to make Pulse nightclub a National Memorial Site
Read full article: Florida representatives push to make Pulse nightclub a National Memorial SiteORLANDO, Fla. – Democratic Rep. Darren Soto, of Florida, announced Friday that he is submitting legislation to establish the Pulse nightclub as a federally recognized National Memorial Site. The legislation was a combined effort between Soto, along with Florida Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings. The bill will be brought to the House floor for a vote by the end of June, according to a news release. “I am pleased to announce that Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has committed to bringing our bill to the House Floor for a vote before the end of June. According to a new release, the legislation passed by unanimous consent on March 11 in the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Florida congressman says additional coronavirus financial relief may be needed
Read full article: Florida congressman says additional coronavirus financial relief may be needed“There is still going to be additional help that may be needed,” the Democrat told News 6 Monday. Despite a big trading day on Wall Street, Soto was more concerned with the wave of unemployment that has gripped Central Florida. [Financial Fight: News 6 town hall focuses on economy during coronavirus pandemic]“My main concern is Main Street rather than Wall Street,” Soto said. “Basically this is day 15 of my process of filing for unemployment.”Tosney’s 9-year old son Christian is attending classes through distance learning. If you have an issue regarding unemployment benefits, your budget or stimulus checks email mholfeld@wkmg.com
Rep. Darren Soto fights for infrastructure funding as Central Florida grows
Read full article: Rep. Darren Soto fights for infrastructure funding as Central Florida growsSoto, who represents Osceola and Orange Counties, is hoping to get some of that money to Central Florida. “I write today to bring your awareness to drinking-water discoloration in portions of St. Cloud,” Soto wrote in the letter on Friday. Cloud city officials, the one resident with black water was due to a construction issue. Cloud officials said more than two years ago their water polishers broke, sending sediment into the water system. City officials shared pictures with News 6 Thursday showing how they say it’s working.
Lawmakers react to one-year anniversary of Pulse
Read full article: Lawmakers react to one-year anniversary of PulseORLANDO, Fla. – Florida and national lawmakers have come out in support of Orlando and the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, which took place exactly one year ago Monday. Guilty of nothing more than celebrating who they are, 49 Pulse victims lost their lives, and more than 50 others were injured in a horrific act of gun violence." Join me in taking a moment to remember the 49 innocent lives lost one year ago today in the #Orlando terrorist attack. We will NEVER FORGET the victims who lost their lives one year ago today in the horrific #PulseNightClub shooting. #OrlandoUnitedDay pic.twitter.com/OFFUVAFBJM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2017One year later, we honor 49 of our fellow Americans of @pulseorlando and continue to pray for their families.