INSIDER
New images show state inspection of Disney World monorail
Read full article: New images show state inspection of Disney World monorailNewly-released images from the Florida Department of Transportation show engineers conducting the state’s first-ever inspection of the Walt Disney World monorail system shortly after FDOT was granted oversight authority last year.
‘Customer service crisis’ at Social Security Administration leaves Florida family in limbo
Read full article: ‘Customer service crisis’ at Social Security Administration leaves Florida family in limboThe Social Security Administration is dealing with a customer service crisis, leaving thousands of families waiting for their disability benefits applications to be reviewed.
Lost leadership: How a small Florida town nearly found itself without a mayor for 10 days
Read full article: Lost leadership: How a small Florida town nearly found itself without a mayor for 10 daysA town of just 1,800 residents nearly found itself without a mayor due to a puzzling standoff over election procedures.
Florida troopers helped detain hundreds of illegal migrants in Texas, new records reveal
Read full article: Florida troopers helped detain hundreds of illegal migrants in Texas, new records revealFlorida Highway Patrol troopers, accompanied by Texas law enforcement officers, helped locate and detain more than 1,600 undocumented immigrants near the Mexico border between mid-February and mid-August while assisting with the arrests of alleged human traffickers, drug smugglers and gang members, agency records obtained by News 6 show.
1990 child rape evidence ‘disposed’ by Melbourne police, thwarting arrest
Read full article: 1990 child rape evidence ‘disposed’ by Melbourne police, thwarting arrestEvidence related to the 1990 rape of an 11-year-old girl was disposed by the Melbourne Police Department sometime over the past three decades, a newly released audit reveals, but the agency cannot determine when or why it was destroyed or who authorized it.
Florida researchers want to stop cows from burping. Here’s why
Read full article: Florida researchers want to stop cows from burping. Here’s whyCows produce your milk and beef, but what these big animals belch up is a big contributor to climate change. Researchers at the University of Florida are working to find a solution.
Beware of fake student loan forgiveness offers
Read full article: Beware of fake student loan forgiveness offersIn 2022, President Biden introduced a plan to relieve thousands of dollars in student debt for low to middle-income borrowers. However, the plan faced several challenges, and scammers have exploited this uncertainty.
TIMELINE: News 6 investigation changes Florida law on safe lithium-ion battery storage
Read full article: TIMELINE: News 6 investigation changes Florida law on safe lithium-ion battery storageA News 6 investigation resulted in a new law that allows the State Fire Marshal to establish new safety rules for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries. Here is the timeline of how our investigation progressed.
Solar panels at Orlando apartment complex mean lower bills for tenants
Read full article: Solar panels at Orlando apartment complex mean lower bills for tenantsRenters at an Orlando apartment complex are among the first in the nation to start using solar energy to reduce their individual electric bills.
Voters in Marion, Orange counties to fund school construction with sales taxes
Read full article: Voters in Marion, Orange counties to fund school construction with sales taxesVoters in two Central Florida counties on Tuesday night said they wanted to pay a half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, renovations and maintenance costs for public schools.
AARP issues election scam warning to protect voters from last-minute schemes
Read full article: AARP issues election scam warning to protect voters from last-minute schemesWith Election Day just around the corner, AARP is urging voters to remain vigilant against potential scams and misinformation campaigns that often target voters as they head to the polls.
‘They got me:’ Popular podcast invitation schemes target social media, credit card info
Read full article: ‘They got me:’ Popular podcast invitation schemes target social media, credit card infoAs podcasts gain popularity, many individuals are receiving enticing invitations to appear as guests on well-known shows.
Central Florida tax preparers plead guilty to fraud charges
Read full article: Central Florida tax preparers plead guilty to fraud chargesThree tax preparers accused of fraudulently helping Central Florida customers obtain large income tax refunds have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.
‘We have a crisis situation:’ Voters in Marion, Orange counties to decide whether to fund school renovations
Read full article: ‘We have a crisis situation:’ Voters in Marion, Orange counties to decide whether to fund school renovationsVoters are heading to the polls in two Central Florida counties to decide whether they want to pay a half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, renovations and maintenance costs for public schools.
Fake podcast invites promise money, but steal your social media
Read full article: Fake podcast invites promise money, but steal your social mediaNames like Fearne Cotton, Rachel Hollis and even Tony Robbins can catch your attention, offering to feature you as a guest on their podcasts. They may even promise as much as $3,000 for a 45-minute interview. But, as they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it often is.
4 times in 7 years: How much will FEMA pay to purchase this flooded Ormond Beach home?
Read full article: 4 times in 7 years: How much will FEMA pay to purchase this flooded Ormond Beach home?An Ormond Beach couple hopes the federal government will approve their application to purchase their flooded home, but they fear they could be shortchanged in the process.
Florida’s election supervisors discuss handcounting ballots, polling place challenges ahead of Nov. 5
Read full article: Florida’s election supervisors discuss handcounting ballots, polling place challenges ahead of Nov. 5In a recent discussion, Central Florida election supervisors addressed a range of concerns about the upcoming election, including polling place accessibility and the potential impact of hand-counting ballots.
How Florida’s election supervisors try to build and maintain trust in the voting process
Read full article: How Florida’s election supervisors try to build and maintain trust in the voting processAs election season approaches, Central Florida's election supervisors are confronting not only logistical challenges but also ongoing skepticism from election deniers.
Millions of dollars intended for surrogates vanished, families claim
Read full article: Millions of dollars intended for surrogates vanished, families claimA Central Florida couple who recently became parents through surrogacy is among hundreds of families worldwide who claim they’ve been defrauded by an escrow company that was supposed to handle payments to surrogates.
Intimidation, apathy worry Central Florida’s election supervisors ahead of November vote
Read full article: Intimidation, apathy worry Central Florida’s election supervisors ahead of November voteIn a recent interview with News 6, election supervisors from five Central Florida counties shared their thoughts on the upcoming November election, highlighting both optimism and concern.
‘US Marshals had a warrant for my arrest:’ Orlando man exonerated after spending 2 years in prison
Read full article: ‘US Marshals had a warrant for my arrest:’ Orlando man exonerated after spending 2 years in prisonAn Orlando man has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Orlando and several Orlando police officers after spending two years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Researcher: Orlando homeless arrests up significantly ahead of new law banning sleeping in public
Read full article: Researcher: Orlando homeless arrests up significantly ahead of new law banning sleeping in publicA University of Central Florida researcher claims the homeless population in downtown Orlando already faced a rising number of arrests ahead of a new state law that will ban sleeping on public property.
Unemployment woes: Salesperson’s story triggers wave of requests as Floridians face delays
Read full article: Unemployment woes: Salesperson’s story triggers wave of requests as Floridians face delaysEver since News 6 featured an Orlando salesperson who waited more than three months for Florida unemployment benefits, Make Ends Meet has received an additional 17 requests from viewers with the same issue.
Orlando family evicted from affordable housing complex despite overpaying rent
Read full article: Orlando family evicted from affordable housing complex despite overpaying rentA mother and her children faced eviction from their affordable housing unit in Orlando last month despite overpaying her rent by more than $1,000.
‘We have a homeless problem:’ What is Melbourne doing about it?
Read full article: ‘We have a homeless problem:’ What is Melbourne doing about it?News 6 viewers said the number of homeless people on the streets of Melbourne has risen over the last few years, and they are concerned about what is being done about it.
‘I just found out I have prostate cancer:’ News 6 reporter shares unexpected journey
Read full article: ‘I just found out I have prostate cancer:’ News 6 reporter shares unexpected journeyNews 6 investigator Erik Sandoval was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2024. His investigation uncovers the push to get more younger men screened.
Florida prosecutors: No convictions of bringing a weapon on school property in last 5 years
Read full article: Florida prosecutors: No convictions of bringing a weapon on school property in last 5 yearsA News 6 investigation has uncovered Florida prosecutors have not reported one conviction for bringing a weapon on a school campus over the last five years, despite law enforcement making 40 arrests.
A look at the evidence against Madeline Soto’s accused killer
Read full article: A look at the evidence against Madeline Soto’s accused killerA police dog trained to identify the scent of dead bodies “alerted” on a car belonging to missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto’s mother, while traffic cameras captured videos of the mother’s boyfriend driving around Central Florida with the teen’s lifeless body in the front seat of his car, according to investigators.
Why did Stephan Sterns make a 300-mile trip while investigators searched for Madeline Soto?
Read full article: Why did Stephan Sterns make a 300-mile trip while investigators searched for Madeline Soto?While police were still searching for missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto in February, the man now accused of murdering the teen allegedly took a mysterious, early-morning road trip to Southwest Florida.
A closer look at Madeline Soto’s home and what investigators found there
Read full article: A closer look at Madeline Soto’s home and what investigators found thereNewly released crime scene photos reveal what detectives found inside the condominium where 13-year-old Madeline Soto lived with her mother Jennifer and Jennifer’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, just before the teen disappeared in February.
Here’s how the search for Madeline Soto began after she was reported missing
Read full article: Here’s how the search for Madeline Soto began after she was reported missingNew details are emerging about law enforcement’s efforts to locate 13-year-old Madeline Soto after she failed to show up for class at Hunter’s Creek Middle School in February and was reported missing.
Draft of new Florida safety rules outline ways to prevent lithium-ion battery fires
Read full article: Draft of new Florida safety rules outline ways to prevent lithium-ion battery firesThe Florida Department of Financial Services held its first hearing in Tallahassee on Thursday designed to help craft new safety rules on the storage of lithium-ion batteries.
Draft of new Florida safety rules outlines ways to prevent lithium-ion battery fires
Read full article: Draft of new Florida safety rules outlines ways to prevent lithium-ion battery firesThe Florida Department of Financial Services held its first hearing in Tallahassee on Thursday designed to help craft new safety rules on the storage of lithium-ion batteries.
Melbourne family faces $12K electric bill after meter tampering
Read full article: Melbourne family faces $12K electric bill after meter tamperingA Melbourne family has been stuck with a $12,000 electric bill after their power company discovered someone had tampered with their meter limiting how much usage was being reported.
Florida lawmakers struggle to curb roofing fraud in insurance market
Read full article: Florida lawmakers struggle to curb roofing fraud in insurance marketCora Hayes and her husband had just replaced the roof on their Ocala home when she says they were approached by an employee from another roofing company.
Orlando man waited more than 3 months for unemployment benefits
Read full article: Orlando man waited more than 3 months for unemployment benefitsAfter reviewing his records, Make Ends Meet confirmed salesperson David Catalano’s account is active and eligible for $3,300, but is on hold due to a “pending issue awaiting adjudication determination.”
Are those online 5-star reviews too good to be true? Here’s what to look for
Read full article: Are those online 5-star reviews too good to be true? Here’s what to look forA former federal investigator has uncovered a pattern of positive reviews that she is convinced are the product of 5-star fakes for sale.
Florida Highway Patrol spent millions sending troopers to Texas-Mexico border
Read full article: Florida Highway Patrol spent millions sending troopers to Texas-Mexico borderThe Florida Highway Patrol spent at least $13.5 million over 10 months deploying troopers to the U.S.-Mexico border, records show. That’s about the same cost as hiring 48 new troopers with vehicles.
Property insurance market shows ‘signs of stabilization,’ Florida says
Read full article: Property insurance market shows ‘signs of stabilization,’ Florida saysIn crisis for years, Florida's troubled property insurance market is showing small signs of improvement, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
‘Something illegal is going on:’ Homeowner receives more than 600 traffic citations, toll bills addressed to strangers
Read full article: ‘Something illegal is going on:’ Homeowner receives more than 600 traffic citations, toll bills addressed to strangersSeveral times a week, Pattie Malone stops by her neighborhood mailbox and pulls out a large stack of envelopes that often includes traffic citations, parking tickets, and tollway invoices.
Osceola sheriff accused of sharing Madeline Soto crime scene photo. Here’s his response
Read full article: Osceola sheriff accused of sharing Madeline Soto crime scene photo. Here’s his responseAfter the state attorney threatened to place him on a database dedicated to law enforcement officers accused of misconduct, the Osceola County Sheriff is trying to clear up what he says is a “misinterpretation of a quote” surrounding a controversial crime scene photo posted on social media.
‘We’re hiring!’ A tech company’s search for ‘cyber heroes’
Read full article: ‘We’re hiring!’ A tech company’s search for ‘cyber heroes’ThreatLocker, a cybersecurity firm based in Orlando, is significantly expanding its workforce in response to a growing wave of cyber-attacks targeting businesses across the United States.
How ‘Brady’ lists help prosecutors track police misconduct
Read full article: How ‘Brady’ lists help prosecutors track police misconductWhen a law enforcement officer who has been accused of untruthfulness or other misconduct is preparing to testify at a criminal trial, prosecutors have a constitutional duty to notify the defendant about the officer's background.
State attorney questions Osceola sheriff’s truthfulness over Madeline Soto crime scene photo
Read full article: State attorney questions Osceola sheriff’s truthfulness over Madeline Soto crime scene photoFour months after Osceola County Sheriff Lopez posted a crime scene photo on Instagram that allegedly showed the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, the state attorney is raising questions about inconsistent statements made by the sheriff during an investigation into the confidential image.
‘The hotel burned down,’ but a Florida woman’s reservation refund was denied
Read full article: ‘The hotel burned down,’ but a Florida woman’s reservation refund was deniedA Maitland woman, who spent hundreds of dollars to secure a hotel room for a trip to Mississippi, was denied a refund after the hotel caught fire and shut down.
SunPass and FasTrak imposters send texts to News 6 employees. Here’s what happened
Read full article: SunPass and FasTrak imposters send texts to News 6 employees. Here’s what happenedWhen News 6 Investigator Erik Sandoval received a text stating that he had used the FasTrak Express Lane, he knew right away that it was a fake.
Brevard County ranks among areas with biggest jump in ocean temperature
Read full article: Brevard County ranks among areas with biggest jump in ocean temperatureBrevard County ocean temperatures are rising faster than other parts of the country, raising concerns about the impact of the warmer waters.
‘This is home:’ Feds recommend projects to prevent future flooding in Astor
Read full article: ‘This is home:’ Feds recommend projects to prevent future flooding in AstorThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has developed a list of projects aimed at protecting the Astor area of Lake County from repeated flooding during hurricanes.
Winter Springs emergency fire hydrant inspections find 27 broken out of 1,200
Read full article: Winter Springs emergency fire hydrant inspections find 27 broken out of 1,200The City of Winter Springs has largely finished checking, testing and, if necessary, repairing all 1,200 fire hydrants citywide after three didn’t work when there was a fire earlier this year.
Governor approves new safeguards for Florida homeowners applying for clean energy home improvement loans
Read full article: Governor approves new safeguards for Florida homeowners applying for clean energy home improvement loansNew safeguards are now in place to protect consumers applying for clean energy home improvement loans in Florida, but some legislators claim they are still not enough.
305,000 Florida vehicles still on road with faulty Takata airbags
Read full article: 305,000 Florida vehicles still on road with faulty Takata airbagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. still have unrepaired or “unfixed” Takata airbags.
Winter Garden homeless organization moves to evict client from transitional housing
Read full article: Winter Garden homeless organization moves to evict client from transitional housingA homeless outreach center moved to evict some of its clients from its transitional housing program after they refused to leave.
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.
Orlando Music Festival producer sentenced to 20 years in prison for fraud
Read full article: Orlando Music Festival producer sentenced to 20 years in prison for fraudThe executive producer of what would have been the Orlando Music Festival has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud charges.
US Secret Service leads 3-city Florida sweep for illegal skimming devices
Read full article: US Secret Service leads 3-city Florida sweep for illegal skimming devicesA joint law enforcement effort led by the U. S Secret Service Thursday dismantled 13 illegal devices, a move the agency projected would prevent $3.9 million in stolen EBT funds in Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville.
‘Not going to take that in our state:’ Corporations buying Florida mobile home parks, raising rates
Read full article: ‘Not going to take that in our state:’ Corporations buying Florida mobile home parks, raising ratesA state lawmaker says large corporations are buying up mobile home parks in Florida and jacking up the prices.
Winter Garden homeless organization claims ’squatters’ shut down housing program
Read full article: Winter Garden homeless organization claims ’squatters’ shut down housing programA homeless outreach organization has halted its transitional housing program after one of its clients refused to leave after being kicked out of the program.
News 6 Investigator Mike Holfeld says farewell after 25 years
Read full article: News 6 Investigator Mike Holfeld says farewell after 25 yearsThe veteran reporter has been responsible for covering tragedies, helping pass critical legislation, and getting results for scam victims through his popular “Make Ends Meet” program. Now, he's set to say goodbye.
News 6 Mike DeForest’s coverage of Florida records delays nominated for open government award
Read full article: News 6 Mike DeForest’s coverage of Florida records delays nominated for open government awardNews 6 Investigator Mike DeForest is one of five nominees for a prestigious reward honoring Florida journalists committed to government transparency.
Florida’s property insurance market shows small signs of improvement. Homeowners aren’t sure.
Read full article: Florida’s property insurance market shows small signs of improvement. Homeowners aren’t sure.Florida's troubled property insurance market is showing small signs of improvement, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation and the Chief Financial Officer.
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.”
‘How could my name be linked to drug trafficking?’ Orlando-area woman targeted by DEA Social Security imposters
Read full article: ‘How could my name be linked to drug trafficking?’ Orlando-area woman targeted by DEA Social Security impostersA retired Orlando-area resident is the first to report a double imposter scheme that combined an email alert from the Social Security Administration and a phone conversation with a DEA agent.
Florida rules process begins for lithium-ion battery storage to prevent fires
Read full article: Florida rules process begins for lithium-ion battery storage to prevent firesChanges in Florida-- after a News 6 investigation exposed there are no rules for safely storing batteries known to overheat and catch fire.
Septic-to-sewer project in Montverde divides residents as Florida moves to protect water quality
Read full article: Septic-to-sewer project in Montverde divides residents as Florida moves to protect water qualitySome homeowners have concerns and questions about a new sewer system that is in the works for the town of Montverde.
Central Florida tax preparers arrested on federal fraud charges
Read full article: Central Florida tax preparers arrested on federal fraud chargesOwners and employees of a Central Florida tax preparation company have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of customers between 2017 and 2020, court records show.
Do you want to get arrested or go to treatment? State attorney seeks to bring new facility to Central Florida
Read full article: Do you want to get arrested or go to treatment? State attorney seeks to bring new facility to Central FloridaOrange and Osceola County State Attorney Andrew Bain explores creating a mental health diversion program for some suspects arrested for low-level crimes.
New rechargeable battery safety rules coming after News 6 investigation
Read full article: New rechargeable battery safety rules coming after News 6 investigationGov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday that gives the State Fire Marshal new powers to help prevent fires ignited by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Former FDLE official says DeSantis airplane records ‘should be disclosed’
Read full article: Former FDLE official says DeSantis airplane records ‘should be disclosed’A former official with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement believes records related to Governor Ron DeSantis’ past airplane trips should be disclosed to the public despite a recent state law prohibiting the release of certain gubernatorial travel and security records.
‘If I had that much water I’d be walking in mud:’ The Villages residents frustrated over high water bills
Read full article: ‘If I had that much water I’d be walking in mud:’ The Villages residents frustrated over high water billsThe 89-year-old showed News 6 her water bills. We noticed Miller typically used around 12,000-14,000 gallons of water a month, but one bill spiked to more than 35,000 gallons.
Central Florida couple falls victim to ‘puppies for sale’ scheme
Read full article: Central Florida couple falls victim to ‘puppies for sale’ schemeWhen Jo and Jerry Hatley‘s dog passed away, they wanted to fill the void with a new puppy. As luck would have it, the couple found two puppies offered on Facebook, yet the ensuing 4-hour drive to pick them up would only end in heartbreak.
Florida insurance market showing signs of improvement, report says
Read full article: Florida insurance market showing signs of improvement, report saysIn crisis for years, Florida’s troubled property insurance market is showing small signs of improvement, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
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.
Osceola County community blames new housing construction for flooding neighborhood
Read full article: Osceola County community blames new housing construction for flooding neighborhoodResidents said they did not receive any notification about the construction next door because the project is happening in a different city.