Central Florida News
Florida Congressman Darren Soto, EPA Announce $188.3M Loan to Toho Water Authority
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN) – Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Mae Wu announced a transformative $188.3 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Toho Water Authority. This federal funding will modernize water infrastructure in Osceola and Polk Counties, ensuring a resilient water supply for over 450,000 residents.
“We are thrilled to secure this $188 million WIFIA loan for Toho Water Authority, which will play a crucial role in protecting clean water, preserving our environment, and meeting the needs of our rapidly growing community,” said Rep. Soto. “This investment is a significant step towards a sustainable water future for Central Florida.”
The WIFIA loan will support the Toho Water Authority’s One Water Initiative, designed to reduce reliance on fresh groundwater by expanding water treatment facilities and improving the drinking water distribution system. The initiative will also implement cutting-edge technologies to enhance water quality, increase system resilience, and reduce operational costs. The project, expected to create approximately 1,750 jobs, aligns with the state’s Central Florida Water Initiative rule and aims to protect the environment by reducing effluent discharges.
“This $188.3 million loan will fund key upgrades that are essential for public health, environmental protection, and economic growth in Central Florida,” said EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator Mae Wu. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment in America’s infrastructure, we’re ensuring a sustainable water future for communities across the nation.”
Toho Water Authority’s CEO/Executive Director Todd Swingle expressed gratitude for the continued support: “Supported by this WIFIA financing, Toho’s One Water Initiative will deliver a portfolio of water projects to responsibly serve our rapidly growing Central Florida community in the years and decades to come.”
The U.S. EPA’s WIFIA program has been instrumental in accelerating water infrastructure investment nationwide, having announced over $20 billion in financing to support $44 billion in projects, creating approximately 150,000 jobs. This latest loan to the Toho Water Authority is part of a master agreement that will commit a total of $292 million in WIFIA assistance to the authority.
Central Florida News
Commissioner Uribe Announces New Date for Hispanic Heritage Festival Due to Weather
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Commissioner Uribe announced that the Hispanic Heritage Festival has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. The event will now take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave., Orlando.
The festival will celebrate the rich history, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through live music, dance performances, food and community resources.
Scheduled highlights include:
- Live music by youth orchestra The Nucleus Orchestral.
- Dance performances featuring Maria Saavedra of FusionFest with Huellas de Colombia, Unidos for Ecuador and Mexico Dansa.
- Food from Zaza.
- Community resources from 311 and other participants.
Join Commissioner Uribe and the community for a morning celebrating Hispanic and Latino heritage.
NEW DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
TIME: 9 a.m. to noon
LOCATION: Cypress Grove Park
ADDRESS: 290 Holden Ave., Orlando, FL 32839
New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.
USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.
USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.
Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.
Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.
FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13
Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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