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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announces Re-election at State of the City Address
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced that he plans to run for re-election as he concluded his 2015 “State of the City” speech before an overflow crowd Wednesday morning at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
“My journey here is not done yet,” Dyer told the crowd. “There is so much more that we can accomplish together. But I can promise you this: My passion for Orlando is larger today than it’s ever been.”
Dyer’s 30 minute speech focused on generating high quality jobs, sustainability, transportation, ending homeless, public safety, City for everyone, and efficient government as his outlined some of the city’s biggest accomplishments.
“We opened this amazing facility, we reconstructed our Orlando Citrus Bowl, secured a Major League Soccer team and broke ground on their stadium, added eight iconic sculptures downtown, kicked off SunRail and started planning a downtown UCF-Valencia campus,” he said.
State funds for that new soccer stadium are in limbo as the Florida Legislature’s impasse on the state’s budget grinds on. Mayor Dyer also addressed homelessness. He said since 2011, Central Florida has seen a 57 percent reduction in veteran homelessness. He said he wants to end veteran homelessness completely by the end of this year.
Dyer also spoke about new initiatives with the Orlando Police department, which will include more community outreach and the deployment of body cameras.
The goal is to create a mutual trust and respect between the officers and the community, in light of two OPD officers recently being punished for using excessive force and the state of police relations nationwide.
“We have seen on a national level what happens when divides form between police and communities and it is important that we take proactive measures to insure that doesn’t happen here,” said Dyer.
According to Dyer, the City of Orlando has worked to become one of the most sustainable cities in America to ensure that we protect our natural resources and amenities for our residents and future generations to come. In his speech, Dyer declared Orlando is the most sustainable City in the Southeast. He pointed to Greener Buildings, Greener Fleet, Increasing Recycling, Reducing Food Waste, Reducing City Energy Costs, and Electric Vehicles. Dyer also announced the launch of one person, one tree campaign to increase our canopy from 25% to 40% by 2040.
“Protecting our natural resources is key to sustainability in America,” Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales told the Florida National News, who also attended Mayor Dyer’s State of the City Address. I support Mayor Dyer’s efforts to turn neighborhoods into EcoDistricts and would like to see this program implemented across Orange County, expressed Morales, a first time elected official elected to countywide office.
There’s a proposal moving forward to hold city elections this November instead of next year.
State of the City Event Photos:
Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Photo: Florida National News
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
Photo: Florida National News
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Photo: Florida National News
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
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