ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The wait is over for music lovers across Central Florida. Star 94.5’s 5th Annual Heart & Soul Music Festival returns on Saturday, October 11, 2025, bringing an unforgettable night of soul, R&B, and funk to the Apopka Amphitheater.

Star-Studded Lineup

This year’s festival showcases some of the biggest names in soulful music. Headliners include Morris Day & The Time, The SOS Band, Dru Hill, Carl Thomas, and Chante Moore—each bringing their own timeless hits and electrifying performances to the stage. From funk classics like “Jungle Love” to smooth ballads like “I Wish,” the 2025 lineup promises an evening of nostalgia and nonstop energy.

Festival Details

• Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

• Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.

• Time: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

• Location: Apopka Amphitheater – 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway, Apopka, FL 32712

Labor Day Weekend Ticket Special

Fans can take advantage of a 20% discount on General Admission tickets during Labor Day weekend only. Use promo code Star20 at checkout for savings.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of Central Florida’s most anticipated music events of the year.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will host two public hearings on the proposed $8.3 billion Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The hearings are scheduled for Thursday, September 4, and Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. inside the BCC Chambers at the Orange County Administration Center.

Affordable Housing and Transportatio

Orange County continues its Housing For All initiative, with nearly 3,000 affordable units already created. For FY 2025-26, $17.7 million has been allocated to the affordable housing trust fund as part of a ten-year, $160 million commitment.
Transportation improvements remain a major priority, with $23.9 million designated for the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program, building on more than 60 completed projects in the program’s first year. This is part of a five-year investment of over $100 million in safety and efficiency upgrades.

Public Safety and Parks

Public safety remains one of the largest investments, with more than $1 billion allocated across Fire Rescue ($575M), Corrections ($220M), and the Sheriff’s Office ($446M). The budget supports new staff, infrastructure improvements, and additional fire stations to maintain rapid response times.
The county will also invest $133 million in Parks and Recreation for 15 Capital Improvement projects to enhance parks, trails, and recreational amenities across Orange County.

Utilities and Essential Services

For FY 2025-26, Orange County will invest $297.9 million in utility infrastructure, covering water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and solid waste systems. As an enterprise fund, Orange County Utilities is funded through customer rates and fees, not tax dollars, ensuring continued delivery of essential services.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Tuesday that they have signed 17 players to their practice squad, officially filling the unit to capacity.

Among the signees are several familiar faces from training camp, including offensive lineman Lorenz Metz, who enters via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and does not count against the team’s practice squad limit. In total, 14 of the 17 players were with the Buccaneers during training camp.

The full list of players signed includes:
QB Connor Bazelak, DL C.J. Brewer, DL Adam Gotsis, WR Garrett Greene, G Luke Haggard, CB Bryce Hall, S Jack Henderson, WR Dennis Houston, DL Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DL Jayson Jones, OL Michael Jordan, OLB Mohamed Kamara, T Tyler McLellan, T Lorenz Metz, G Ben Scott, and TE Tanner Taula.

Notable New Additions
Safety Jack Henderson (6-2, 215) joins the Buccaneers from the Carolina Panthers, who waived him on August 26, 2025. Henderson previously starred at Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Minnesota, where he combined for 266 tackles, nine interceptions, and 9.0 sacks across 59 career games. Henderson will wear No. 30 in Tampa Bay.

Defensive lineman Jayson Jones (6-6, 340) arrives from the Baltimore Ravens, also waived on August 26. Jones played at Auburn and Oregon, finishing his college career with 83 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 50 games. The Alabama native will wear No. 93 for the Buccaneers.

Linebacker Mohamed Kamara (6-1, 253) comes from the Miami Dolphins, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. A dominant force at Colorado State, Kamara recorded 30.5 career sacks and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as one of the nation’s top defensive ends. He will wear No. 59 in Tampa Bay.

Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Shilo Sanders Faces Another NFL Setback
One notable absence from Tampa Bay’s practice squad is safety Shilo Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and brother of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Shilo, who was waived during the Buccaneers’ final roster cuts, did not make the team’s practice squad, marking another difficult setback in his young NFL career. His release raises questions about where he may land next as he continues to fight for a spot in the league.

Practice Squad Outlook
With the squad finalized, the Buccaneers have a mix of promising rookies, developmental prospects, and experienced veterans ready to step up during the 2025 season. The depth and versatility across the roster provide Tampa Bay with important flexibility as the team celebrates its 50th anniversary season.

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J Willie David, III | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com