Wishing all who celebrate a joyous day.

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah, the Festival of Light. VoxPopuli wishes everyone who celebrates a happy Chanukah, filled with lots of dreidl spinning and chocolate gelt. Chag Sameach!

Waking up today to the news of the anti-Jewish #BondiShooting in Australia on the first day of Chanukah. VoxPopuli stands with the Jewish community in solidarity against acts of terror like this one. We also stand with the Palestinian community against the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza.

@mackoxenden.bsky.social Sorry to hear what happened in Sarasota. I run a small but respected digital news nonprofit in West Orange County and I'm looking for freelance reporters to cover local government and politics. Chat?

Five doesn't seem like a lot, but after eight months of no arrests, five in three weeks has us wondering what's up.

This is a huge win for boathouse owners who have literally fought city hall for three years to hold on to their private property. The judge, in his ruling, said there was "nothing equitable or fair about the goal [Windermere] is trying to achieve or the manner in which it is trying to achieve it."

West Orange County, Florida folks! Join us for our second annual benefit concert on Nov. 8 in honor of American Standards like the American Songbook and the First Amendment, featuring some very special guests, including @annaforflorida.bsky.social. Independent local media has never needed you more!

The legal battle over these century-old boathouses may finally reach a resolution. The boathouse owners say the town has no right of ownership because it doesn't own the lagoon under the structures. The town wants to hold the owners to a 36yo-lease, signed under duress. We'll be in the courtroom.

Town manager told us she believes the former town manager —terminated earlier this year — is behind the allegations. He's denied any involvement.

Orange County, Florida, leads the state in student homelessness — 8,500 students. A rep from Orange County Public Schools told us that they haven't seen levels this high since Hurricane Maria in 2017. 500+ students are in the fairly affluent West Orange County.

"Freedom of the press — do they feel his liberty?" Senator Cory Booker into his 20th hour filibustering on the Senate floor, calling out Trump's assault on American freedoms.

The world lost a civil rights icon today. State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson died earlier today after complications from knee surgery. She was a tireless fighter for social justice. Her work on behalf of the Groveland 4 is inspiring. Rest in power, Senator.

For White men: Boys will be boys. Don’t ruin his life. For Black boys: Zero tolerance for misbehavior. Try him as an adult. To be racist is to treat White adults like kids and Black kids like adults. To be antiracist is to treat all adults like adults and all kids like kids.

WE BELIEVE!

It's municipal election season in West Orange. 5 candidates for Windermere Town Council fielded questions in a forum that was congenial if light on substance. The town raised its millage rate 7.20 percent and not one question about it?

Got this as a "breaking news" from MedPage Today. I don't think I've ever seen breaking news from MedPage Today before today. I'm beyond horrified. I hope someone archived the info somewhere.

#GunViolencePrevention office shut down.

The expressions on the Trump family faces, particularly Tiffany, were the most telling. She looked like no one had ever dared challenge her dad. Vance looked disgusted. Trump looked annoyed.

“Blatantly unconstitutional” says federal judge.

@tampabaytimes.bsky.social reporting that Gov. DeSantis is floating the idea of quashing citizen-led ballot measures -- especially those dealing with abortion. Cuz that's how we roll in the "Free" State of Florida where you are completely free to be muzzled by the state.

Florida's 2025 legislative session yet to be gaveled in but Orange County GOP Chair Erin Huntley has thrown her hat into the 2026 race for House District 45, challenging Democratic State Rep Leonard Spencer. Spencer unseated GOP Rep Carolina Amesty, charged Thurs with stealing federal Covid loans.

First rate reporting by Silas Morgan at @orlandosentinel.com. We have a substantial #Arab and #Muslim community in #OrangeCounty Florida, and it's helpful to remember that identifying all Arabs and Muslims as terrorists is as useful as identifying all priests as pedophiles.

The town of Oakland's mayor argued for 53 minutes that emergency ordinances should be reserved for real emergency situations. In a tie vote, the measure failed.