Joe Byrnes

Ocala

Reporter at Central Florida Public Media

Reporter with Central Florida Public Media, the NPR station in Orlando.

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Articles

Burn bans lifted in some Central Florida counties

2 days ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Recent rainfall has prompted Volusia, Brevard and Osceola counties to lift the outdoor burning ban put in place due to unusually dry conditions. The other Central Florida counties with bans in effect -- Sumter, Lake and Orange -- could soon follow suit, because the Keetch-Byram Drought Index used to gauge fire danger has improved and the Fire Danger Index throughout Florida is low. The KBDI has dropped below the 450 level throughout the region.
Florida immigration plan includes judges, detention, deportation flights

2 days ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

Earlier this month, Florida offered the Trump Administration a blueprint for state cooperation in its mass deportation efforts. The 37-page Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan includes the rapid construction of detention facilities, the use of Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General's Corps officers as immigration judges, and deportation flights using Florida contractors.
Florida's immigration plan includes detention and deportation flights

2 days ago | news.wfsu.org | Joe Byrnes

Earlier this month, Florida offered the Trump Administration a blueprint for state cooperation in its mass deportation efforts. The 37-page Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan includes the rapid construction of detention facilities, the use of Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General's Corps officers as immigration judges, and deportation flights using Florida contractors.
Florida immigration plan includes judges, detention, deportation flights

2 days ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Earlier this month, Florida offered the Trump Administration a blueprint for state cooperation in its mass deportation efforts. The 37-page Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan includes the rapid construction of detention facilities, the use of Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General's Corps officers as immigration judges, and deportation flights using Florida contractors.
Central Florida's SunRail at a junction: Are its benefits worth the cost of expansion?

1 week ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

SunRail began operation in May 2014. In August of last year, with the opening of a station in DeLand, the Florida Department of Transportation completed its full 61 miles, running north and south through Orlando. Now FDOT is in the process of handing ownership and funding responsibilities over to local governments. At the same time, they're exploring a possible expansion called the Sunshine Corridor. For some, questions remain about whether that expansion is worth the cost.
Central Florida's SunRail at a junction: Are its benefits worth the cost of expansion?

2 weeks ago | wuwf.org | Joe Byrnes

SunRail began operation in May 2014. In August of last year, with the opening of a station in DeLand, the Florida Department of Transportation completed its full 61 miles, running north and south through Orlando. Now FDOT is in the process of handing ownership and funding responsibilities over to local governments. At the same time, they're exploring a possible expansion called the Sunshine Corridor. For some, questions remain about whether that expansion is worth the cost.
Central Florida's SunRail at a junction: Are its benefits worth the cost of expansion?

2 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

SunRail began operation in May 2014. In August of last year, with the opening of a station in DeLand, the Florida Department of Transportation completed its full 61 miles, running north and south through Orlando. Now FDOT is in the process of handing ownership and funding responsibilities over to local governments. At the same time, they’re exploring a possible expansion called the Sunshine Corridor. For some, questions remain about whether that expansion is worth the cost.
Restoration underway at historic Okahumpka Rosenwald School

3 weeks ago | cfpublic.org | Joe Byrnes

Restoration has finally begun on the historic Okahumpka Rosenwald School near Leesburg. The nonprofit that owns the property -- the Okahumpka Community Club -- has been working toward the restoration for several years and announced a groundbreaking for Monday morning. But the contractor started work last week. The old wooden schoolhouse, which was built in 1929, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gov. Ron DeSantis tells GOP House leaders 'shame on you' for Hope Florida investigation

1 month ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted fellow Republicans in the Florida House Monday for investigating $10 million in state settlement funds steered to the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit founded by his wife, Casey DeSantisHis remarks came during a press conference in Kissimmee to announce the early completion of "congestion relief lanes" on Interstate 4 in Polk and Osceola counties. The new lanes, one in each direction, will open during the week of April 28.
Orlando Police join forces with ICE, but mayor says they won’t be ‘proactive’

1 month ago | wusf.org | Joe Byrnes

Mayor Buddy Dyer on Monday defended the Orlando Police Department's agreement, finalized last month, to provide officers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Those officers are authorized to interrogate and arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. Speaking at a City Council meeting, Dyer said the Florida Police Chiefs Association recommended the agreement.