Author: Mike Schneider
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A look at Disney World’s new Pandora-World of Avatar land
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It’s not a movie set, but visitors to Disney World’s new Pandora-World of Avatar land are in for a cinematic experience. The 12-acre land, inspired by the “Avatar” movie, opens in Florida in late May at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. It cost a half-billion dollars to build. The marquee…
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SeaWorld: Tilikum, orca that killed trainer, has died
FILE- In this March 7, 2011 file photo orca whale Tilikum, right, watches as SeaWorld Orlando trainers take a break during a training session at the theme park’s Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Tilikum, an orca that killed a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010, has died. According to SeaWorld, the whale died Friday, Dec.…
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1st SeaWorld park without killer whales to open
ORLANDO, Fla. — Months after Seaworld Parks & Entertainment ended its orca-breeding program amid pressure from animal rights activists, company officials announced Tuesday that they will help develop in Abu Dhabi the first new Seaworld park without orcas — and the first outside the United States. Seaworld CEO Joel Manby told The Associated Press that the…
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Nearly 2M urged to evacuate as Matthew edges toward U.S.
MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Matthew marched toward Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas and nearly 2 million people along the coast were urged to evacuate their homes Wednesday, a mass exodus ahead of a major storm packing power the U.S. hasn’t seen in more than a decade. Matthew was a dangerous and life-threatening Category 3…
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Orlando releases more 911 calls from gay nightclub shooting
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando released more 911 calls Wednesday from the mass shooting at a gay Florida nightclub after the FBI said the records are no longer a part of its investigation.…
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Report: Alligator bit boy’s head during Disney attack
ORLANDO, Fla. — The father of a Nebraska toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World last June reached into the animal’s mouth in an attempt to free his son’s head from the reptile’s jaw, according to a final report on the death released Monday by Florida’s wildlife agency. The Florida Fish and Wildlife…
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Parents won’t sue Disney over son’s death by gator
ORLANDO, Fla. — The parents of a toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World said Wednesday that they don’t plan to sue the Florida theme park resort over the death. Matt and Melissa Graves of Omaha, Nebraska, said in a statement that they want to focus on their family’s future health. A family…
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Worst mass shooting in US history: 50 slain at gay nightclub
ORLANDO, Fla. — It had been an evening of drinking, dancing and drag shows. After hours of revelry, the party-goers crowding the gay nightclub known as the Pulse took their last sips before the place closed. That’s when authorities say Omar Mateen emerged, carrying an AR-15 and spraying the helpless crowd with bullets. Witnesses said…
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SeaWorld to stop breeding orcas, making them perform tricks
ORLANDO, Fla. — After years of pressure, SeaWorld made a surprise announcement on Thursday: It no longer breeds killer whales in captivity and will soon stop making them leap from their pools or splash audiences on command. Surrendering finally to a profound shift in how people feel about using animals for entertainment, the SeaWorld theme…
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Florida soldier, his hometown star in Super Bowl ad
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save WINTER PARK, Fla. — A soldier and his Florida hometown are the stars of an Anheuser-Busch ad that will air during the Super Bowl. The ad shows Lt. Chuck Nadd returning to Winter Park and…