Log in
Moore: "We achieve success by working harmoniously and with a shared purpose"
Too many ordinary citizens in District 2 do not feel empowered. We must restructure smaller interdependent teams based on neighborhoods and local areas so all feel welcome. In essence, we must become …
3D graphical representation of a spherical-shaped measles virus particle that is studded with glycoprotein tubercles.
We thought measles were going away in Florida, but now there’s a new case
In newly published data, the CDC's year-to-date count in the US now stands at 64 cases of measles, surpassing the 2023 total case count of 58.
Everything coming to Netflix in April
Welcome to your comprehensive preview of what’s coming up on Netflix in the United States throughout April. This list will look ahead at all the new movies and series, whether they be Netflix Originals or licensed titles.
Two-spotted mite: A major pest on more than 200 species of plants including fruit, ornamental and vegetable crops.
Unlocking the secrets of mites
Mites are arachnids that are found in almost every environment with more than 55,000 described species worldwide. Some mites are classified as pests, while others are beneficial. 
Apopka Police Department Arrest Report
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly arrest report that includes arrests, crashes, calls for service, and traffic citations. This report is for the week ending March 23rd.
Local News
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: March 17th-23rd
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
Governor signs teenage social media restrictions, complains about court losses on other legislation
The new law (HB 3) bars access to social media accounts for kids under age 13, with access to 14- and 15-year-olds allowed with parental consent.
Power up your ride with versatile natural gas
There are a number of reasons why switching to natural gas may be the best option for you or your business.
Florida Gulf Coast University was built atop wetlands, and was once known as “Mildew U.”
New study of Florida pollution just an expensive way to delay cleanup
We should always celebrate water in Florida. We’re surrounded on three sides by the stuff. It’s a major tourist attraction, and right now, water is worth a lot of money. Friday marks World Water Day. I feel bad about this, but I just know I’m going to be late sending out Water Day cards this year. But we can …
AAA: Florida gas prices fall 5 cents after reaching new 2024 high last week
On Sunday, the state average was $3.51 per gallon. That's 4 cents more than a week ago and 11 cents more than last year.
The scene in Apopka on Election Day 2022.
Anderson and Nesta won city commission races because of campaign fundamentals
Municipal campaigns require a well-planned strategy. Running for office can be daunting and requires a lot of resources, including time, effort, and, most importantly, money.

The Morning Voice Newsletter Signup Confirmation

* indicates required
Business
Agricultural workers in Immokalee, FL.
New Florida development aims to give rent-burdened workers a leg up
The project will build 180–200 single-family homes on 50 acres with gridded streets and sidewalks. The units will be targeted to be affordable to residents at 30–80% of the area median income, with rents as low as $674 for a two-bedroom house.
The house looks like it’s from an era that never happened.
How America’s affordable house of the future failed
Would today’s America, reeling from a yearslong housing affordability crisis, be better off if the experiment had worked?  
Farmworkers push back on Florida Legislature's Heat Preemption Bill
Farmworkers got scorched yesterday by the passage of SB 1492, a bill that preempts local governments from passing even the most basic workplace protections.
Cate Manley, the President and CEO of the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, announced her time in that role will end at the end of the month.
Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka recently held its first-ever Habitat Homeowner Family Reunion. The festivities took place at FINFROCK.
The developer’s agreement approved by the BCC involves a 195-unit project called Southwick Commons planned for downtown Apopka.
The Orlando Regional Realtor's Association has endorsed Commissioner Nick Nesta in his re-election bid for Seat #4 on the Apopka City Council. 

The Morning Voice Newsletter Signup Confirmation

* indicates required
Health

As Florida winds down Medicaid eligibility review, more children under 5 are losing coverage

More than a thousand Florida children under five lost Medicaid coverage in February, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Despite the increase in the number of people enrolled in Medicaid, Florida removed more than 3,000 fewer people from the program, according to the February report.

The Florida Legislature doesn’t care how hot outdoor workers get

Outdoor workers in a field in Miami-Dade County.

Some Florida lawmakers have proposed bills requiring everyone who employs outdoor workers to educate them about heat illness and provide workers with adequate drinking water, access to shade, and 10-minute recovery breaks in extreme heat.

Florida social services call center has 2nd longest wait times in the country; $12 million might help

Paper cutout family with house under a Medicaid umbrella

Hoping to alleviate the problem, lawmakers agreed to put $12,261,444 for the call center in the state budget for 2024-25, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to sign off on it, and he can veto various budget items.

Apopka launches vaccination initiative amid rising measles concerns

Apopka is partnering with the FDOH Orange County, OCPS, the Farmworker Association of Florida, Hope CommUnity Center, and the Apopka Fire Department to provide MMR vaccinations.

Unlocking the heat in mosquito modeling: Exploring disease transmission under climate change

The study contends that if mosquitoes undergo thermal adaptation in their local environments, it could lead to variation in how different populations respond to temperature. Matthew Thomas, a UF/IFAS professor and UF/IFAS Invasive Science Research Institute …

Government
In case you missed it. The Apopka News Week in Review includes five articles that shaped the City... all in one place, including details on the 2024 Apopka elections.
The project will transform the former nursery on Lust Road into a unique park, adorned with native plants, restored bird habitat, walking trails, and a visitors’ center.
In an election that decides who will make decisions for a city of 60,000 residents and a budget eclipsing $165 million, it's disheartening that only 12% of registered voters participated.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday that will prohibit cities and counties from allowing individuals and families to sleep and camp on public property.
Updating Breaking News: Nesta and Anderson prevail, but will March elections survive?
Commissioner Nick Nesta defeated Eric Mock with 61% of the vote for Seat #4, while Nadia Anderson defeated Darryl Richardson with 55% of the vote for Seat #3.
Orange County unveils the largest floating solar array in the Southeastern United States
Aligned with Orange County’s Sustainable Operations & Resilience Action Plan, the project underscores the county’s dedication toward 100% clean, renewable energy by 2035.
Florida Lottery transferred $2.45 billion to K-12 education in 2023
Over 34 years, a minimum of $800 million has been transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, with FY 2023 exceeding $1 billion for the 21st consecutive year, according to the report.
Opinion

Everything you need to know to participate in the Apopka City Charter Review

To determine your opinion, you will want to watch the previous meetings. Then, attend the March meeting to speak during the public comment period. 
These lucrative land deals are supposed to preserve the property in perpetuity. But Kimberly Buchheit, a Central Florida land surveyor and environmental activist, told me, “Perpetuity has reached an expiration date: as soon as it is no longer convenient to protect land or restrict development.”
While ideally, in a perfect world, conflict would never occur – it does. So when it does, how can it be nipped in the bud so everyone can play well in the sandbox together?
The county is committed to the federal Vision Zero Plan, which states as its goal, that even one traffic fatality is too many. The plan lists adding sidewalks as the most effective the lowest cost remedy for saving lives.
Bonus Content

5 celebrities famous for throwing epic parties

From costume balls to Christmas Eve soirées, Peerspace compiled a list of five epic parties and the celebrities who threw them.

Banks boosting communities: How a behind-the-scenes partnership supports housing affordability and economic development

(BPT) - It’s a virtuous cycle: communities that are economically vibrant create good jobs that support homeownership, and homeownership builds generational wealth that supports entrepreneurship …

73% of Americans plan to increase their net worth in the year ahead, according to new study

(BPT) - Inflation and rising prices have the majority of Americans (70%) feeling uneasy about their financial outlook, according to new research from Empower, a financial services company. While some …

10 states where residents write off the most in taxes

SmartAsset analyzed the latest IRS data to find which U.S. residents wrote off the most in taxes.