VoxPopuli • 24th April 2023

Community leader answers DeSantis book bans by opening library

In Orange County, there's more than one way to get books about Black history into students’ hands.



While Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration is working to remove books and other media from classrooms and school libraries under the guise that they teach , community leader Lawanna Gelzer has found a way to make all kinds of books available — but particularly those about Black life, Black history and by Black authors.

An Orlando activist who fights against systemic racism, Gelzer opened the Ms

VoxPopuli • 3rd March 2023

The uncontested local election

Ocoee goes to the polls March 14 while Winter Garden and Windermere voters sit out canceled elections — and not for the first time. Why don’t municipal elections have more candidates?

NSM.today • 9th February 2023

This local band will have listeners "Holding on for Dear Life"

If a poet, a jazz drummer, a saxophonist and an upright bassist walk into a bar, chances are it's the folk punk band Holding on for Dear Life getting ready to perform a gig.

VoxPopuli • 20th January 2023

Can you get an abortion at a drugstore?

Retail pharmacies can now sell the “abortion pill” by prescription — but likely not in Florida.

VoxPopuli • 5th January 2023

Oakland juggles multiple water projects

In late October, the Town of Oakland announced it had received in state funding for its water system bypass project intended to provide residents with high quality drinking water in case of a water main break. The grant money will help cover half the construction costs, and the bypass is expected to be completed next summer.

State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, who represents District 44, which includes Oakland, helped procure the grant.

“There has been a great deal of growth in Central Florida,

NSM.today • 30th November 2022

'Enough is enough': UCF community reacts to deaths of Iranian protesters

Although recent rumors of mass Iranian executions are untrue, UCF students, alumni and professors continue to keep up with updates and protests for Iranian human rights.

“Whenever I hear, one kid has been killed, it has torched me,” said Sara Hjz, a protester and UCF Ph.D. candidate. “I have friends, classmates and cousins back there. They are brave enough to endanger their lives for their values, and I wish I were next to them.”

Protests broke out two months ago and made national headlines af

NSM.today • 4th November 2022

UCF Muslim Student Association advocates for halal food options on campus

Grabbing lunch on campus seems like the most relaxing part of the day, but for members of UCF's Muslim Student Association, finding a quick and easy halal meal is just another daily task.

VoxPopuli • 24th October 2022

"Just the tip of the iceberg"

Four Muslim women in West Orange on what the protests in Iran mean to them

NSM.today • 28th April 2022

UCF YDSA responds to student reactions for Safe Sex Week table

Students had mixed reactions to the tabling for the Young Democratic Socialists of America’s Safe Sex Week, especially toward a "pin the clit" game.

NSM.today • 3rd April 2022

UCF student brings claw machine to Knights Circle

Destiny Violano brought a claw machine to Knights Circle to live her home-arcade dreams, grab the attention of students and win some friends.

NSM.today • 8th March 2022

"Stand up, fight back": Crowds gather for Rally for Collective Rights at Orlando City Hall

Crowds and guest speakers gathered to rally against recent controversial bills being passed in Florida at Orlando City Hall on Feb. 26.

These recent bills affect LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants, people of color and those with a reproductive system.

Bills such as "Don’t Say Gay" bill and the "Stop WOKE Act" have been striking fear and anger in students, teachers and parents who believe Black and LGBTQ+ voices should not be silenced or censored in the classroom, according to Independent.

The "Don’t S

NSM.today • 22nd February 2022

'Fresh-air cuts': UCF students get free haircuts outside the library

Kevin Kant did not expect to get his hair cut right outside of the John C. Hitt Library when he was heading there to study Wednesday afternoon.