The Charge • 28th January 2025

HB 1365 prohibits homeless people from sleeping on public property

The Florida Senate issued House Bill 1365: Unauthorized Public Camping and Sleeping, which says any resident, local business owner, or the Attorney General can sue a county or municipality if they fail to implement unlawful sleeping or camping on public property. This became effective Jan. 1.According to the city of Orlando, in January 2024 almost 800 people were labeled as “unsheltered” in Orange County. A 24% increase since 2023. Dr. Andrew Sullivan, UCF assistant professor of public administr...

The Charge • 9th November 2024

UCF community shares the hidden side of living with epilepsy

As November is recognized as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, advocates dedicate time to raise awareness about the disease, support those affected by it and promote understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with epilepsy.According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disease of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures and can vary from brief lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions.
“I was 15 when I start...

The Charge • 1st November 2024

The evolution of cancer treatments: UCF researchers create liquid biopsy

UCF researchers have developed a liquid biopsy approach to help monitor the effectiveness of cancer diagnosis.As breast cancer awareness month is in October, researchers at UCF's College of Medicine are embarking on innovative cancer research to diagnose and treat the diseases.
Six years ago, Dr. Annette Khaled, UCF College of Medicine professor and head of the school’s Cancer Research Division said she realized that a lot of the studies that develop cancer therapies and eventually test...

The Charge • 16th October 2024

UCF adds eco-friendly degree programs to meet market demands

UCF announced the introduction of new academic programs such as environmental science, sustainability and leadership this year to prepare students to meet the demands of the current fast-paced workforce.The university’s environmentally-minded programs foster future leaders who can effectively tackle challenges like climate change and sustainability. By integrating practical skills with critical knowledge within their field of study, students are better prepared to contribute to their careers and...

The Community Paper • 30th April 2024

Orlando Foodie Fest: An event for local food vendors - The Community Paper

After expressing his love for food through his Instagram page Food on the Spectrum, Nikko Gomez is now the host of a monthly food event called Orlando Foodie Fest.

Gomez hosts this event with the hope that by supporting small and local businesses, food vendors can take the opportunity to grow and create strong brands.

Choosing which vendors get to attend the event each month requires a lot of planning.

Gomez said that before reaching out to the vendors, he picks them based on how many followe

The Community Paper • 26th March 2024

Champagne and Gravy Hat Bar - The Community Paper

After working in a corporate job for a long time and being let go because of COVID-19, Wendy Leininger decided it was time to join her husband full-time at Echoes of Retro and pursue her passion for vintage items.

“My wife is a huge asset to the store. She’s good with trends and an excellent negotiator,” Marvin Leininger said. “She is a very creative person, and as unfortunate as it was for her to be let go from her corporate job, she is much happier now.”

The vintage shop started in 2014, and

NSM.today • 3rd March 2024

UCF prepares for campuswide alert tests

The UCF Department of Emergency Management will run routine tests this spring during Safe Knight Week to ensure students are receiving emergency alerts.

Bryan Garey, emergency management and business continuity manager, said that the purpose of these tests is to ensure that the different methods used to notify students, faculty and staff of any emergency on campus are running smoothly and if not, then to find out what is missing and remedy that.

The alert tests will run on Wednesday, March 13

NSM.today • 9th February 2024

Every second matters when adversity strikes

Grayson Zrelak, a UCF student and two-time cancer survivor is currently fighting for his life after a terrible accident.

Despite spending multiple days in the hospital when he was first diagnosed with cancer, Zrelak is back at the hospital facing what could be the most difficult battle of his life.

On Jan. 16, Zrelak was riding his skateboard on his way to work at Sonic Drive-In in Longwood when his life took yet another heartbreaking turn. While crossing the street, a woman making a left turn

NSM.today • 6th February 2024

Pedestrian safety is still a pressing issue for UCF students

With work now underway on the $13.2 million of pedestrian safety improvements near campus, UCF students say the safeguards can’t come soon enough.

This year has barely begun, and yet at least 26 pedestrians have been injured in 30 pedestrian crashes in Orange County during 2024, according to the Florida Highway Patrol website.

Angel Pinos, junior biomedical sciences major, is a Taco Bell shift manager and said that he sees accidents at least once every two weeks on his way to work.

“I actuall

NSM.today • 1st February 2024

Convenience to campus: A new garage availability system

Starting this spring, UCF students can use the new garage availability system designed to make their parking experience less chaotic.

Even though finding parking on campus can be difficult, the UCF Parking Services website, as well as the UCF mobile app, is providing a live garage availability tracking system to make students’ lives easier.

Anand Rampersad, UCF parking and transportation services business strategies and financial/auxiliary services assistant director, said in an email intervie