Nick Papantonis WFTV
@nickpapantonis.bsky.social
Reporting for WFTV in Orlando. Syracuse University🍊 alum. Encrypted messages via Signal app: 405-970-0090, Nick.Papantonis@wftv.com.
A nonprofit organization wants to take control of a public elementary school, in what would be a first for Central Florida.
Read: www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
Read: www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
They love their public school. A nonprofit wants to take it over
LaQuinda Thomas and Alicia Rosario herded their children past the entrance gate of Orange Center Elementary [OCE] school as a boisterous group of kids chattered and waited for the crossing guard to wh...
www.wftv.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:34 AM
A nonprofit organization wants to take control of a public elementary school, in what would be a first for Central Florida.
Read: www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
Read: www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
In Ocala, Florida, school leaders are pushing the state to tighten rules on kindergarten attendance and age requirements after they noticed a rise in the number of 6-year-olds who don’t know their own name and aren’t potty trained. www.wftv.com/news/local/m...
October 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
In Ocala, Florida, school leaders are pushing the state to tighten rules on kindergarten attendance and age requirements after they noticed a rise in the number of 6-year-olds who don’t know their own name and aren’t potty trained. www.wftv.com/news/local/m...
A service that gave seniors free rides to and from stores in Orlando has been canceled. Some say federal budget cuts are to blame. www.wftv.com/news/local/p...
Popular senior bus service axed, leaving some feeling stranded
The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round – until the end of next month for seniors in Orlando apartment towers getting to and from their weekly shopping trips.
www.wftv.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
A service that gave seniors free rides to and from stores in Orlando has been canceled. Some say federal budget cuts are to blame. www.wftv.com/news/local/p...
Lots of TikTok users are suddenly learning an unexpected skill: how to steal a fighter jet.
www.wftv.com/news/local/n...
www.wftv.com/news/local/n...
New TikTok trend teaches people how to steal fighter jets
TikTok has flooded users’ feeds with a felonious lesson: giving people step-by-step guides to “stealing” major military equipment.
www.wftv.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Lots of TikTok users are suddenly learning an unexpected skill: how to steal a fighter jet.
www.wftv.com/news/local/n...
www.wftv.com/news/local/n...
After several years of running Bikefest, Leesburg leaders are facing a six-figure dilemma: they only have enough cash on hand to run the event for one more year. www.wftv.com/news/local/l...
Leesburg’s Bikefest, running out of money, to undergo changes
After several years of running Bikefest, Leesburg leaders are facing a six-figure dilemma: they only have enough cash on hand to run the event for one more year.
www.wftv.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:36 AM
After several years of running Bikefest, Leesburg leaders are facing a six-figure dilemma: they only have enough cash on hand to run the event for one more year. www.wftv.com/news/local/l...
One CEO called it the fiber industry’s “dirty secret.”
Time and time again Wednesday, people who design and operate the infrastructure that 9-1-1 centers rely on described the state of America’s networks as a looming disaster.
Here's why: www.wftv.com/news/local/d...
Time and time again Wednesday, people who design and operate the infrastructure that 9-1-1 centers rely on described the state of America’s networks as a looming disaster.
Here's why: www.wftv.com/news/local/d...
‘Dark fiber’: How engineers say a fragile system brought Florida 911 centers to their knees
People who design, build and operate the infrastructure that 911 centers rely on described the state of America’s networks as a looming disaster.
www.wftv.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:12 AM
One CEO called it the fiber industry’s “dirty secret.”
Time and time again Wednesday, people who design and operate the infrastructure that 9-1-1 centers rely on described the state of America’s networks as a looming disaster.
Here's why: www.wftv.com/news/local/d...
Time and time again Wednesday, people who design and operate the infrastructure that 9-1-1 centers rely on described the state of America’s networks as a looming disaster.
Here's why: www.wftv.com/news/local/d...
The Orlando Diocese has been hit with more lawsuits by men who say they were abused by priests when they were children, though it said one of the named priests never worked for them. www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
Three more men accuse Orlando-area priests of abuse, some claims decades old
The Orlando Diocese has been hit with three more lawsuits by men who say they were abused by priests when they were children.
www.wftv.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The Orlando Diocese has been hit with more lawsuits by men who say they were abused by priests when they were children, though it said one of the named priests never worked for them. www.wftv.com/news/local/t...
I met up with Pulse survivor Chris Hansen twice this week, both before and after he toured the nightclub for the first time since the mass shooting. He spoke of the emotions, the memories and his readiness to move on. www.wftv.com/news/local/h...
He was called a hero during Pulse, but he wants to remember the music instead
Chris Hansen said he was ready to re-enter the Pulse Nightclub, nine long years after his life changed in a barrage of bullets.
www.wftv.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I met up with Pulse survivor Chris Hansen twice this week, both before and after he toured the nightclub for the first time since the mass shooting. He spoke of the emotions, the memories and his readiness to move on. www.wftv.com/news/local/h...
Florida's citrus industry might be saved by a single tree growing near Groveland. "The Donaldson" is tolerant of the citrus greening disease that has contributed to a 90% decline of the industry in 20 years. www.wftv.com/news/local/m...
Meet the tree that could save Florida’s citrus industry
Matt Mattia used both hands to flip through the branch at his eye level, studying each side of every leaf as sunlight filtered from above.
www.wftv.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Florida's citrus industry might be saved by a single tree growing near Groveland. "The Donaldson" is tolerant of the citrus greening disease that has contributed to a 90% decline of the industry in 20 years. www.wftv.com/news/local/m...
Overlooked in the scandal department last week: one Central Florida district was caught falsifying student data and setting up "shell schools" to boost ratings and funding. www.wftv.com/news/local/w...
‘We can’t hide kids:’ Sumter County superintendent promises change after student records scandal
Sumter County Schools Superintendent Logan Brown accepted responsibility and blame for a scheme made public by report released by the Florida Department of Education.
www.wftv.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Overlooked in the scandal department last week: one Central Florida district was caught falsifying student data and setting up "shell schools" to boost ratings and funding. www.wftv.com/news/local/w...
BREAKING: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez is in federal custody and facing “significant” charges, sources say.
www.wftv.com/news/local/c...
www.wftv.com/news/local/c...
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday morning.
www.wftv.com
June 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
BREAKING: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez is in federal custody and facing “significant” charges, sources say.
www.wftv.com/news/local/c...
www.wftv.com/news/local/c...
Attorneys for suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill have asked a judge to bar a key witness from testifying against her, saying she has exhibited a pattern of dishonest behavior as the attorneys gear up for trial.
www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
Regina Hill’s team wants key witness barred from testifying
Attorneys for suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill have asked a judge to bar a key witness from testifying against her
www.wftv.com
June 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Attorneys for suspended Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill have asked a judge to bar a key witness from testifying against her, saying she has exhibited a pattern of dishonest behavior as the attorneys gear up for trial.
www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
Sometimes the news follows you. And that follower is a car that JUST began checking out Orlando's streets. Waymo has arrived (sort of). www.wftv.com/news/local/a...
Autonomous taxi service Waymo begins touring Orlando’s streets
For now, Waymo’s cars are being human-driven around Orlando.
www.wftv.com
May 30, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Sometimes the news follows you. And that follower is a car that JUST began checking out Orlando's streets. Waymo has arrived (sort of). www.wftv.com/news/local/a...
Orange County taxpayers are shelling out thousands of dollars on inmates who didn't commit any crimes within the county's borders. Meanwhile, another sheriff says he has so many immigration arrests coming in, his inmates are sleeping on the floor. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Complaints about unequal burden of immigration arrests begin to pile up
As Florida law enforcement and ICE agents intensify efforts to root out undocumented immigrants, cracks appear in their previously unified public effort.
www.wftv.com
May 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Orange County taxpayers are shelling out thousands of dollars on inmates who didn't commit any crimes within the county's borders. Meanwhile, another sheriff says he has so many immigration arrests coming in, his inmates are sleeping on the floor. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
We're getting a better look at the "argument" deputies said led to a Checkers employee shooting his customer. www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
Records claim Checkers employee possibly killed customer over missing mayo packets
New arrest records details what police say happened inside a Kissimmee fast food restaurant that led to a customer’s murder.
www.wftv.com
May 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM
We're getting a better look at the "argument" deputies said led to a Checkers employee shooting his customer. www.wftv.com/news/local/r...
A undocumented man accused of touching children inappropriately died in custody Friday, sources told Channel 9. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Orange County Jail inmate, arrested after years in hiding, dies
Deputies attempted to treat him, but he was pronounced dead less than an hour later, they said.
www.wftv.com
May 11, 2025 at 3:29 AM
A undocumented man accused of touching children inappropriately died in custody Friday, sources told Channel 9. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
The United States Army and DOGE is thinking about eliminating its Orlando simulation and training headquarters. 1,000 high-paying jobs are now on the chopping block.
www.wftv.com/news/local/u...
www.wftv.com/news/local/u...
US Army eyeing cuts to Orlando headquarters; 1,000 jobs at risk
As many as 1,000 jobs at the United States Army’s STRI headquarters in Orlando could be on the chopping block.
www.wftv.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The United States Army and DOGE is thinking about eliminating its Orlando simulation and training headquarters. 1,000 high-paying jobs are now on the chopping block.
www.wftv.com/news/local/u...
www.wftv.com/news/local/u...
Hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians are about to get a letter in the mail telling them their medical debt has been wiped away. www.wftv.com/news/local/3...
310,000 Central Floridians poised to get medical debt wiped out
Hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians are about to discover their medical debt has been wiped away.
www.wftv.com
April 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Hundreds of thousands of Central Floridians are about to get a letter in the mail telling them their medical debt has been wiped away. www.wftv.com/news/local/3...
Winter Garden leaders are moving ahead with their plan to reopen the closed Garden Theatre. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Winter Garden breathes life into shuttered downtown theatre
Winter Garden leaders are moving ahead with their plan to reopen the closed Garden Theatre.
www.wftv.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Winter Garden leaders are moving ahead with their plan to reopen the closed Garden Theatre. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Tech companies and developers asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit by the mother of a 14-year-old who fell in love with an AI chat bot and then shot himself. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Tech companies ask judge to throw out AI chatbot teen suicide lawsuit
A federal judge in Orlando heard over a dozen attorneys discuss the First Amendment, tech development and corporate responsibility.
www.wftv.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Tech companies and developers asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit by the mother of a 14-year-old who fell in love with an AI chat bot and then shot himself. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Orange County is hailing one of its code enforcement officers as a hero for leading investigators to three severely malnourished dogs. wftv.com/news/local/g...
Guardian angel: Code enforcement officer calls in malnourished dogs, leading to arrests
Investigators arrested them earlier this month and accused them of starving the dogs.
wftv.com
April 25, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Orange County is hailing one of its code enforcement officers as a hero for leading investigators to three severely malnourished dogs. wftv.com/news/local/g...
When you're on the phone with your boss at 7:30a convincing them to let you come in early to do a certain story, you better deliver. So glad I could cover this monumental day in Okahumpka! www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
‘Impossible’ achieved: Okahumpka segregated school restoration breaks ground
After five years of fundraising and other failed attempts, community members gathered on Monday to ceremonially shovel some dirt.
www.wftv.com
April 22, 2025 at 12:47 AM
When you're on the phone with your boss at 7:30a convincing them to let you come in early to do a certain story, you better deliver. So glad I could cover this monumental day in Okahumpka! www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Immigration arrests are declining in one of Florida's largest counties, data shows. It's not yet clear if this pattern extends to other counties. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
Immigration arrests are declining in Orange County, jail data shows
After an initial surge of immigration-related arrests, data shows bookings are trending down.
www.wftv.com
April 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Immigration arrests are declining in one of Florida's largest counties, data shows. It's not yet clear if this pattern extends to other counties. www.wftv.com/news/local/o...
EXCLUSIVE TOUR: WFTV was invited to tour a Florida jail that is now being used to house suspected immigrant gang members en route to being deported. Our cameras saw the first groups arriving. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkh...
EXCLUSIVE TOUR: Florida jail turned into immigrant gang housing for deportations
YouTube video by WFTV Channel 9
www.youtube.com
April 9, 2025 at 11:24 PM
EXCLUSIVE TOUR: WFTV was invited to tour a Florida jail that is now being used to house suspected immigrant gang members en route to being deported. Our cameras saw the first groups arriving. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkh...
30 peacocks have died near Oakland, Florida. People suspect someone is deliberately poisoning them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSim...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSim...
30 peacocks die in Florida town, poisoning suspected
YouTube video by WFTV Channel 9
www.youtube.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
30 peacocks have died near Oakland, Florida. People suspect someone is deliberately poisoning them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSim...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSim...