Alexandra Sullivan
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My Articles
Explore my writing work below.
Hard News articles:
Explore my published news articles below.
Florida live election updates
Mary Beth Harris, 47, who works at the UCF College of Medicine, said voting was instilled in her as a kid when she helped run a polling place out of her grandmother’s carport. Although Harris was not giving out cookies and coffee to voters today like she used to, she said showing up and voting has always been important to her.
Scott McElroy
![Volunteers from Horsepower Ranch use airboats to transport supplies donated by the United Cajun Navy through floodwaters in Lake Harney Woods on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022.]( "Volunteers from Horsepower Ranch use airboats to transport supplies donated by the United Cajun Navy through floodwaters in Lake Harney Woods on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022.")
Trapped by flooding, residents of Mims community turn to each other for help
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Ian, those in Lake Harney Woods, which sits beside Lake Harney on the border of Volusia and Seminole counties, remained isolated, with record floodwaters blocking the only roads into their neighborhood: State Road 46 and Morgan Alderman Road.
Alexandra Sullivan
![When the Lions scored a touchdown, the band roared with cheers before playing the “fight song” and showing their support for their school’s football team. Oviedo won the game against Timber Creek 28-7.]( "When the Lions scored a touchdown, the band roared with cheers before playing the “fight song” and showing their support for their school’s football team. Oviedo won the game against Timber Creek 28-7.")
Marching Lions alumni perform at Oviedo High School centennial celebration
Ruby Roberts of Oviedo said she considers herself a “band kid through and through,” so when she had the opportunity to pick up her piccolo once again, she marched right back out onto the field. For the first time in three years, Roberts was able to perform at her alma mater, Oviedo High School.
Alexandra Sullivan
![Harris Rosen speaks with Knightro and President Alexander Cartwright (center) before the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series on April 5. Rosen is the benefactor and namesake of Rosen College of Hospitality Management.]( "Harris Rosen speaks with Knightro and President Alexander Cartwright (center) before the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series on April 5. Rosen is the benefactor and namesake of Rosen College of Hospitality Management.")
Rosen College benefactor Harris Rosen speaks on partnership with UCF
Alexandra Sullivan
![Students gather to board the Rosen College of Hospitality Management shuttle that will have new departure times effective March 21.]( "Students gather to board the Rosen College of Hospitality Management shuttle that will have new departure times effective March 21.")
New Rosen shuttle times implemented to bring connectivity between campuses
Students move back into Rosen housing after pipe burst
Alexandra Sullivan
![UCF President Alexander Cartwright speaks about his pride in the UCF community and his hopes for the future at the UCF Downtown dedication ceremony on Feb. 10.]( "UCF President Alexander Cartwright speaks about his pride in the UCF community and his hopes for the future at the UCF Downtown dedication ceremony on Feb. 10.")
UCF Downtown holds its dedication ceremony after over two years of opening
UCF Downtown associate provost appointed
Alexandra Sullivan
![Dr. Youcheng Wang (second from left), dean of Rosen College of Hospitality Management, accepts a Polaris Star Award at Rosen on Jan. 29.]( "Dr. Youcheng Wang (second from left), dean of Rosen College of Hospitality Management, accepts a Polaris Star Award at Rosen on Jan. 29.")
Rosen dean awarded for advocating against human trafficking
Alexandra Sullivan
![Students "splash" in the bubble pit at the first-ever "Bubble Splash" event at UCF Downtown. "Bubble Splash" was created as a play on the annual Spirit Splash event on main campus.]( "Students \"splash\" in the bubble pit at the first-ever \"Bubble Splash\" event at UCF Downtown. \"Bubble Splash\" was created as a play on the annual Spirit Splash event on main campus.")
UCF Downtown holds first-ever 'Bubble Splash'
Check out the rest of my published work!
Vicki Landon looks to the future as the new director of Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Office
Vicki Landon walked Monday into her first day as leader of the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Office, a position previously held by only one person — the same person who created it more than 20 years ago.Landon, a pillar of the Orlando arts scene, is taking over the role long held by arts advocate Terry Olson, who spearheaded the department himself."Orange County has a really unique resource in the people and the force of creatives that are here in our community that you wouldn’t get in
The Abbey to host album release party for Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department'
Celebrate the ever-growing discography of one of pop culture's biggest names this month at the Abbey.The Orlando venue will host an album release party for Taylor Swift's latest release,, with vendors, drinks, interactive contests and more at 9 p.m. Thursday, April 18.Swift is known for her elaborate theming and fully immersive storylines, so the party hosted by Orlando-born Le Petite Fete is sure to follow suit. With themed decorations and refreshments, the Abbey will be turned into a palace of
Take a bow! Saint Motel head to Orlando as part of their 'Award Show' tour
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Halloween Horror Nights will kick off earlier than ever this year at Universal Orlando
The screams are starting earlier than ever before this year, as Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Orlando starting this August.The horror-filled event returns to the park for 48 select nights from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3.One of Orlando’s most anticipated annual Halloween events, Halloween Horror Nights has historically begun in September. It brings in guests from near and far every year to experience haunted houses, scare zones, live shows, exclusive food and drink options and to see t
Music in Mills concert series promises weekly free shows from Orlando musicians
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Photos: Universal Orlando unveils fiery new details about ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ world at Epic Universe
As opening day for the highly anticipated Epic Universe gets closer and closer, Universal Orlando continues to share information about what will make this new park so epic.Universal Orlando Resort revealed Thursday new details about theEpic Universe world, including rides, attractions, immersive experiences and plenty of fire-breathing creatures.
New barbecue concept Boxer and Clover soft opens at East End Market
Boxer and Clover is now in soft-opening mode at East End Market, bringing authentic barbecue to the space.The soft opening is happening just weeks after owner and chef Matt Hinckley’s other concept, Mid Drive Dive, opened in College Park. (He sure is making his mark across Orlando.)
Nicki Minaj brings the live experience of 'Pink Friday' to the Kia Center on, um, Friday
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'Cancelled' podcaster Tana Mongeau spills the tea in Orlando on Wednesday
The “Cancelled” podcast is hitting the road across North America and making a stop at Orlando’s Hard Rock Live on Wednesday with the kind of tea that can only be spilled in-person.
EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S COMEBACK ALBUM
Justin Timberlake’s newest album, titled Everything I Thought It Was, is to be released March 15 and will include a feature from NSYNC.
Olivia Rodrigo dazzled during 'Guts' tour stop in Orlando
“Obsessed” is an understatement.Olivia Rodrigo might just be the epitome of the “teenage dream.” The freshly 21-year-old pop star has a powerhouse voice with a rock & roll attitude. On Monday, Rodrigo performed on her first arena tour at Orlando's Kia Center with opener Chappell Roan. Her Guts World Tour appearance was long-awaited for many fans who have loved the star ever since her debut albumbut weren’t able to see her on her first tour — which had no Florida dates.Chappell Roan, a queer pop
New digitally immersive waterslide Tassie’s Underwater Twist opens at Aquatica in Orlando next week
Aquatica Orlando announced this week a brand new digitally immersive waterslide experience, Tassie’s Underwater Twist, is set to open March 15.
Alanis Morissette-inspired musical 'Jagged Little Pill' comes to Orlando this month
Jagged Little Pill is coming to Orlando from March 19 through March 24, bringing a Grammy-winning score of punk rock music to Dr. Phillips Center.
The musical based on Alanis Morissette’s music tells a coming-of-age story about a girl growing up in a seemingly perfect family Connecticut family and all of the real issues that are going on behind closed doors. The musical covers the complex themes of substance abuse and gender identity. The intricate story is balanced with familiar songs from Morissette’s Grammy Award-winning album Jagged Little Pill.
The musical based on Alanis Morissette’s music tells a coming-of-age story about a girl growing up in a seemingly perfect family Connecticut family and all of the real issues that are going on behind closed doors. The musical covers the complex themes of substance abuse and gender identity. The intricate story is balanced with familiar songs from Morissette’s Grammy Award-winning album Jagged Little Pill.
Orlando Fringe announces first-ever 'Out Fest' highlighting LGBTQ+ artists
Orlando Fringe announced its first-ever Orlando Out Fest: A Celebration of LGBTQIA Voices in the Arts, coming to town this summer.The new festival is set to take place June 27-30 at Fringe ArtSpace , at 54 W. Church St.The newest addition to its festival lineup, Orlando Out Fest will showcase a lineup of 12 local LGBTQIA artists putting on plays, musicals and more. Orlando Fringe produces the annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, the longest-running fringe festival in the country
Bar crawls, festivals and more St. Patrick's Day events happening in Orlando
Don your greenest apparel and head out to Underground Public House for this St. Patrick's day crawl.
Orlando is gearing up to be painted green with St. Patrick’s Day events starting this week and running through the big day on March 17. Be the life of the paddy at any of these events … or all of them, if you’re feeling lucky.
Orlando is gearing up to be painted green with St. Patrick’s Day events starting this week and running through the big day on March 17. Be the life of the paddy at any of these events … or all of them, if you’re feeling lucky.
Orlando Pride’s Scarf the City scavenger hunt event returns Wednesday
Orlando Pride’s Scarf the City scavenger hunt is set to make its return for the fifth year on Wednesday with more scarves than ever.The scavenger hunt features more than 3,000 scarves distributed across iconic Orlando locations.
The Orlando Philharmonic tackles the Caped Crusader at this weekend's 'Batman (1989)' in Concert
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Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.
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DeSantis expands police presence at popular vacation spots ahead of Florida spring break ‘mayhem’
Spring break, something Florida does maybe a little too well, is right around the corner. And Central Floridians looking to make the trip to Daytona Beach or South Florida can now expect to be greeted with amped-up police presence.Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday warned spring breakers that breaking the law in Florida will lead to “paying the price.”DeSantis announced in a news conference he has requested assistance for spring break from 17 different local law enforcement agencies, along with more t
Universal Orlando unveils new details about DreamWorks Land opening this summer
Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda will be in the spotlight in the new DreamWorks land finally beginning to take shape at Universal Studios Orlando.Universal announced Thursday all new details about the upcoming park, including Shrek’s swamp, a Trolls-themed coaster, Kung Fu training camp and more.Those missing Shrek and his friends at Universal ever since Shrek 4-D closed in January 2022 will now have the opportunity to hang out with the ogre once again. Guests will be able to visit Shrek’s Swamp
Orlando officials confirm Lake Eola Swans are dying from bird flu
The swans of Lake Eola Park are known to draw the public's attention, but this week, it’s out of concern instead of amazement.City of Orlando officials confirmed Wednesday several birds at Lake Eola Park had been infected with avian influenza, also known as bird flu. The announcement came after officials found several birds had died at the park.Four swans have been found dead in the past two weeks, two of which, a Royal Mute swan and an Australian black swan, were confirmed to have died from the
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost brings MadSoul Music Festival to Orlando this weekend
The MadSoul Music Festival, curated by Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, United States congressman from Florida's 10th District, takes place Saturday at Loch Haven Park. MadSoul is a music fest with a difference, intertwining performances and art with advocacy and activism. Festival-goers will hear from local and national civic leaders as well as music from Muna, Palomino Blond, Kaelin Ellis, I Met a Yeti, Nohemy and more. Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Anna Eskamani and Rep. Justin Jones are ju
Brightline pre-game train from Orlando to Miami's Ultra Music Fest has live DJs, pop-ups
Central Florida Fair kicks off this week with all the fried food, rides and live entertainment you can handle
The annual Central Florida Fair returns this week with classic fair food and attractions, plus somenew additions.Fairgoers can enjoy the classics — livestock exhibitions, interactive midway games and fried food — and there will be no shortage of extracurricular entertainment options with micro-wrestling, stunt performances, pony rides and stilt-walkers.Bizarre Boulevard, the newest addition to the fair, features a haunted house [], glass-blowing, chainsaw juggling, tarot readings, live art and m
Monster Jam rampages over Orlando's Camping World Stadium this weekend
Size matters. That’s why a 12,000-pound monster truck is way better than your average pickup ... at least when it comes to competing in Monster Jam.Hearts won’t be the only things racing on Saturday as this competition tests the monstrous machines (and their drivers) with plenty of jumping, smashing and full-throttle racing. From the iconic Grave Digger to the menacing Megalodon, drivers show off their skills with gravity-defying stunts and neck-breaking speed. The only thing scarier is driving
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