MONDAY, JUNE 29  ·  ☀ 97° HEAT INDEX 106°  ·  DONALDS IN WINTER GARDEN  ·  5 DAYS TO JULY 4

MONDAY, JUNE 29, MMXXVI  ·  WEST ORANGE CO., FL

Good Morning, Winter Garden

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Florida’s gubernatorial frontrunner Byron Donalds came to Winter Garden to meet with faith leaders.

Congressman Byron Donalds — widely considered the frontrunner for Florida governor — made a stop in Winter Garden to meet with local faith leaders, the Orange Observer reports. The visit puts Winter Garden in the middle of a statewide conversation about who will lead Florida next, and signals that faith community engagement in West Orange County matters to the candidate’s outreach strategy. The gubernatorial race is still early, but visits like this suggest Donalds is already building local relationships ahead of a potential run.

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Outdoors Alert Two Alligator Attacks in One Day Across Central Florida. A woman died after an alligator attack in the Little Big Econ River, and a juvenile was bitten at Nelson Fish Camp in Umatilla — two separate incidents in a single day, WFTV reports. A reminder: keep distance from Florida waterways, especially during summer when alligators are most active. WFTV Channel 9 →

Weather Saharan Dust Is Cutting Storm Coverage Across Central Florida. Saharan dust drifting across the Atlantic is suppressing storm development in Central Florida, WFTV reports — a natural phenomenon that’s giving us slightly drier conditions than forecast. It won’t stop the July 4 week storms entirely, but may help reduce frequency. WFTV Channel 9 →

☀ 97° and a heat index of 106° today — the hottest of the week. Storms likely after 2 PM.

5-DAY · NWS MELBOURNE · WINTER GARDEN, FL

MON ⛈ 97° 60%⛈

TUE ⛈ 94° 70%⛈

WED ☀ 92° 40%⛈

THU ⛈ 92° 70%⛈

FRI ⛈ 94° 70%⛈

Today is the hottest day at 97° — limit outdoor time during peak afternoon hours. Tuesday brings 70% storms; The Sandlot screening is at 7 PM so watch conditions. Wednesday drops to 40%, then storms return Thursday (70%) and Friday (70%) heading into July 4th weekend.

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More from West Orange and beyond.

America 250 Six Florida Trailblazers Who Shaped American History. Fox 35 highlights six Florida icons who shaped the country’s story in a piece timed to America’s 250th anniversary. It’s a good reminder that Florida has been central to American history far longer than its reputation as a theme park destination might suggest. Fox 35 →

Weather Alert A Tropical Low May Form, Bringing Rain to Central Florida. A tropical low is developing that could bring additional rainfall to Central Florida, WFTV reports. The NHC currently tracks it at a 20% development chance. Combined with elevated storm patterns already in the forecast, this bears watching through the July 4th holiday week. WFTV Channel 9 →

Local News Orange County Deputies Blocked Off a Winter Garden Street Sunday. Orange County Sheriff’s deputies cordoned off a Winter Garden street Sunday for an active investigation, Fox 35 reported. Details on the nature of the incident were limited as of press time — follow local news for updates if you’re in the area. Fox 35 →

gmwgnews.com · hello@gmwgnews.com
WFTV · Fox 35 · NWS Melbourne · Orange Observer · City of WG · Horizon West Happenings · June 29, 2026

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