Luis Xavier De Peña

Reporter, Producer, Photographer

WESH •

Universal Epic Universe: Look back at the 6 years it took to build Orlando's newest theme park

Universal Epic Universe, Central Florida's newest theme park, has been long anticipated since its announcement in 2019.For the last six years, WESH 2 has covered every development from aerial views of a dirt lot to stepping inside the park for early previews. >> More Parks Central coverage Watch how Universal Orlando Resort brought Celestial Park, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk and Super Nintendo World to life.

Univer...
WESH •

Universal Epic Universe | Interactive Guide

WESH 2 is your home for all things Universal Epic Universe.Since 2019, WESH has been following all the latest developments for Universal's 4th theme park from construction to first views of new worlds set in popular series like Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon and Nintendo franchises. See the guide below to learn more about highly anticipated experiences like Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and where to meet Hiccup and Toothless.Related links:Un...
WESH •

Brian Burch picked as Ambassador to the Holy See

President-elect Donald Trump announced his pick for Ambassador to the Holy See via his social media site, Truth Social, Friday afternoon. Brian Burch is the president of Catholic Vote, a political advocacy group. Burch took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express his gratitude for the nomination in a thread. "The role of Ambassador is to represent the government of the United States in its relations with the Holy See," Burch posted on X. "The Catholic Church is the largest...
WESH •

'The great irony': Why Florida amendments fail with majority support

It is possible in the state of Florida for ballot amendments to receive a majority of the votes come election day but still fail. >> Video above: Where Florida amendments stand after the electionThat is exactly what happened to the two controversial amendments this week covering recreational marijuana for adult use and protections for abortion access. Related: Florida's Amendment 3 on recreational marijuana fails after not reaching 60% of voteAmendment 3 failed to pass while receiving 5,941,251...
WESH •

Florida Amendment 3 Debate on recreational marijuana | Commitment 2024

The Commitment 2024 debate series expands from covering the candidates in the general races to focusing on the amendments voters will decide on in November.>> Watch the debate here at 8 p.m. Friday:Amendment Three covers the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over.The amendment reads in part:

"Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion or otherwise."Re...
The Charge •

Florida Amendment 3 could pass marijuana from medical to recreational

There are nine amendments Florida residents could install into law this general election and Amendment 3 is one of the two controversial topics on the ticket.If passed, Florida Amendment 3 would allow for the personal and recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and over in the state. This amendment would allow for the possession, purchase or use of marijuana products for non-medical personal consumption. It would also allow Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state-licensed entitie...
The Charge •

UCF made up less than 1% of Orange County's primary voter turnout

UCF did not charge into the primary election Aug. 20, along with more than roughly 80% of Orange County's registered voters who did not show up to vote.The Orange County Supervisor of Elections office voter turnout summary showed that UCF’s polling location at Live Oak Center, Precinct 538, saw a total of 18 out of 404 registered voters, which can include students, faculty and staff. The UCF precinct made up 0.014% of votes cast in Orange County when calculated against total voter turnout....
The Charge •

VP debate series: College Democrats at UCF host watch party and play bingo

In a small, dimly lit classroom in UCF's Business Administration building, student Democrats were actively focused on a livestream projected in room 121 featuring the two vice presidential candidates in a debate that could determine the winner of the November election.College Democrats at UCF hosted a vice presidential debate watch party Tuesday night to watch the debate between Republican candidate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Democratic candidate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. Students started gathe...
The Charge •

UCF students attend boot camp to learn what it takes to start an organizational campaign

UCF students took to the streets and learned how to organize campaigning efforts Saturday at the Yes on 4 Organizing Bootcamp to teach students how to canvass for political issues ahead of the Nov. 5 election.The event was hosted by People Power For Florida and Yes on 4 at the Mathematical Sciences building at 10 a.m. and was focused on how to canvass in support of Amendment 4. Gabriel Gómez, youth organizing manager for Yes on 4, led the boot camp.
The boot camp aimed at educating stude...
WESH •

Watch: Commitment 2024 general election debate series

Commitment 2024 is WESH 2's long-running political initiative to bring the most comprehensive, fact-based information to viewers about the candidates that represent them and ballot initiatives they need to know about.This 2024 election year, we invited state and federal candidates across our nine-region coverage area in Central Florida to come in for a debate against their general opponents.>> Watch the debates belowModerated by political reporter Greg Fox, the general debate series offers viewe...
WESH •

Orange County Commissioner race recount following 5-vote difference.

Candidates Austin Arthur and Nicole Wilson could be waiting until the weekend to learn who will represent District 1 as commissioner. Christopher Heath, chief elections administrator, released a timeline for when results from the race could be expected after a machine recount and a possible manual recount, should it be called for. The Orange County Canvassing Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, to begin the process of canvassing “provisional ballots, duplicated ballots, and other r...
WESH •

Watch: Commitment 2024 debate series primary races

Commitment 2024 is WESH 2's long-running political initiative to bring the most comprehensive, fact-based information to viewers, including the primary debate series, which kicks off this week. This year we invited state and federal candidates across our nine-region area in Central Florida to come in for a debate against their primary opponents. >> Watch the debates belowModerated by political reporter Greg Fox, the primary debate series offers viewers a chance to hear answers to important ques...
Watermark Online •

Queer gamers come together for Anime Festival Orlando - Watermark Online

ORLANDO | Anime Festival Orlando took over the Rosen Plaza convention center June 28-30 bringing fans of Japanese animation and gaming together.


Watermark caught up in person with Charlette Gaymer Network to get their reaction on interactions at their hosted events and their thoughts about LGBTQ+ representation at the convention.


Leading up to the convention Watermark spoke to Jonny Saldana, co-founder of CGN, introducing readers to the organization. Saldana moderated the “Allyship: How to...
Watermark Online •

PHOTOS: Anime Festival Orlando wraps up Pride Month with festival - Watermark Online

ORLANDO | Queer fans of anime and gaming gathered as part of the 2024 Anime Festival Orlando at the Rosen Plaza convention center June 28-30.


The 3-day convention featured several LGBTQ+-focused panels and events including topics such as diversity in gaming, how to be an effective ally, gender in anime and more. The weekend also featured a drag race competition hosted by Oriana Perón and party games hosted by the Charlotte Gaymers Network.


Check out our photos from the festival below.


P...
Watermark Online •

PHOTOS: St Pete Pride’s Friday Night Concert with Sasha Colby - Watermark Online

ST. PETERSBURG | St Pete Pride kicked off its signature weekend of events June 21, welcoming nearly 2,000 people to Jannus Live for this year’s Friday Night Concert.


More than four hours of entertainment began at 6 p.m., emceed by Daddy Sparkle and Mr. Vyn Suazion. Among other fan favorites, Brianna Summers, Mr. and Miss Tampa Pride 2024, Jay Miah, Daphne Ferraro and members of the 2023 and 2024 St Pete Pride Royal Courts performed.


The evening concluded with a headlining performance from...
Watermark Online •

Sara Elizabeth Grossman introduces her first children's book with a puppy themed Paw-ty - Watermark Online

KISSIMMEE, Fla. | White Rose Books in Kissimmee hosted a book reading paw-ty for Sara Elizabeth Grossman’s first children’s book, “Schnauzer in a Sweater-Vest,” on June 13.


“Schnauzer in a Sweater-Vest” tells the story of Grossman’s dog, Baxter, going to the Pride parade with his friends. While on the way there they meet other puppy friends and learn what makes them unique.


White Rose owners, Tania Galiñanes and Erin Decker, held the event to allow LGBTQ+ youth see themselves represented i...
Watermark Online •

PHOTOS: SAK Comedy Lab celebrates new Orlando location with grand opening event - Watermark Online

ORLANDO | SAK Comedy Lab opened the doors of its new location at 55 W. Church St. in Orlando June 8 to a packed house.


Housing a 180-seat auditorium, the foyer features a street facade with images of past productions and cast members on the walls reminiscent of flyers placed on the side of buildings.


The comedy lab opened the first show of the space with a ribbon cutting ceremony with some words by founders Terry Olson and Dave Russell.


“SAK has always been creative, and it is amazing t...
Watermark Online •

PHOTOS: Crowds cheer for LGBTQ+ sports at The Pride Cup 2024 - Watermark Online

ORLANDO | The Pride Cup, an annual LGBTQ+ multi-sport competition held during Red Shirt Pride Days June 1-2 in Orlando, was a huge success for the KindRED Pride Foundation.


With events welcoming all levels of athletes, the spirit of the competition was “Be Kind Champion.”


This year’s Pride Cup featured a day of golf, an event in partnership with The Pride Chamber, at Dubsdread on May 31 and a series of tournaments for basketball, cornhole, kickball, pickleball, soccer and volleyball June 1...
Watermark Online •

Zebra Youth prepares for 4th annual LGBTQ+ Youth Pride Prom

Zebra Youth is gearing up for its annual LGBTQ+ youth Pride Prom, with this year’s theme “Masquerade,” at The Plaza Live June 14.

Established in 2010, Zebra Youth is a local nonprofit organization that provides drop-in services for housing and mental health counseling to between 300-350 queer youth per year.

“We have a lot of activities and events throughout the year that help youth connect with one another and one of them being our upcoming Pride prom,” says Heather Wilkie, executive director
Watermark Online •

Orlando Fringe Review: 'A Nerdy Gay Juggling Show' - Watermark Online

Juggler Jacob D’Eustachio opened the dress rehearsal to his one-man, circus-style comedy show to press and sponsors of Fringe on May 14.


The show is an endearing mix of juggling and comedy that takes Fringe viewers on a journey through D’Eustachio’s life from coming out as gay to becoming a successful juggler. Attendees will hear tales from D’Eustachio’s early life to his time traveling through locations such as Quebec, India and Texas where the performer worked and honed his craft.


D’Eust...
Watermark Online •

VIDEO: Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker receives backlash for commencement speech

Harrison Butker, the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, is receiving backlash following a commencement speech he gave over the weekend.

The Benedictine College commencement speech was posted to YouTube May 11. Critics of the speech have been progressively posting on various social media platforms.

Butker, 28, touched on multiple topics commenting on issues such as abortion, IVF, COVID lockdowns and Pride Month. While taking jabs at the previous topics, the majority of his speech and subsequent
Watermark Online •

PHOTOS: Orlando Fringe kicks off 33rd festival with ribbon cutting, teaser show

ORLANDO | Orlando Fringe kicked off its 33rd festival May 14 in the Universal Orlando Theatre of the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

The festival officially started with a teaser show comprised of 1-minute scenes and vignettes of upcoming productions. The show opened with a ribbon cutting featuring Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.

Other notable audience members were Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, former Congresswoman Val Demings and Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskaman
NSM.today •

UCF student uses video game project as cultural preservation tool

One UCF student at the downtown campus is finding a way to utilize a video game to preserve and share her culture.

Lolita Kuznietsova is a senior digital media major in the game design track at UCF’s downtown campus who showcased a prototype for a narrative-based game at Student Research Week last month in the Pegasus Ballroom.

Originally from Dnipro in central Ukraine, Kuznietsova moved to Orlando roughly four years ago to attend UCF. The last time she visited home was back in 2021, just befo
NSM.today •

VR Sculpting Workshop at UCF Downtown campus

The Maker Space took students into virtual reality for a brief workshop about sculpting in VR on Wednesday at the Communications and Media Building.

Dr. John Murray, assistant professor of Games and Interactive Media, walked students through the introduction of utilizing VR for the creation of 3D-printed models.

“We focused primarily on how to create models that were appropriate for 3D printing,” Dr. Murray said. “So things that had the right features, low amounts of details, and that could be
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