Latest news with #GeovanyDias
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Orlando sees surge in holiday travelers despite economic concerns
An expert told Channel 9 that tourists from the U.S. and other countries might avoid traveling altogether due to economic concerns. According to Geovany Dias, the Orlando International Airport was busier than usual for this holiday weekend. One traveler shared, 'We make regular trips down here—it's just a joy for us to be here.' Families are arriving in Central Florida, and most of them told Channel 9 they are excited about the warm weather. Reporter Geovany Dias asked travelers, 'What's the most exciting part about being in Orlando for you?' A traveler responded, 'The weather, and in Indiana, we don't have palm trees.' Once again, Orlando is the top destination for domestic travel, which benefits local businesses. Felipe Andre from Gostoso Bakery explained, 'After school finishes, that's when people start to come. Families start to travel to Orlando to enjoy the parks, the Orlando area, all that good stuff.' Reports indicate that over 150,000 people are passing through the airport every single day since last Thursday. However, with concerns regarding tariffs, some experts predict a potential change in travel numbers next year. Daniel Hornung from the National Economic Council stated, 'We are seeing a lot of indications that consumers are worried about the prices of the range of things going up, and that just leaves less money at the month for the discretionary things, like big trips.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It's very educational': Thousands show up for Volusia Valor Days in DeLand
The community in Volusia County and across Central Florida is invited to visit the fairgrounds in DeLand for the Volusia Valor Days. The event showcases World War 2 tanks, artillery, and wheeled vehicles. 'By coming to this event, the community gets to see how we operated the tanks, how we operated the vehicles, how the structure of the military would've operated during WW2,' said Sargent Skips Inge, with the WW2 Armor. The event is back for a second year, bringing thousands of visitors on a journey through American history. 'It's very educational. We home school, so this is cool just for them to see things,' said a visitor with her two children at the event. 'This is an unusual and incredible Collection. These things don't exist anymore. There were 43,000 Sherman tanks built in World War Two; we have five of them here,' another visitor said. All around, there were real trucks, guns, and uniforms, all from World War II. The event also offers a first responder touch-a-truck display and many historic vehicles from different decades. 'What's the coolest thing you've seen so far?' Channel 9′s Geovany Dias asked 10-year-old Eli, who was visiting from Jacksonville. 'Probably these big ol' tanks,' he said. 'I heard about this in Jacksonville. This was the second festival they've ever had. It's the largest private collection of WW2 tanks. So, I thought it would be interesting,' said Tanya Thomas, who attended the event with her son. At the Volusia Valor Days, you'll also find historians, authors, and actors teaching about the battles and characters that shaped the history of our country and the world. 'I'm a descendant of a woman who worked during World War Two,' said Angie Morthland with the American Rosie Riveter Association. 'So, we're going to keep history alive and remember the service members and the home front during World War II.' The event is free and ends at 5 pm on Sunday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We need to protect these people': Venezuelan community concerned after losing protected status
The Venezuelan community across Central Florida is on edge. It comes as the Department of Homeland Security removed Venezuela from the list of countries with temporary protected status in the United States. 'Do you fear for the safety of your people,' Channel 9′s Geovany Dias asked William Diaz, Founder of Casa de Venezuela. 'Absolutely, all the time,' Diaz said. Diaz was born and raised in Venezuela. For the past two decades, he's been helping other Venezuelans come to the U.S. looking for a better life. Now, he's bracing for a drastic change. Read: Family of Orlando reporter killed files lawsuit against Spectrum 13′s parent company 'Public utilities do not work. The roads are in terrible conditions; people die because the hospitals have no resources,' Diaz said. 'How do you call that? A humanitarian crisis!' Currently, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans are under temporary protected status - TPS. The status is given to citizens from countries experiencing political instability. With the document, they can temporarily live, work, and pay taxes in the United States. Under the Biden Administration, TPS for Venezuelans was granted for the first time in 2021. And before he left the white house in January, the former president extended the status until 2026. Read: 'Mob mentality beatdown' : Volusia Sheriff condemns party turned violent However, on Tuesday, the Trump Administration revoked the measure. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said on social media - that DHS is 'ending the ridiculous Biden Administration order that allowed illegal immigrants from Venezuela to stay in our country and violate our laws.' According to Orlando immigration attorney Walter Santos, the list of countries that qualify for TPS changes based on their political climate. 'The foreigner is allowed to stay in the United States until the last day of their TPS, the day after they are here illegally,' Santos said. Read: Suspected Serial Killer named 'Person of Interest' in 40-year-old Lake County murder case The attorney also explained that, in the case of Venezuela, not much has changed regarding the country's political climate and that Venezuelan citizens must have no criminal record to qualify for TPS and must be fingerprinted. 'The situation is even worse now than it was many years ago. Now is the time to protect these people who are already here and working legally, contributing. We're not talking about criminals. We're not talking about people who are violating the law.' Casa de Venezuela is joining 80+ organizations nationwide to look into legal options to bring TPS back. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
