Journalist

Ryan Gillespie

Ryan Gillespie covers the neighborhoods and governments of Orlando. He grew up in Jupiter and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He was previously an intern for the Sentinel.

Orlando city commissioner Patty Sheehan talks about the deaths in recent weeks of 12 swans at Lake Eola Park, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Sheehan has been a longtime advocate for the care of the iconic birds, including championing the city’s Swan-A-Thon fundraising program. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

12 swans found dead at Orlando’s Lake Eola Park, bird flu suspected

December 29, 2025 at 3:21 p.m.

Prior to the recent deaths, the swan population at the park was estimated to be between 50 and 60.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia criticizes Seminole County government spending during a press conference at Decision Tactical in Sanford, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Florida CFO pitches standardizing budgets of cities and counties

December 18, 2025 at 3:14 p.m.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is pitching legislation requiring local governments to post their budgets online and identify 10% spending cuts.

Students gather for a ‘Welcome Back Popsicle Social’ in front of Millican Hall and the Reflection Pond, on the first day of school for UCF, on Monday, August 23, 2021.
(High-dynamic-range composite image by Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Florida DOGE seeks information on every course taught at universities

November 21, 2025 at 3:37 p.m.

Gov. Ron DeSantis DOGE effort has told Florida universities to turn over information of courses and majors offered, including all syllabi.

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings and his wife and former congresswoman Val Demings are seen on Nov. 6 after he announced his candidacy for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Fundraising and barnstorming ahead as Jerry Demings begins Florida governor campaign

November 14, 2025 at 9:12 a.m.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings will spend the next year convincing donors big and small he is the Democrats' best candidate, building a campaign operation from the ground up. It...

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings announces his candidacy for Florida governor, at a campaign kickoff rally at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Thursday, Nov.6, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

As he runs for Florida governor, Jerry Demings says ‘help is on the way’

November 7, 2025 at 1:59 p.m.

“We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership," Demings said.

The families of two men killed in downtown Orlando during crowded Halloween celebrations in 2024 have filed suit against the city and the operators of the Wall Street Plaza entertainment complex, alleging the entities’ negligence in contributing to the deaths and 10 injuries. (Orlando Police Department/Courtesy, file)

Families of 2024 Halloween shooting victims sue Orlando, Wall Street Plaza operator

October 29, 2025 at 6:10 p.m.

The families of two men killed in a downtown Orlando Halloween shooting, including a 19-year-old UCF student from Weston, filed lawsuits against the city and the operators of the Wall...

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for Ivey Flats, a 137-unit affordable apartment community, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Jerry Demings trails leading Republicans for governor in first poll testing his candidacy

October 28, 2025 at 3:06 p.m.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings hasn't filed for Florida governor yet, but in the first poll on his rumored candidacy, he's trailing top GOP candidates.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, pictured at an Orange County Commission meeting last month, defended the county's spending plan at a public hearing Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Mayor hints at governor bid, slams CFO’s claims Orange County overspends by $200M

September 16, 2025 at 9:16 a.m.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia charged Monday that Orange County leaders could “easily” slash $200 million from their budget.

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