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2026 trial date leaves downtown Orlando bars in limbo, for now

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Guilty verdict FILE PHOTO: Jose Ibarra was found guilty of the murder of Laken Riley. (olegkruglyak3 - stock.adobe.com)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Orlando’s late-night alcohol ordinance might drag on for years, with a trial date set for May 2026.

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Both sides of the case met Nov. 26 for a planning conference and agreed on a series of deadlines that culminate with the trial.

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That’s a long time to wait for the nightclub owners contending the costs associated with the ordinance could wipe them out of business, as some of the owners previously told Orlando Business Journal at a July 9 meeting at City Hall.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

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