What's Happening in Ocala, Florida Today?

Owen Plotner and Twyla Martin, both Belleview Middle School runners, won the 2nd Annual Ocala Kids Run as 133 children ages 3-14 finished at the Baseline Road Trailhead.

Christopher Taylor, 15, won the 5th Annual Retro Run 5K in 18:48.9 the night after racing at Cecil Field. Lauren Godwin led the women among 180 finishers.

Rock The Country brings Brooks & Dunn and Blake Shelton to the Florida Horse Park, plus a free John Travolta screening, two Reilly shows and a kids run.

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra's 36th Annual Young Artist Competition finals take the Reilly Arts Center stage January 10, 2027. Winners in the Junior and Senior divisions go on to perform a concerto with the orchestra at March's Fate Awakens concert.

Every public school that carried a "D" grade in Marion County last year improved in the state's 2025-26 school grades. Oakcrest Elementary jumped two full letter grades, straight to a "B."

Three of Marion County's five charter schools dropped a letter grade in the state's 2025-26 school grades, including the only school in the entire county to earn an F. Here's how each charter scored, and how that compares to the rest of the district.

Marion County is the fastest-growing metro in the U.S. for a second straight year, and it's under Phase III Extreme water restrictions in both water management districts at once. Here's what's driving the aquifer strain, what's actually causing Silver Springs' flow decline, and what the Live Local Act does and doesn't change.

Four alligator encounters have hit Central Florida waterways since Memorial Day, including a fatal attack in Seminole County. Here's what's confirmed — and where Marion County's long-running push to reopen swimming at Silver Springs actually stands.

5th Annual Retro Run 5K through downtown Ocala. Throwback-themed run/walk for all paces. Register on RunSignUp.... Learn more about this exciting community event.