Michael Shen

Who I am

I am a student journalist currently in my sophomore year at the University of Central. I have a great passion for journalism and the positive change it can contribute to the world. Join me as I try to do my part in changing the world, one story at a time. 

My Latest Work

VoxPopuli •

Several Bankson bills continue to advance through House committees

House Bill 999 would make gold and silver available to be used as money to purchase goods and services and exempt the materials from personal property tax.Currently, the precious metals can only be used for investment purposes. It passed by 16-0 in its initial reading in the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee March 20 and will now be considered in the Ways and Means Committee.Republican Rep. Chip Lamarca of Broward County co-sponsored the bill, while Sen. Ana Maria Gomez, a Republican, introduce...
Voxpopuli •

Bankson bill cracking down on xylazine advances to House Judiciary Committee

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, xylazine use has spread to every state, and overdose deaths are increasing. In a 2023 study from the National Center for Health Statistics, the most recent year available, overdose deaths involving xylazine were 35 times higher in 2021 than in 2018. Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported that in the first six months of 2023, in the 278 deaths in which a medical examiner detected xylazine, it was the cause of death in 56 percent of ca...
VoxPopuli •

Truenow Senate bills on inmate education, brownfields regulation, manufacturing advance

Senate Bill 472 aims to help inmates get credit for education programs offered in correctional facilities that will help get them licensed after they’re released. The bill would require the Correctional Education Program (CEP) to work with relevant professional licensing boards to design and implement a plan that would allow inmates who take such classes meet the necessary curriculum requirements and receive the appropriate credit. The bill passed the Committee on Criminal Justice March 4 by 9-0...
VoxPopuli •

Is your license REAL ID compliant?

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government standardize identification sources, like driver’s licenses, according to the DHS. Florida began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver licenses on Jan. 1, 2010, according to the Florida Department of Highway and Safety Vehicles. Federal enforcement began in 2020, but was complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadline was last extended in 2023 to the current May 7 date.Speaking at Winter Garden...
The Charge •

Student represents UCF at the annual SCUSA foreign policy conference

As a UCF student walked past towering stone buildings and cadets enduring rigorous training, he steeled himself in preparation to play the part of a foreign policy delegate at the U.S.' oldest military post.Nassim Islam, senior political science major, said he has only been at UCF since spring 2023, but he's already made big waves in the political science department after being chosen to attend the 75th Student Conference on U.S. Affairs at the United States Military Academy West Point....
VoxPopuli •

Here's what your legislators are working on in Tallahassee

Thompson — a Democrat who represented northwestern Orange County including Oakland, Ocoee, Pine Hills, Gotha, part of Orlando and Apopka — passed away Feb. 13 after complications from knee surgery. Before her death, she introduced two bills. Senate Bill 208, co-sponsored with Sen. Kristen Arrington, would create an agreement among states to elect the president and vice president of the United States by national popular vote.Senate Bill 246, co-sponsored with Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, would revis...
VoxPopuli •

Ocoee announces 2025 Neighborhood Matching Grant Program

Running for close to 20 years, the matching grant program was previously known as the Most Valuable Partnership Award, but in 2019, it was overhauled and renamed to make the process easier. The distribution pot got bigger too. Previously the city had just $12,000 to disburse, but in 2023, that grew to $28,000. To quality for a grant, projects must fit into one of three categories: HOAs must have their boards greenlight a project; attach the minutes to the application. Non-HOA neighborhoods must...
VoxPopuli •

Oliver refused to commit to full term if elected during Ocoee Political Forum

That candid admission came as part of the forum matchup between Oliver, first elected in 2018 and now pursuing a third term on the commission, and Ages Hart, seeking his first term in the nonpartisan municipal election on March 11. Hart served as District 4 Commissioner for 11 months until a special election could be held after Oliver vacated his seat in 2023. Hart emphasized later in the evening that he was "willing to make the commitment for four years to serve as your city commissioner. But m...
VoxPopuli •

Candidate Profile: Mandy David

In a crowded field with four other candidates, Mandy David, 48, is making the case for why Windermere voters should give her a third term on the Windermere Town Council, saying she’s capable of making the tough choices. “We’re doing what’s best for the town and the residents and sometimes you have to make those hard decisions,” said David, who heads JFD Communications, which provides American Sign Language interpreting services. “But I’d like to be able to continue making those for the best inte...
VoxPopuli •

Candidate Profile: Jessica Lee

First-time candidate Jessica Lee wants to give residents back their voice — an asset, she claimed, they’re losing. “I want people, no matter who you are in this town, to feel like someone’s listening to you and truly considering what’s important to you,” the 34-year-old told VoxPopuli. In an interview, Lee declared that the town council lacks transparency. She said that she wants to be a “voice for people who live here in town who feel right now that they don't have a voice and that there’s real...
The Charge •

Alpha Psi Omega premieres fall play "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind"

Actors frantically performed 30 plays in 60 minutes and brought audience members directly into the action Monday night. Chi Xi, UCF’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society, premiered its fall play “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” in the Performing Arts Center Studio 1.
According to the Chicago Reader, “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” was written by Greg Allen and consists of 30 short plays performed in 60 minutes in a random order based on audience sel...
The Charge •

UCF Homecoming hosts annual Movie Knight

Students erupted in laughter at the humorous scenes and squirmed in their seats Tuesday night from the sci-fi horror film "Nope.”The film was shown for the annual Movie Knight for UCF Homecoming week and took place in the Pegasus Ballroom.
UCF Homecoming gave out free T-shirts at the event for students who follow the organization's Instagram account, along with a themed cup, popcorn and soda.According to Time Magazine, "Nope" was directed by Jordan Peele and follows two siblings who are...
The Charge •

Knights of the Paw fosters a community of inclusion and art on campus

Kyzer Nyguen, sophomore social sciences major, reflected on last spring's Knight-Thon where they discovered Knights of the Paw, UCF's only furry club.“I used to be a hater, but they really helped me out at Knight-Thon," Nyguen said. "I realized I got along way better with these people compared to others at UCF."
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a furry is someone who identifies with and enjoys sometimes dressing as anthropomorphic animals or creatures, meaning those taking on...