Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston “Just Happened” to Be There...

In a world filled with unexpected twists and turns, readers of the Orlando Local News expect diverse coverage from the outlet's writers.

Indeed, a wide range of authors and patrons enhance the Orlando Local News daily. From Editorial Opinons to guest commentators, the publication offers a variety of perspectives on Orlando's daily and yearly happenings.

Endowed with both a local and national perspective on news and current events, Orlando Local News Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston has always held a penchant for the cosmopolitan. He "just happened to be there" over the past decade when major world events broke out...

He "just happened" to be there, when the Iraqi Civil War blew up...

In June 2014, as the Iraqi Civil War raged, Orlando Local News Editor Marshall Swanson-Polston “just happened“ to be in Iraq during the tumult. Swanson-Polston dodged security checkpoints manned by Iran’s revolutionary guard and their proxy force, al-Hashed Shaabi. Polston returned five times to Iraq for charity and academic research, notwithstanding near imprisonment for his journalistic, research, and philanthropic efforts while leaving an airport in northern Iraq.

He "just happened" to be there when violence disrupted Washington during Trump's 2017 inaugural celebration...

In January of 2017, Swanson-Polston "just happened" to be in Washington, DC as a guest of former President Donald J. Trump's inauguration when riots erupted in the streets and mobs flooded the city, breaking windows and dousing a limousine ablaze with gasoline.

He "just happened" to be there when world leaders converged on Paris for the 2018 Centennial of Armistice Day...

In November 2018, Swanson-Polston “just happened“ to be in Paris as part of a civilian American delegation accompanying the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the end of the "First World War", on November 11. Polston’s day began with pomp and circumstance at Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, also attended by the President of the United States and France, concluding with a gala at Le Cercle de L'Union Interalliée, one of Paris' most formidable and exclusive clubs.

He "just happened" to be there when war struck in Ukraine...

In March 2022, Swanson-Polston "just happened" to be Lviv, Ukraine when an airstrike hit a nearby oil refinery just blocks from his apartment, injuring several civilians and damaging a school.

He "just happened" to be there during Queen Elizabeth's funeral...

In Autumn of 2022, Swanson-Polston traveled to London to pay homage to Queen Elizabeth II. Following his wait in a sixteen hour queue, took part in a special ceremony at the Ritz to commemorate the life of the queen. Orlando Local News Editor Swanson-Polston later visited his distant cousin Richard Fiennes at his request, Lord Saye and Sele, in Banbury, England, where Polston helped celebrate his relative's 102nd birthday. Polston presented his cousin with letters and flags from US Senators and Representatives, including Florida's own Rick Scott.

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Gallery

Pictured: Swanson-Polston meets with local leaders in Mosul as violence erupted over Kurdistan's independence referendum.

Pictured: Swanson-Polston opens a program during preparations of 2017's Presidential inauguration.

Pictured: Swanson-Polston attends 2018's Centennial Armistice commemoration in Paris.

Pictured: Swanson-Polston in Lviv, Ukraine, days before airstrikes commenced in 2022.

Pictured: Swanson-Polston honors Queen Elizabeth II in London during her family's time of mourning.