Rick's Blog

Recent Posts

Podcast: Florida’s Property Tax Debate—DeSantis vs. House

In Florida’s current political landscape, a heated debate over tax relief has emerged between Gov. Ron DeSantis and key legislative leaders. Speaking at a Hope…

Daily Outtakes: First Couple defends Hope Florida

At a roundtable held at a church in Brandon yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis defended Hope Florida, describing it as not…

Pensacola Sports honos high school senors

Since the early 1980s, Pensacola Sports has proudly celebrated the dedication, talent, and heart of our area’s top senior student-athletes through a scholarship recognition program….

Children’s Trust funds Early Learning Coalition for a third year

In a recent meeting, the Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) Board unanimously approved a commitment letter to fund the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Escambia County…

Escambia County’s Jamison Gilman awarded Florida Sheriffs Association STEM Scholarship

In the northwest corner of Florida, Escambia County continues to produce remarkable students who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, and commitment to their communities. Jamison…

Children’s Trust Board supports Summer Youth Employment

The Escambia Children’s Trust held its regular meeting on Tuesday evening, with significant discussions focused on a potential partnership with Escambia County regarding tax increment…

Hofberger holds first town hall tonight, more scheduled

District 4 County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger invites the public to three “Community Conversations” meetings, which provide an opportunity for residents to visit with their commissioner…

Leadership Northwest Florida graduates third class

The future of Northwest Florida looks brighter as 17 distinguished leaders from across the region recently completed an intensive seven-month educational journey designed to foster…

Daily Outtakes: Pam knows best, so she thinks

In January, Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers denied a $86,250 payment request from Visit Pensacola, and in doing so, she put herself above the Escambia…

Florida Budget Deadlock Continues

Budget negotiations remain stalled. During Tuesday’s session, Perez announced the House has offered several proposals, including a “lean, critical-needs budget with minimal spending and no…

UWF Board chair to faculty: “We are in a pivotal moment in Florida higher education”

Dear Colleagues, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with President Saunders and know her decision to resign was made with much thought and reflection. Her…

Presser Takeaways: Recycling Rates, American Magic, Budget

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves held his weekly press conference this morning. Fresh off a flight from Washington D.C., he shared insights from his meetings with…

NETC names Pensacola native Sailor of the Year

The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) has announced Master-at-Arms First Class (MA1) Patrick Hill as its fiscal year 2024 Sailor of the Year (SOY)…

Invoice Impasse: Childers refusing to cut checks, putting tourism at risk

On a Friday afternoon in late April 2025, Betsy Wooten from the Clerk of Courts office typed out a message to Allyson Parden at the…

How will the UWF Board handle the presidential search?

We have two recent examples of how Trustees have handled presidential searches; each has taken a very different approach. In February, the University of South…