Author: Rick Outzen
TBT, Politico Report on State Vouchers Issues
Two weeks ago, I reported on the accountability nightmare surrounding Florida’s state voucher program. “The scholarship program is about a $4.3 billion issue right now,…
Top Reads: Week Ended Oct. 25, 2025
Readers are curious about what will happen to the Grand Hotel, which towers over the Pensacola Bay Center. For months, we have heard rumors that…
DeSantis Complains But Offers No Plan
Late Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted on X, criticizing the Florida House’s proposed constitutional amendment to cut property taxes. He wrote, “Placing more than one…
Neighborhood Battle Continues: City Council Remands East Government St. Variance
The Pensacola City Council waded into the neighborhood dispute that I reported last month during a quasi-judicial hearing on Oct. 22. The special meeting focused…
A Petty Denial: New College President Refuses Emerita Status for Faculty Chair
In the ongoing transformation of New College of Florida—what many alumni call “the takeover” — President Richard Corcoran’s recent denial of emerita status to Professor…
Struggling with Kindergarten Readiness
In 2018, Achieve Escambia created the Kindergarten Readiness Action Network (KRAN). Why? For the first time since 2014, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) had…
What’s the latest on Baptist parcels
At his press conference on Tuesday, Mayor D.C. Reeves addressed the status of the Baptist Hospital “legacy” parcels, particularly focusing on the decision to list…
Florida’s $40 Million Question: How DeSantis Used Your Tax Dollars to Fight Ballot Measures
The Hope Florida Foundation investigation is just the tip of the iceberg of DeSantis’ alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars. A damning new investigation has uncovered…
Kindergarten Readiness by School
In 16 of Escambia County’s elementary schools, fewer than one in three kindergarteners reported being ready to start school last year. Six of the schools…
Hollice T. Williams Project Rebuilds Neighborhood
City unveils Hollice T. Williams Park design David Williams stared admiringly at the map sprawled across the gymnasium floor Tuesday night at the Cobb Center….
Inside the Plan to Redevelop Grand Hotel
Developer George Hawthorne envisions remodeling the Pensacola Grand Hotel into an upscale establishment worthy of its name. Background: The 15-story Grand Hotel is the tallest…
Final Hollice T. Williams Park Project Meeting Tonight
After more than a year of research, community engagement, and design development, the team reimagining Hollice T. Williams Park and the Long Hollow Stormwater Pond…
Yikes, Kindergarten Readiness Dropped for 2024-25 School Year
According to the Florida Department of Educaton, only 36% of Escambia County kindergarteners were ready to start school for the 2024-25 school year — a…
Feeding the Gulf Coast Expands Food Access Amid Federal Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, thousands of federal employees and contractors across South Alabama, South Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle have now gone without…
Little Support Tiny Homes Ordinance
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners discussed on Thursday whether to adopt a tiny homes ordinance, revealing deep divisions about affordable housing strategies and…
Former Trustee Calls Out New Pensacola State College Board
In viewpoint published by the News Journal, Pensacola business leader Julian MacQueen calls out the four new trustees who believes have altered the college’s successful…
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area Announces 2025 Grant Recipients
Yesterday, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area announced the 12 grant recipients selected at this year’s Annual Meeting. Each will receive a grant of $103,500 from…
Top Reads: Week ended Oct. 18, 2025
Little-known Pensacola attorney Zach Smith has tried to make a name for himself as Pensacola’s DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) enforcer. As trustess for both…
UF/IFAS Escambia Extension Peanut Butter Challenge Underway Through Nov. 24
UF/IFAS Escambia Extension’s annual Peanut Butter Challenge is underway, with donations accepted now through Monday, Nov. 24. Coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University…
Guardian ad Litem Foundation Needs Your Support
Guardian ad Litem Foundation has a major fundraiser next month—“Give and Groove” with the Mulligans on Friday, November 7, at The Sanctuary, 716 N. 9th…
