News - Rick's Blog

UWF Releases Public Comments on LGBTQ+ changes

Less than an hour after I posted about our public record issues with the University of West Florida, the UWF Office of General Counsel sent…

UWF Student Code of Conduct Concerns Hidden From Public

The Student Government Association and the Dean of Students Office are hosting a Town Hall meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, in the…

See New Bills Going Into Effect in Two Days

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A more than decade-long push by business groups will pay off next week with the…

New Poll Shows Byron Donalds Beatable

The James Madison Institute’s latest poll of 1,200 registered Florida voters offers crucial insights as Florida heads toward the 2026 gubernatorial election. The governor’s is…

Bye, Bye, Bonus Rebate

Pensacola Energy’s limited-time $200 bonus rebate for water heaters ends Sept. 30. Customers eligible for this rebate must submit the necessary paperwork before the Tuesday…

How Cincinnati Transformed Its Greatest Challenge Into Its Greatest Success

When Jill Miller, President and CEO of Bethesda Inc. and the bi3 Fund, stood on the Saengar Theatre stage at the 2025 Civic Leader Summit,…

Florida Open Carry: What Changes After Court Ruling

This is the third in a series of podcasts concerning the recent appellate court decision lifting Florida’s open carry prohibition. We have interviewed Escambia Sheriff…

UWF drops Juneteenth, adds Columbus Day as paid holiday

The University of West Florida administration has proposed 16 changes to the UWF regulations, ranging from the Student Code of Conduct to Procurement Services. On…

Poll: America at a Breaking Point with Political Violence

The shooting of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through American society, and a new Quinnipiac University poll reveals his murder on a college campus has…

UWF Holding Town Hall on Student Code UPDATE

Last month, I reported that a change proposed to the University of West Florida Student Code of Conduct appeared to make it okay to sexually…

Summit Speech: Reeves’ Campaign Message for 2026?

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves opened the Civic Leaders Summit on Wednesday, outlining his vision for the city’s future. He emphasized significant investments in infrastructure, housing,…

WSRE Foundation Ain’t Broke. Can $5.5M Save WSRE?

A Sept. 11 phone call changed everything for Pensacola’s beloved public television station, WSRE. Amy Day thought she was having a routine phone conversation with…

Escambia School Board Fights for ‘Privilege’

The Escambia County School Board has appealed a federal judge’s ruling requiring them to testify in a lawsuit over book removals from school libraries. The…

Pensacola’s Legislative Strategy Centers on Lobbyists

While the PNJ has garnered social media attention with its headline, “Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and Rep. Alex Andrade aren’t speaking,” Mayor D.C. Reeves, at…

Commissioners Approve Modest Tax Relief

The Escambia County Commission’s final budget hearing on Wednesday night became a debate about tax burden and fiscal responsibility, resulting in a small but symbolic…

Podcast: Political Realities of Property Tax Reform

As Florida’s lawmakers gear up for another session focused on property tax reform, State Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican, offers insights on the appeal…

Baptist Hospital Demolition Moving Forward

With the Baptist Hospital property closing scheduled for Monday, Sept. 29, Mayor D.C. Reeves announced that demolition of the main hospital and three towers will…