On Friday, FloridaCommerce announced the award of $2.6 million through Florida’s Defense Reinvestment Grant Program and the Florida Defense Support Commission Grant Program, to strengthen Florida’s military communities and to provide critical…
Category: Escambia County
2025 Annual Report on Infant Mortality Causes
Inweekly has obtained the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Annual Legislative Report, dated October 1, 2025. Full Report: fiar-annual-report-2025 Background: The Florida Department of Health presents this report to the Governor, the…
Florida Lawmaker Targets Infant Mortality Crisis Through Medicaid Overhaul
State Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) seeks to tackle one of the state’s most troubling healthcare disparities: infant mortality rates that disproportionately affect Black families. In a recent episode of the “Don’t Color…
Lawmakers Tackling Infant Mortality With Different Approaches
The 2025 Civic Leaders Summit and Inweekly may have jump-started a community conversation on how to reduce Escambia County’s infant mortality rate. Two state lawmakers are taking two different approaches to solving…
Sheriff Simmons: Protecting Children Online
In light of a recent Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) operation that led to the arrest of 13 men for crimes targeting children, I asked Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons about…
Sheriff Simmons: Safest Fair Ever
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons delivered an unprecedented report following the 2025 Pensacola Interstate Fair, announcing that despite nine days of large crowds, deputies made zero arrests at the annual event. “This…
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 a deal was imminent. Commissioner Lumon May…
Little Support for 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 property values. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger initiated the…
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 Cooperative Extension, the food drive is a…
Looking for $5 million to End Infant Mortality
At the 2025 Civic Leaders Summit, Jill Miller, the president and CEO of Bethesda Inc. and the bi3 Fund, shared how Cincinnati conquered what many saw as an impossible challenge—infant mortality. She…
Simmons on Fair Security and Engagement Awards
Sheriff Chip Simmons recently sat down to reflect on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s fourth annual Engagement Awards and discuss preparations for the upcoming Pensacola Interstate Fair. Partnering with Escambia County Sheriff’s…
By the Numbers: No-Party Voters
The News Service of Florida reports that as of the end of September, 3,384,837 “active” Florida voters were registered without party affiliations. Here are counties with the highest percentages of no-party voters:…
Cha-ching: Salzman raises $113K, but left with only $13.5K pocket money for Q2
State Rep. Michelle Salzman has no opposition in her re-election bid next. However, that didn’t stop her from raising a record-setting $112,995 for the second quarter of 2025. However, as has been…
Simmons: Building Excellence in Law Enforcement
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons recently celebrated another graduation from the department’s in-house law enforcement academy. The fifth academy class saw 16 new deputies raise their right hands and take the oath…
County Commission Puts Spotlight on FloridaWest
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance CEO Chris Platé delivered an update to the Escambia County Commission at its Committee of the Whole on Thursday, Oct. 2, outlining the organization’s strategic direction for fostering…
Podcast: 21st Century Crime-Fighting in Escambia County
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons is doubling down on technology to fight crime. In a recent interview, the sheriff detailed plans to expand the county’s Real-Time Crime Center, including more camera installations…
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 current and former board members sought “legislative…
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 reduction in the county’s millage rate. Stroberger…
Council on Aging Forced to Reduce Hot Meals
Last week, WEAR-TV reporter Melanie Levi reported that cuts have been made to the Council on Aging’s congregate food program, which serves approximately 800 hot meals to senior citizens weekly in Escambia…
Florida TaxWatch Offers Five Options to Reduce Property Taxes
Gov. Ron DeSantis has questioned whether Floridians should continue paying “perpetual rent” to the government on property they already own. A new Florida TaxWatch report presents five reform options that could reshape…
