Category: Escambia County
Andrade Gives Update on Special Session
Florida lawmakers rewrote DeSantis’ property tax plan on Day 1—protecting school budgets, killing the trust fund, and rejecting a $5.5M ad campaign.
Sheriff Simmons Discusses Impact of Tax Cuts on ECSO
Sheriff Simmons: DeSantis’s tax plan could gut law enforcement funding — 92% of his budget is people, not programs. Here’s what it means for Escambia County.
Sheriff Simmons on “Dumping Homeless”
Sheriff Simmons caught Orange Beach police dumping a homeless man at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. He didn’t ask to come here—but now Escambia pays the cost.
WFPL Board of Governance Down to Three
Two vacant library board seats, no agenda action, and no answers. Chair warns delays threaten oversight and transparency. What’s really happening?
Breaking—Total Tax Cut Impact for All Local Govt: $126.6M
DeSantis’ property tax amendment could gut $90M from Escambia schools, sheriff, libraries & city services. The Chamber is watching—but will it speak up?
Hofberger’s Aide Stepped Down, effective May 29
Melanie Luna resigns as Commissioner Hofberger’s aide amid library hire scandal. The “Mean Girl” texts, backroom deals & policy violations finally catch up.
DeSantis Property Tax Cut: Escambia loses $72.9M annually
DeSantis’ property tax amendment would gut Escambia County by $72.9M and Santa Rosa by $49.3M—and counties can’t raise rates to make up the difference.
Facebook Wars: Sheriff Simmons vs. City of Orange Beach
Sheriff Simmons accuses Orange Beach PD of dumping a homeless man in Escambia County. Orange Beach says their officer showed compassion. Check out video on FB
Inweekly: A Way Too Early August Primary Guide
August primaries decide Pensacola’s future—and 75% of voters skipped the last one. Plus a UWF Alzheimer’s breakthrough & $9M airport grant. Read now.
Where will “smaller” data center go? FloridaWest stays mum
A defense company wants to build an AI data center in Escambia County. Two sites are in play—and one has been waiting a decade for its first tenant.
Data Centers 101: What Are They?
A tech company is in active talks to build a data center in Escambia County. Before the deal is done, here’s what you need to know.
Poll: Florida Families Struggling to Put Food on the Table
82% of Floridians say food costs are rising faster than their income. Half of parents are skipping meals. Congress cut SNAP. Florida families are on the edge.
Ashlee Hofberger, Melanie Luna Have Their Rules
Kohler challenged Hofberger after her aide stayed on a contractor board—despite county attorney’s advice that employees shouldn’t serve on citizen committees.
Questions to Ask Escambia Children’s Trust Today
Escambia County Commission will decide whether to put the Children’s Trust back on the November ballot—but first, some hard questions need answers.
Exclusive: Kohler Calls Children’s Trust “Unfair Tax”
County Commissioner Kohler wants voters to decide if the Children’s Trust should survive—calling it an “unfair tax” that shortchanges county kids.
A Rare Chance to Get It Right
Escambia County has had 7 county administrators since 2007—most fired or forced out. Now the commission has a rare chance to plan ahead.
Two Local Fallen Officers Added to National Memorial
Last week, the Pensacola Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office honored those in their agencies who died in service…
Mayor Appoints Luna “Barbie” to Library Board
Hofberger aide Melanie Luna orchestrated a library board shake-up—removing a member, installing her “Barbie,” and mocking job candidates. Records expose it all.
Inweekly May 14, 2026: Summer Movie Guide
A hero’s exit at PSC, DeSantis torches the Fair Districts map, censored students fight back, and library texts expose a cover-up. New Inweekly is out.
Luna Told Mayor’s Office How to Remove WFPL Board Member (Update)
Commissioner’s aide quietly orchestrated the removal of a library board member—while the county was hiring a new library director. Who’s really running things?
