A comprehensive feasibility study commissioned by Escambia County reveals ambitious plans to modernize the aging Pensacola Bay Center and add two major new facilities that could generate nearly $60 million in annual…
Build Reverb by Hard Rock: Subcontractor Meeting 8 a.m. on 1/20
Corporate Contractors Inc. (CCI) will be holding its second Project Information Meeting for interested subcontractors and suppliers for Lot 5-Maritime Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20. A…
Florida Chamber Poll Sees Sunny Side Despite National Concerns as 2026 Elections Loom
As Florida enters the 2026 election cycle, a new statewide poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce says likely voters remain confident in Florida’s direction but increasingly skeptical of marijuana legalization efforts….
City Council Rebels, Wants Grant Spent on Home Repairs
Twenty months after promising to use a federal housing grant to help up to 50 low-to-moderate income homeowners repair Hurricane Sally damage, the City of Pensacola has not taken a single application,…
Palafox Market Continues Rain, Shine or Construction [Maps]
Despite ongoing downtown construction, Pensacola’s beloved Palafox Market isn’t going anywhere. Downtown Improvement Board Executive Director Walker Wilson made that clear this week, confirming that both market locations will operate normally throughout…
Closing Summit Recycling Could Save $228K Annually
During his Thursday press conference, Mayor D.C. Reeves delivered sobering news about Pensacola’s Summit Boulevard recycling drop-off site: nearly everything deposited there ends up in the landfill. Contamination Conundrum Despite the city’s…
Oops, Somerset Didn’t Know Diaz Only Wanted A Pilot
Somerset Academy’s Board of Directors approved on Oct. 14 to open a private school on the University of West Florida campus in January 2026, according to board minutes. Diaz Version: The president-elect…
Lakeview Center Addresses Teen Mental Health Crisis
Lakeview Center is tackling Northwest Florida’s adolescent mental health crisis head-on with the launch of a new Teen Intensive Outpatient Program designed specifically to meet young people where they are. “Adolescent care…
Gaetz’s Major School Choice Reform Bill Passes
Legislation aims to fix “whatever could go wrong has gone wrong” problems plaguing scholarship programs. The Florida Senate unanimously passed sweeping school choice reform legislation yesterday, responding to a damning state audit…
UWF School Pilot Program: Benefit, Not Charter?
The University of West Florida Board of Trustees, maybe unknowingly, has entered into a licensing agreement with Somerset Academy, Inc. to operate an educational facility on campus, primarily serving children of UWF…
Report: Fewer People See Our Community Health As “Good”
The 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, quietly released by Achieve Healthy EscaRosa in February 2025, offers insights into the region’s most pressing health concerns. Unfortunately, very few local health care leaders are…
Palafox Market Still Going Strong
The city’s $10 million New Palafox improvement project brings challenges, but there’s good news for market lovers: Both Palafox Markets will continue operating throughout the entire project. The original Palafox Market at…
Children’s Trust Moves Toward Settlement with City Over CRA Tax Dispute
The Escambia Children’s Trust board moved closer to resolving a longstanding CRA funds dispute with the City of Pensacola during discussions at their recent meeting, with the city proposing to use the…
Sail GP Inks TV Two-Year Deal with CBS Sports
SailGP and CBS Sports announced a groundbreaking two-year extension of their U.S. television partnership, marking the championship’s first multi-year broadcast deal. The agreement will deliver more than 50 hours of coverage annually…
Trust Cites Several Breaches with New World Believers
Last night, the Escambia Children’s Trust’s executive director explained to her board of directors why she suspended funding to New World Believers’ H.O.O.P.S. (Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success) mental health program,…
Will Congressman Jimmy Patronis Switch to D2? Update: “Hell No”
Update: Congressman Jimmy Patronis shouted, “Hell No!” over the phone. He says he has no plans to switch, citing his support of the military and rapid growing economic development in the district…
Escambia County’s Graduation Rate Jumped
Escambia County’s graduation rate jumped over five percentage points for the 2024-25 school year: 2021-22: 78.4% 2022-23: 80.5% 2023-24: 84.2% 2024-25: 89.5% The state average is 92.2%, only 2.7% more than Escambia…
New World Believers: A Jones Family Enterprise
In reviewing the meeting packets of the Escambia Children’s Trust, I came across the staff review of New World Believers’ grant request for its third year. The nonprofit employs six Jones family…
Two Visions: Florida Legislature’s Opening Day Reveals Stark Leadership Contrasts
Senate President Doubles Down on Faith and Rural Focus Florida Senate President Ben Albritton made clear Tuesday that his final session leading the chamber will be guided by Biblical principles and a…
Children’s Trust Suspends New World Believers Grant
The Escambia Children’s Trust has suspended its grant to New World Believers, Inc. for its mental health program, Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success. (H.O.O.P.S.) After founder Rodney Jones had been suspended…