Continuing on its efforts to elect pro-jobs, pro-business candidates, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced an additional 34 candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida Legislature. Today’s latest round of…
Gay lawmaker shares details of talk with Scott after Pulse shootings
By ANDY METZGER STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE In the days after 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Gov. Rick Scott privately expressed some support for gay rights to…
The 2016 school grades were not bad for all districts
The impression one might get from looking at other media reports is that the state’s grading system was unfair and that Escambia County struggled like other school districts did around the state….
Hayward goes from concrete goals to vague, feel-good statements
One of the biggest selling points of the strong-mayor charter was the candidates for mayor would have platforms that laid out the goals for their administrations. The goals would be the work…
Pensacola Speaks: Andy Marlette, Heroes Among Us
On News Talk 1370 WCOA today, I will open the show with PNJ editorial cartoonist Andy Marlette and discuss his takeaways from the RNC and DNC. In the second half, I will…
Escambia County has second Zika virus case [podcast]
The Florida Department of Health announced today that Escambia County has its second confirmed Zika virus case. Yesterday, I interviewed Dr. Antonio Crespo of Orlando Health about the virus. Dr. Crespo was…
Jockeying for position in 2018 begins in Philly
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The immediate focus of Florida delegates to the Democratic National Convention might be winning the presidential election in 2016, but discussion of statewide elections…
Pokemon Go players flock to downtown Mobile for special event
WKRG reports that a thousand people last night visited Dauphin Street for “Light it up with Lures,†a special event organized for players of Pokémon Go. The Mobile police reported no problems….
Pensacola heroin dealer indicted for murder
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced today that an Escambia County Grand Jury indicted Marcus Dewayne Jackson for First Degree Murder in the death of Jim Cady. Marcus Dewayne Jackson was initially arrested…
County voters more diverse, City of Pensacola more white since 2006
Escambia County has picked up 14,990 registered voters since June 30, 2006. The majority of those voters, 6,868, are African-American. Minority voters – listed as Black, Hispanic or Other – outpaced the…
Downtown restaurant welcomes Pokemon Go players
Four Seasons Catering & Eatery is the first business in downtown Pensacola to offer free drinks to Pokemon Go players. Charles Mielke and Kelly Greene, owners of Four Seasons, are convinced that…
Details of Fricker Center armed robbery released, semi-automatic rifle used
Former Mississippi high school football star has been arrested for armed robbery outside of City of Pensacola community center. Last year, Jaquelle Green of D’Iberville High School (near Biloxi, Miss.) was a…
UWF Military and Veterans Resource Center establishes two new scholarships, recognizes 10 students
The University of West Florida Military and Veterans Resource Center awarded scholarships to ten students at its fifth annual scholarship luncheon, held Thursday, July 21, 2016. The luncheon recognizes military veterans and…
Race to the Top funds failed to build system for academic excellence
Six years ago, Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his district leadership team committed to create a new system to foster academic excellence. They even got the federal government to fund the creation…
GOP delegate says Trump has fire in belly that Romney, McCain lacked [podcast]
Martin Simmons, chairman of the Republican Party of the First Congressional District, was one of two delegates from our area to the Republican National Convention. Rep. Jeff Miller was the other. Simmons…
Escambia mails 26,000-plus primary ballots
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office delivered more than 26,000 vote-by-mail ballots to the post office today for the Primary election. Voters could receive their green or ivory colored vote-by-mail packages…
USA Freedom Kids upset with Trump
Last January, a young girl dance team, called “USA Freedom Kids,” drove to Pensacola from Naples to perform at Donald Trump in the Pensacola Bay Center. Their performance, lip-synced number done to…
FloridaWest: Workforce training critical to economic growth [podcast]
Our Hot Jobs issue has flown off the racks this week. The Greater Pensacola area has good paying jobs for those who have the proper certifications and training. FloridaWest CEO Scott Luth…
No worries, Neighborhood Publix will blend into East Hill
In his biweekly digital newsletter, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward assured citizens that the Publix being built on Cervantes Street and 12th Avenue will not be an eyesore. “Many citizens have expressed an…
Pensacola Chamber and Florida SBDC at UWF to host media relations workshop
The Greater Pensacola Chamber and the Florida SBDC at UWF are joining forces to host a one-hour, no-cost workshop on helping businesses receive media coverage. Attendees will learn how to write and…