MARIJUANA RULE HIT WITH TWO MORE CHALLENGES A Central Florida nursery and a trade association this week filed legal challenges to a state Department of Health proposal to carry out a new…
PS podcast: Matt Gaetz on tax cuts and Charlotte’s Web
On Pensacola Speaks, Rep. Matt Gaetz, chairman of the House Finance & Tax Committee, talks about the huge tax cuts his committee passed. He also gives us his viewpoints on the hold-ups…
FDOT could help fund VT-MAE taxiway and runway
I made a few calls to Tallahassee. Apparently the city has approached Florida Department of Transportation for help with the $3.5 million needed for the apron and taxiway for the VT-MAE hangar….
FAA denies $3.5 million for VT-MAE project, but city says it has a plan
The Federal Aviation Authority has denied the city of Pensacola’s request for a $3.5 million AIP grant needed to extend the taxiway at the Pensacola International Airport to accommodate VT Mobile Aerospace…
PS Podcast: Sgt. Andy Hobbs on disaster training
Sgt. Andy Hobbs, who heads Homeland Security for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, discusses how local agencies dealt with last year’s ice storm, floods and jail explosion. Pensacola Speaks airs on News…
Lawmakers eye major changes in mental health services
By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA As Florida lawmakers study the impact of mental illness on the state’s troubled criminal-justice and child-protection systems, the House and Senate are proposing major…
Florida has the fastest growing metro area in the nation: The Villages ….Panama City 19th
Florida was home to the nation’s fastest growing metro area from 2013 to 2014, according to new U.S. Census Bureau metropolitan statistical area, micropolitan statistical area and county population estimates released today….
Grover fights for funds in Tallahassee
County commissioners from various parts of the state urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve a proposal that could end a long-running battle about how to split juvenile-detention costs. Commissioners told the House Appropriations…
Bondi early favorite for U.S. Senate in 2016
GOP insiders keep telling me that Marco Rubio will run for president and forego an second term in the U.S. Senate. If he does, then how does it impact Florida politics? On…
Bense contract extended
Today, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees voted to keep Dr. Judith Bense as the President of the University of West Florida until Dec. 31, 2016. The extended term, together…
PS Today: Tax cuts, murder mysteries and cyber help
On Pensacola Speaks this afternoon, I will have Rep. Matt Gaetz, chairman of the House Finance & Tax Committee, on the $690-million tax package that his committee approved yesterday. We will also…
PS Podcast: Cyndi Warren on Impact 100
On Pensacola Speaks, Cyndi Warren with IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area talks about its 2015 Membership Drive that successfully concluded with a record of 1060 members.
Gonzalez release request denied
After a hearing in Tallahassee, the Commission on Offender Review unanimously voted to deny Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr.’s request for early release. Gonzalez, Sr. requested the early release due to medical issues….
PS podcast: Myers on Move to Amend
Tomorrow night, the Pensacola Coffee Party and Northwest Florida Move to Amend will attend the Pensacola City Council meeting to speak out in favor of the council voting on a resolution that…
Florida Senate takes Charlotte’s Web into its own hands
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Facing another legal challenge to the state’s attempt to craft a framework for a medical-marijuana industry, a Senate committee moved forward Tuesday with a…
City attorney contract a ‘honest error’
The city of Pensacola’s chief operations officer sent an email to Pensacola City Council yesterday a little before 6 p.m. regarding what she called an “honest error” by the city’s Human Resources…
Rick Wilson on Pensacola Speaks today
GOP political strategist Rick Wilson will be on Pensacola Speaks today. We will discuss the 2016 GOP presidential hopefuls. We will also have Rep. Clay Ingram on the House tax cut package…
House passes steeper tax cut, deeper than what Scott wanted
The Florida House passed $690 million tax-reduction package that offers sales-tax holidays and eliminating taxes on gun-club memberships, college textbooks, materials purchased at book fairs and vehicles purchased overseas and brought to…
PS Podcast: Underhill on his first 100 days
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill came on Pensacola Speaks yesterday and talked about the county projects in District 2 and about the creation of cybersecurity jobs. Pensacola Speaks airs on News Talk…
PS Podcast: Spencer wants to reduce size of CMPA board
On Pensacola Speaks, Councilman Brian Spencer talks about the issues with the CMPA board and suggests it may be time to reduce its size to seven or eight members. Pensacola Speaks airs…