Since the first of the year, the blog has taken off with each week gaining more readers. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ takeover of the University of West Florida has garnered considerable attention locally and nationally.
Last week, we saw our sessions increase 43% to 21,955, and page views up 39% to 34,665. The average session duration increased by 26%, and the bounce rate dropped by 15%.
These are news stories that the local mainstream media has ignored or only barely covered.
1. Daily Outtakes: Heritage Foundation scripts Education policies In Washington, D.C., the Heritage Foundation has become the ultimate political Cupid. Their matchmaking strategy has transformed them from a traditional think tank into the grand architect of right-wing politics, hooking up ambitious politicians with pre-packaged conservative policies. Their most devoted suitors? Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. Read more.
2. Yenor elected UWF Board of Trustees chair Controversial University of West Florida Trustee Scott Yenor was elected board chairman by an 8-5 vote over local leader Dick Baker. The five new trustees appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, including Yenor, and the three appointed by the state Board of Governors appointed three last month voted as a bloc. Read more.
3. Trump’s Day One executive actions Stuck in the house because of the blizzard, I spent the morning summarizing President Donald Trump’s executive actions on his first office day, giving just the facts without any commentary. His transition team bragged that no one in the media would try to cover all of them. I did. Read more.
4. What others reported on the UWF Trustee meeting I spent time on the phone with veteran News Service of Florida reporter Dara Kam. She shared how what is happening at UWF is very similar to the hostile takeover of New College of Florida. Dara watched the UWF Board of Trustees meeting. Read her report.
5. Daily Outtakes: Dick Baker embodies the intent of UWF Board of Trustees Gov. DeSantis’ bloc rejected the University of West Florida’s longest-serving trustee, Dick Baker, for chair and vice chair of the UWF Board of Trustees. Instead, the DeSantis clique chose a Boise State professor as chair and a health management services vice president as vice chair. The elections are a clear signal that the governor has taken control of the University of West Florida. Read more.
Bonus: This Saturday post is trending. Other media will pick it up soon – Legendary Bob Snow, creator of Seville Quarter, passes away.
TOP PLAYS
SAVE OUR UWF
Let’s talk about the University of West Florida Board of Trustees – what it’s about, and what’s going to happen on Thursday, January 23rd.
I fear the new board will fire the university president and target UWF programs like the new trustees did at New College of Florida in 2023.
Everyone tells me this is impossible, and we cannot stop this from happening. But we can’t sit quietly. Please join me in fighting for our UWF. ?Sign our petition?.
THE WHITMIRE GHOUL: WHAT WE KNOW
In the late 1950s, a series of disturbing incidents at Pensacola’s cemeteries left an indelible mark on the city’s history. “The Whitmire Ghoul” remains one of Pensacola’s most disturbing unsolved mysteries, representing a dark chapter in the city’s history that generated widespread fear and continues to intrigue researchers and local historians alike. Sena Maddison reviews the police reports and the FBI file on the case.
BUILD A BRAIN
Quint Studer wants to step up the Studer Community Institute’s Build a Brain program in 2025. In this conversation, Quint and Rick discuss the hospital-based intervention program that emerged from a challenge faced by researchers in Chicago.
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Under President Martha Saunders’ leadership, UWF has transformed from the metric system’s equivalent of a participation trophy (57 points in 2016) to a powerhouse performer with 84 points out of 100. But apparently, success isn’t enough when there’s an ideological playbook to follow.
PENSACOLA RED LIGHT CAMERAS
The City of Pensacola installed red light cameras at four city intersections that went fully operational on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Drivers have been given a one-month grace period with fines beginning Saturday, Feb. 1.
At his Jan. 7 press conference, the Pensacola mayor said initial data from Pensacola’s newly installed red light cameras has revealed “staggering” numbers of violations.
TOP SHORTS
1. MAYOR D.C. REEVES PRAISES MARTHA SAUNDERS
