Breaking the news that University of West Florida President Dr. Martha Saunders had resigned set off the busiest week for this blog, with 88,343 readers following what was happening with UWF, Tourism, Fire Safety, and the Escambia Children’s Trust.
Martha Saunders & the Future of UWF
We published Dr. Saunders’ resignation message: https://bit.ly/3S0eKzn.
State Sen. Don Gaetz’s email calling Dr. Saunders “an exceptional academic leader and a superb president.” https://bit.ly/3GQgh8U.
After a few calls, we felt confident to boldly report that Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, is the frontrunner to be UWF’s next president. https://bit.ly/4di2aoY
My fictional short story “The Plot to Fire Martha Saunders” picked up more readers. https://bit.ly/3RYvR4M
- Tomorrow I will share information on the mastermind behind Gov. Ron DeSantis’ takeover of UWF.
Childers Putting Tourism as Risk
Tourism accounts for nearly 20% of all jobs in Escambia County. The total economic impact of tourism is $966.4 million. Last year, the county collected $22.1 million in bed taxes. Yet, we have discovered that Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers has refused to pay millions of dollars of tourism-related invoices, including the match for a Triumph Gulf Coast grant.
- Invoice Impasse: Childers refusing to cut checks, putting tourism at risk
- Daily Outtakes: Pam knows best, so she thinks
- We have more information to report this week.
Other Posts:
Pensacola’s aging Bay Center faces makeover: 11 key players may decide its fate as county and city unite on ambitious renovation plans. https://bit.ly/42T06jI
County Chair suggests putting Children’s Trust tax on the ballot after heated debate: “I never thought I’d be fighting for low-income kids for dimes.” https://bit.ly/3ZiW55Q
KUDOS: Pensacola’s own Patrick Hill beats 12,000 sailors to become NETC Sailor of the Year, earning instant promotion while transforming tomorrow’s warriors. https://lnkd.in/e3cJx9Mg
Board chair quits after $10M Medicaid settlement secretly funneled to anti-marijuana fight through Hope Florida Foundation. DeSantis denies wrongdoing. https://bit.ly/3SDeCpJ
INWEEKLY
Reoccurring events worth making a regular thing •Bands on the Beach• Every Tuesday night through Oct. 28 visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-bands-on-beach Bands on the Beach …
Winners & Losers 5/15/25
WINNERS—DEAN DALRYMPLE The co-founder of Dalrymple Sallis Architecture is stepping down from daily operations after 15 years of leadership that transformed the practice into one of Northwest Florida’s most respected architectural firms. Under…
Outtakes—The Heritage Inquisition
The recent University of West Florida (UWF) Board of Trustees meeting revealed a troubling new dynamic in higher education governance. Two Heritage Foundation fellows, Adam Kissel and Zach Smith, transformed what…
Session Recap: Locals Led the Charge
All three Northwest Florida delegates played significant roles in a combative 2025 session that pitted the Florida Legislature against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration like never before. Health Care Budget Subcommittee chair…
News Of The Weird 5/15/25
Seen It All: Police in Akron, Ohio, caught bodycam video of a bandit behind the wheel with a meth pipe in his mouth during a traffic stop on…
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