Pensacola, State Honor Legacy of Lewis Bear Jr. with Roadway Dedication
Last Monday, state and local officials joined the Bear family and community members to dedicate a portion of North 9th Avenue—from Bayfront Parkway to Cervantes Street—as Lewis Bear Jr. Way, honoring the late businessman and philanthropist who shaped Pensacola for decades. Read more.
Florida DOGE Misfires With Pensacola Attack
On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press event at the Jacksonville International Airport. Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia joined him to promote the elimination of property taxes on homestead properties and tout the ongoing audits from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Standing at a podium with a “Stop Waste” sign, Ingogolia targeted the City of Pensacola for its “Welcome to Pensacola” at the foot of the Chappie James Bridge.
Ingoglia’s social media dinged for paying $150,000 to a management company for the Saenger Theatre, “that brings drag shows,” and $300,000 for an equity-focused strategic plan and residential “equity survey.” Read DeSantis, FL DOGE Go After Welcome Sign, Saenger Management, Strategic Plan.
- Inweekly pointed out that FDOT paid for the sign, with a little help from ARPA funds, under a 2018 agreement to replace the city’s Five Flags Plaza. Read Oops, Pensacola Taxpayers Did NOT Pay for Welcome Sign.
By the end of Thursday, the City of Pensacola responded to Ingoglia’s attacks, noting that the Legends Global, the company it has contracted to manage the Saenger Theatre for the past 21 years, has made money for the City. And the “equity” strategic plan was paid for with federal grant dollars. Read City of Pensacola Responds to DOGE Dings.
- I watched the entire Oct. 1 press event and pointed out how absurd Ingoglia’s comments were. Read Ingoglia’s Comedy Act Falls Flat.
Can we trust the Florida DOGE audits?
UWF Students Fight Back
It took nearly three weeks for the University of West Florida to release the comments regarding UWF’s proposal to redefine sexual harassment in the Student Code of Conduct. We published the over 100 written comments from diverse stakeholders, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, local residents, and advocacy organizations. An overwhelming majority opposed the changes, just hours before a town hall. Read UWF Releases Public Comments on LGBTQ+ changes.
- The students fearlessly spoke out at the town hall, postponing UWF Board of Trustees’s consideration until December. Read UWF Students Speak Out for LGBTQ+, Juneteenth.
INWEEKLY
Centennial Sounds
Celebrating 100 Seasons with Pensacola Symphony Orchestra By Jennifer Leigh This year marks the 100th season for Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. One hundred years ago, “The Great Gatsby” was published, the silent film “The Phantom…
Winners & Losers 10/2/25
Winners: Hailey Lotz – Pensacola State College recently promoted Lotz to executive director of athletics and alumni. In her previous role as executive director of development for alumni and athletics, Lotz more than tripled Pirate…
Outtakes—Solving a Wicked Problem
When Jill Miller, president and CEO of Bethesda Inc. and the bi3 Fund, stood on the Saenger Theatre stage at the 2025 Civic Leader Summit, she shared how Cincinnati conquered what…
Rebranding OLF-8
After years of researching, seeking public input, making offers and negotiating terms, a group headed by Catalyst Healthspan Founder and CEO Chad Henderson finally secured the coveted OLF-8 property in…
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