Just when I thought things were calming down as we headed into Holy Week, news stories took off in several directions, and several attracted over 20K views.
Two top stories showed how national political decisions impact our community. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to purge 60,000 DoD civilian jobs by September impacts nearly 600 jobs at NAS Pensacola. Pensacola small business owner Emily Ley has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s tariffs.
My posts on the University of West Florida Board of Trustees attracted readers. We broke the news of Trustee Scott Yenor’s resignation before any other media, locally and statewide. Our in-depth coverage of the committee hearing regarding the remaining three DeSantis appointees showed how blindly the new Trustees followed orders to elect Yenor.
- Pentagon’s sudden workforce purge: 60,000 DoD civilians facing quick exit by September. Pensacola’s NAS could lose nearly 600 jobs in just-announced cuts. https://bit.ly/3E6G2Rp
- Tallahassee sources have confirmed that Boise State professor Scott Yenor has resigned from the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. https://bit.ly/3YnlASY
- Small business owner Emily Ley fights back: ‘$1.2 million in tariffs threatens American jobs and dreams.’ First to sue Trump over devastating China tariffs. https://bit.ly/4jhWei9
- REACTION & WHO HE BLAMES: Idaho professor Yenor quits UWF board amid fierce local opposition: ‘His values didn’t reflect ours,’ says SAVE UWF, which celebrated the resignation victory. https://bit.ly/4jvXTAm
- Florida House bill shines a light on university leadership searches. New university trustees must be Florida residents or graduates of the university. https://bit.ly/4cpOtE1
- From Classroom to Career: PSC’s New Aviation Facility Takes Flight, Creating Skilled Mechanics for a High-Demand Industry Hungry for Qualified Talent. https://bit.ly/3XPgO0z
- Escambia Clerk Childers’ payroll soars 70% while adding just 4 staff members; average payroll per employee jumps to $67,629 as TDC tax battle continues. https://bit.ly/4ctpEHt
- Florida Rep. Andrade clashes with state agencies over mysterious $10M Hope Florida payment, demands answers as officials appear in ‘hostage-like’ video. https://bit.ly/44i4HNq
- DeSantis appointees claim ignorance of Yenor’s anti-women views after controversial UWF chair resigns amid Senate questioning. https://bit.ly/4jvZxlt
- UWF trustee Gates Garcia denies knowing Yenor’s views despite Claremont ties—left finance career for conservative media. At UWF, because DeSantis asked him. https://bit.ly/4i8QeGP
Mid-Session Update: Local Delegation Flexes Muscles in Tallahassee
Northwest Florida is represented by three delegates with differing personalities, yet their unique approaches have proved impactful this legislative session. Read more
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In 1987, President Ronald Reagan dedicated a center at Tuskegee University to honor General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., saying, “He had four stars on his shoulder and 50 stars on his…
Winners & Losers 4/10/25
WINNERS: UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA The Merting Family has emerged as a champion for academic excellence, establishing a $500,000 endowment to launch the John W. Merting Family Office of Research and Intellectual Growth at…
PODCASTS
New
Two older podcasts garnered attention:
