Rick's Blog

Primary ballots hit 99.99% accuracy. Voter Registration ends Oct. 5. Escambia doubles early voting to 13 days for a Nov. 3 election.

Florida Humanities director Dr. Nashid Madyun: Gulf Coast community radio stations are already connected by culture — his pitch: build a story-sharing network.

Gulf Winds Credit Union expands again. The Pensacola-based credit union has acquired People’s Exchange Bank in Monroeville, its 2nd bank acquisition of 2026.

Escambia’s budget passed 3-2 after a clash over cutting the sheriff and other constitutional officers. Who pushed back, and why?

63% of Florida homeowners say insurance worries them more than property taxes. DeSantis says the market is improving. Most homeowners see no sign of it.

HCA Florida West’s new $500K outdoor rehab space has patients relearning to walk on gravel, curbs and sand — and 85% are going home.

Navy commandant to fair CEO: Gil Clark Jr. left 28 years of military life to run Pensacola’s 91-year-old fair — and rebuild its future.

Paid parking returns downtown Oct. 5! Higher weekend rates, FREE Mondays, senior & resident discounts, and a grace period before tickets start.

Palafox wins big: 68% of 623 survey respondents want the traditional parade route back — plus a street party proposal gets 61% support. Details ?

The library governance board hasn’t met since April 20. Commissioner May now vows to force a vote if Wes Moreno won’t. Get the full story here.

Mayor Reeves says money is not the problem for helping Pensacola’s at-risk teens. The hard part? Deciding what to build. Listen to the podcast.

Tourism The Visit Pensacola Board of Directors selected Tony Lyle as its next CEO and president at a board meeting Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 23. Lyle…

New College of Florida has plunged from No. 76 to No. 150 in U.S. News rankings. Alumni say the board must respond and hold President Corcoran accountable.

Mayor Reeves is taking the tree ordinance to Council without a Planning Board vote. Plus a $12.7M airport grant and a soccer field at the stadium?

FL AG sues insulin makers & PBMs for price-fixing—exactly what Pensacola attorney Troy Rafferty told me in 2023. Turns out he was right.

10 years, 10,000 slobbery kisses. Danetoberfest turns a decade old Oct. 3 in Seville Square — help NWFLGDR hit its $15K goal for Great Danes in need.

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Among the new laws taking effect Oct. 1 are changes in how police identify criminal…

UWF slips 4 spots in U.S. News rankings—but still beats its ranking from two years ago. President Diaz spins the drop, tries to capture a “win.”

J. Alex Kelly trades Tallahassee for Pensacola State College — unanimously tapped as PSC’s next president after a 107-applicant search.

Escambia & Santa Rosa charity care costs jumped $33.5M in 3 years—Baptist’s new hospital absorbed 45% of it. The reason traces back to a Florida policy choice.