Okaloosa County opposes Gulf drilling, citing national security and tourism risks Collin Bestor November 19, 2025 8:45 am Okaloosa County In Brief: Commissioners say drilling in the eastern Gulf would endanger the nation’s largest military test range and weaken U.S. defense readiness. Local leaders warn even the perception of oil risk could devastate the county’s multibillion-dollar tourism economy. A formal letter urging permanent protection of the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range will now be delivered to state and federal leaders. SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County Commissioners moved unanimously on Tuesday to oppose any efforts to resume drilling in the eastern Gulf, saying that drilling would endanger U.S. national security and threaten the region’s multibillion-dollar tourism economy.   The move followed Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel’s push for the board to sign a letter calling for permanent protection of the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range, a vast military operations area used by every branch of the armed forces.   Ketchel, who serves on the Defense Strategic Initiatives Board, said offshore drilling would “completely ruin the mission field” for Eglin Air Force Base, which she noted supports about 70% of the county’s economy.   Although she noted her support for President Donald Trump, Ketchel criticized what she described as his “drill, baby, drill” stance and argued that federal leaders may not fully grasp the threat offshore drilling poses to the test range and the area’s tourism industry.   The letter will be delivered to the White House and to members of the State... Read More

‘Minutes Matter’: Hurlburt Commander says traffic and housing now threaten U.S. Special Operations Collin Bestor November 19, 2025 8:30 am Hurlburt Field In Brief: Traffic delays and long commutes are now directly impacting rapid-deployment missions at Hurlburt Field. Rising housing costs and limited childcare are straining young families across the 1st Special Operations Wing. Mental-health access — especially for spouses and children — remains one of the wing’s most urgent support gaps. SHALIMAR — Col. Mark L. Hamilton, a career special operations aviator and the new commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, warned Okaloosa County Commissioners on Tuesday that worsening traffic, soaring housing costs, childcare shortages and limited mental-health access are now directly affecting the wing’s ability to launch global missions within minutes.   Hamilton, who took command of the wing Oct. 6, oversees 67 manned and remotely piloted aircraft, including the AC-130J, MC-130J, and MQ-9, and leads 21 squadrons with more than 1,300 Air Commandos trained for worldwide special operations missions such as high-value targeting, unconventional warfare, and personnel recovery.   As installation commander, he is also responsible for base support to 22,000 personnel and more than 40 tenant units at Hurlburt Field.   “Our primary mission is to be ready anytime, anyplace,” Hamilton told commissioners. “The 1st Special Operations Wing has to be ready in minutes. When we measure our success in minutes, traffic becomes a threat to national security.” Traffic delays risk mission readiness Hamilton said U.S. Highway 98 and other choke points... Read More

The Award For Musical Event Of The Year Was Announced Ahead Of The Nov. 19 Broadcast What makes a pairing of artists worthy of Musical Event of the Year? At the Country Music Association Awards, it means that at least one of the artists involved is predominantly associated with the genre of country music. Awarded […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Lainey Wilson Gushes Over Her Friend & Mentor Reba Country music superstar and this year’s CMA Awards host, Lainey Wilson, can’t say enough wonderful things about her good friend and mentor, Reba McEntire. Lainey says that long before she stepped onto the country scene, she has been inspired by Reba and now that she is lucky […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Okaloosa County rejects open carry for employees, keeps concealed-only firearm policy Collin Bestor November 18, 2025 2:30 pm Okaloosa County In Brief: Okaloosa County will keep its existing concealed-carry policy for county employees. Officials cited public safety risks, perception issues, and training hurdles against open carry expansion. Commissioners plan to send an annual letter to employees clarifying rules and safety expectations. SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to retain its existing policy allowing county employees with concealed-carry permits to carry firearms while on duty, declining to expand the policy to include open carry despite recent statewide legalization.   Human Resources and Risk Management Director Kelly Bird opened the discussion by noting that employee questions had surged after Florida’s September authorization of open carry.   The county first permitted employees with concealed-weapon permits to carry in 2017, and that rule has remained unchanged since then. Bird told commissioners that the county had received several inquiries about whether county employees are permitted to open carry while on duty.   County Attorney Lynn Hoshihara explained that although Florida law preempts most firearm regulations, counties are explicitly allowed to regulate whether their own employees may carry weapons while performing their duties.   She said the commission could leave the policy as-is, expand it, or alter the requirements, but reminded officials that specific locations, including meeting rooms during official sessions, polling places, sheriff’s offices, and schools, remain off-limits.   Those areas, she said, will remain gun-free.   Commissioners broadly agreed that the... Read More

Dive Into History: SS United States Reef Project Staff Reports November 18, 2025 1:02 pm History, Military, Okaloosa County, Pensacola Beach, Tourism, Wildlife In Brief: Okaloosa County approved major partnerships with Visit Pensacola and CCA Florida, securing $2 million to support the SS United States artificial reef project. The 990-foot ship is expected to be deployed in early 2026 and will become the world’s largest artificial reef. Officials say the reef will boost marine ecosystems, create new tourism opportunities, and elevate Northwest Florida as a global diving destination. Okaloosa County is taking a historic step in marine conservation and tourism with the SS United States artificial reef project, partnering with Visit Pensacola and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA Florida). The project, which will transform the iconic ocean liner into the world’s largest artificial reef, will enhance marine habitats, attract divers worldwide, and strengthen Northwest Florida’s tourism economy. County commissioners unanimously approved agreements with Visit Pensacola and CCA Florida, securing $2 million in combined funding—$1.5 million from Visit Pensacola and $500,000 from CCA Florida—to support the deployment and promotion of the reef. Visit Pensacola is scheduled to review and approve its contribution during the December 2025 board meeting. “A Historic Regional Collaboration” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon praised the initiative, highlighting the long-term benefits for both the environment and the local economy. “I applaud the energy that went into creating these partnerships,” Mixon said. “This collaboration will foster amazing adventures for generations of visitors and create a tourism economy... Read More

Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem and the Community Unite for a Record-Breaking Fall Fundraiser Staff Reports November 18, 2025 12:24 pm Charities and Nonprofits, Events, Pensacola Beach In Brief: Who: Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Virginia Davis, local sponsors, volunteers, community members What: Two fall fundraising events that raised over $119,000 for foster children When: October 26, 2025 (Garden Gala) and November 7, 2025 (Groove & Give) Where: Niceville (The Shop at Baldwin Turf) and Pensacola (The Sanctuary Event Venue) Why: To fund essential needs not covered by state support for more than 1,500 local foster children PENSACOLA, FL – November 18, 2025 — The Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation announced today that its two marquee fall fundraising events—the annual Garden Gala in Niceville and the inaugural Groove & Give with The Mulligans in Pensacola—have collectively raised more than $119,000 in support of abused, abandoned, and neglected children in foster care across Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties. The Foundation, which supports more than 1,500 children annually, relies heavily on community fundraising to meet critical needs that state funding cannot cover. These include emergency clothing, hygiene items, mental health services, tutoring, enrichment programs, medical and dental necessities, and extracurricular activities that allow children to maintain a sense of normalcy and hope. Garden Gala: A Night of Community, Commitment, and Compassion Held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Garden Gala transformed The Shop at Baldwin Turf in Niceville into a warm, elegant event space filled with soft lighting,... Read More

COVID Beach Shutdowns to Cost Walton County Big Staff Reports November 18, 2025 11:38 am 30a, Destin, Real Estate, South Walton, Tourism, Walton County In Brief: A federal appeals court ruled that Walton County must compensate landowners who were barred from accessing their private beaches during COVID-19 closures. Judges found the county’s 2020 ordinance to be an unconstitutional “physical taking” under the Fifth Amendment. The decision overturns a lower court ruling and requires the county to cover both damages and legal expenses. Walton County, Fla. — A significant federal appeals court ruling issued Monday determined that Walton County must compensate private beachfront property owners who were prohibited from accessing their land during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new report by Florida Phoenix, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit found that the county’s 2020 emergency ordinance—which closed both public and private beaches—violated the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause. The three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Walton County’s actions amounted to a “textbook physical taking,” overturning an earlier district court decision that had rejected landowners’ claims. During the closures, deputies enforced the ordinance by physically removing residents from their own beachfronts and warning some that they could be arrested for stepping onto their privately owned sand. Background of the Dispute In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order urging residents to comply with local restrictions, including beach closures. Days later, Walton County Commissioners voted to close public beaches but noted publicly... Read More

What Is The “Mic Drop” Button On The Voice? The Voice has introduced a series of new rules and powers during Season 28, including the “Mic Drop” button. The Mic Drop was introduced during the knockouts. An article on NBC’s website describes the purpose of the new button and how the coaches can use it. […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Toby Keith’s daughter, Krystal, took to the stage during Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals game to honor her late father and the military by singing the national anthem and also performing the halftime show. Growing up with Toby absolutely loving the Steelers, Krystal shared that the experience was a “dream come true.” “Every moment […] More Country Music Nation  Read More