Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum Host “Band Together Texas” For Texas Flood Victims Country stars Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum hosted a benefit concert called “Band Together Texas” on August 17. The event, which supported those devastated by the floods in central Texas last month, was an incredible success, raising $8.5 million. The concert featured a number of big […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Miranda Lambert Celebrates Her 42nd Birthday Miranda Lambert is celebrating another year older and wiser. The country singer recently turned 42-years-young! Her sweet husband, Brendan McLoughlin, shared a heartfelt post in honor of her big day. “Happy Birthday to the most loving, talented and caring person I’ve ever met @mirandalambert,” he wrote. “The world is a […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Eglin Air Force Base on lockdown due to bomb threat, sources say Staff Reports November 12, 2025 2:50 pm Eglin Air Force Base EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — A source with knowledge of the situation has told Mid Bay News that Eglin Air Force Base is on lockdown due to a bomb threat. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, expect travel delays in and around the base. This story will be updated as more information is available.   Update: 3:34 p.m. Lockdown is over.  Update: 3:04 p.m. Buildings in question are near the 96th Test Wing flight line. As of 3:06 p.m., the lockdown has not been lifted.  Update: 2:46 p.m.Shelter in-place message sent out to 42 buildings on Eglin Air Force Base, per a basewide message obtained by Mid Bay News. Update: 2:43 p.m. Mid Bay News is currently trying to get more information by calling Eglin’s Public Affairs office. Due to the government shutdown, the Public Affairs office is not running at full capacity.  More Local News Schools and Education Okaloosa School Board reviews legislative priorities ahead of upcoming state session Arts Okaloosa County Celebrates 2025–2026 Art in the Capitol Winners Charities and Nonprofits A Community Effort to Help Those Affected by the Government Shutdown Load More The post Eglin Air Force Base on lockdown due to bomb threat, sources say appeared first on Mid Bay News. Read More

The Country Star Spoke From The Heart At Her Tour Finale At The Ryman On November 7 and November 8, Ella Langley concluded her Still Hungover Tour with a pair of star-studded shows at the Ryman Auditorium. Bringing out guests ranging from Gretchen Wilson to Morgan Wallen, fans were in for a unique treat as […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

GALLERY: Edge Elementary Celebrates its 100th Anniversary Christopher Saul November 12, 2025 10:20 am Niceville, Schools and Education, Uncategorized Edge Entryway The new historical display at the entrace of the Edge Elementary School. The display was designed in part by staff from the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum. Looking at history Students and parents look through old yearbooks from Edge Elementary’s past in the media center. Looking at history Students and parents look through old yearbooks from Edge Elementary’s past in the media center. Jil Watson, Edge graduate and teacher Jil Watson, a former Edge Student, smiles next to a photo of herself from her time at the school as a student. She is one of five teachers at Edge who also graduated from the school. ran Robert Love Former Edge Principal (and current Niceville PA announcer for Eagle Football games) Robert Love walks the halls of the school he used to manage along with his son, Bobby. Post program attendees of the 100th anniversary celebration for Edge Elementary get up after the end of the program to explore the school and the exhibits created for the special events. Textbook An Edge Elementary textbook sits atop an old desk as a display. School Board Members at Edge Elementary Members of the Okaloosa School Board: Parker Destin, Brett Hinely, and Tim Bryant listen along with Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Niceville City Councilwoman Cathy Alley. School Desks at Edge Elementary Desks topped with past textbooks decorate the Edge Elementary School multipurpose building. Melissa... Read More

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Proposal for Florida to Manage Atlantic Red Snapper Season Beginning in 2026 Staff Reports November 12, 2025 9:20 am State Government In Brief: Who: Governor Ron DeSantis, FWC Executive Director Roger Young, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick What: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission submitted an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to assume management of the Atlantic red snapper fishery When: Announced November 2025; management would begin in 2026 if approved Where: FERNANDINA BEACH, covering Atlantic state and federal waters off Florida’s coast Why: To expand recreational fishing opportunities, boost local economies, and mirror successful Gulf red snapper management FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that Florida has formally requested approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce to assume management of the Atlantic red snapper recreational fishery beginning in 2026. The proposal, submitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), would transfer management authority from federal agencies to the state and substantially expand fishing opportunities for anglers along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The FWC’s application, known as an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), was formally sent to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. If approved, the permit would authorize Florida to regulate the Atlantic red snapper fishery in both state and federal waters off its Atlantic shoreline. The change would mirror a similar management transition that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, which state officials say has led to a longer season and more consistent fishing opportunities. Governor DeSantis said that state-level management has... Read More

In Photos: Veterans Day in Okaloosa County Collin Bestor November 11, 2025 5:37 pm Okaloosa County More About Emery Hagan Emery Hagan has plenty of accolades: She’s the class vice president, a two-sport athlete, and she’s put in more than 200 volunteer hours.   But in her own words – the most compelling case for her candidacy for the Taylor Haugen Trophy comes from the bottom of the fifth page of her application. Under her dad’s name, she leaves the field for a second parent blank.   Hagan was born to a family of all boys. “My mom had always wanted a little girl. She tragically lost her mother when she was a few years old, causing her to forever yearn for a baby girl of her own to heal from her childhood lacking a mother figure,” she wrote in her application.   Her mother was a teacher who she credits with teaching her how to treat everyone with “the utmost kindness – as I may never know what they go home to each day.”   Hagan had to lean on those lessons being taught to others when she was in fith grade and unexpectedly lost her mother. Hours after learning of her mother’s death, she says her fifth grade teacher showed up to her house to console her – letting Hagan see firsthand how important her mom’s credo could be when others did it for her in her life.   Because of role models like Mrs. Moore, Hagan learned... Read More

Luke Combs Commemorates Veterans Day With New Song “Ever Mine” From energetic party anthems to heartfelt ballads, Luke Combs continues to show his versatility as a songwriter. On Veterans Day, a day when America honors and remembers our military members, he shared a new, unreleased song that eloquently depicts the sacrifices made by those who […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Active-Duty EOD Technician Honors Vietnam Veteran with Bedside Salute on Veterans Day Staff Reports November 11, 2025 9:00 am Military In Brief: SrA Justin Hart, an active-duty EOD technician, rendered a bedside salute to Vietnam veteran and former EOD tech SMSgt Irv Duvall on Veterans Day. The ceremony included Duvall’s family, other veterans, and was facilitated by VITAS Healthcare’s Bedside Salute Program with support from the EOD Warrior Foundation. Duvall served 26 years in the Air Force, deployed to Vietnam, and helped found the Air Force Master Blasters Association to support retired EOD technicians. Shoal Creek, Fla. — November 7, 2025 — In a heartfelt Veterans Day tribute, Senior Airman Justin Hart, an active-duty Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician stationed at Hurlburt Field, visited Shoal Creek River Rehab to honor retired Senior Master Sergeant Irv Duvall, a Vietnam veteran and fellow EOD technician. Dressed in his Air Force blues, Hart rendered a slow bedside salute to Duvall, recognizing his decades of service, sacrifice, and contributions to the Air Force and EOD community. The ceremony was attended by Duvall’s family, including his daughter Pam, son Thomas, granddaughter Kimberly Coon, and great-granddaughter Kaylee Coon, as well as three other veterans residing at the rehabilitation center. For the Duvall family, the moment was deeply meaningful and emphasized the lasting bonds of military service. “It was my absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to honor a veteran and a fellow EOD technician,” said Hart. “Paying respects to those who had to learn the hard... Read More

Crestview City Clerk resigns amid tension; council pulls photography ordinance Collin Bestor November 11, 2025 1:00 am Crestview In Brief: City clerk resigns after months of scrutiny Photography ordinance withdrawn after public pushback Council appoints deputy clerk to interim role CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council meeting on Nov. 10 began by pulling a controversial photography ordinance and was immediately followed by the resignation of the city clerk, Maryanne Girard.   Here is what you need to know.   RELATED: Previous Crestview City Council meeting City Manager Resigns   Crestview City Clerk Maryanne Girard resigned, effective immediately, during a City Council meeting on Monday night, bringing an end to months of scrutiny over communication issues, public records management, and her ongoing performance improvement plan.   Girard, who had served as clerk for four years, read a prepared statement expressing “mixed emotions” as she stepped down. She said she had “taken great pride” in ensuring transparency, maintaining public records and promoting public engagement during her tenure. But she also told council members that recent conditions had become untenable.   Girard said she had experienced “a troubling erosion of trust and respect” and noted that only two council members had met with her to provide feedback for her annual evaluation.   “The lack of communication has made it increasingly difficult to carry out my responsibilities effectively,” she said, adding that emails went unread and that unwillingness by some council members to engage “undermines the collaborative spirit essential to good governance.”   Her... Read More