[[{“value”:” Sinfonia Gulf Coast continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary season with a trio of festive performances that promise to fill the holidays with harmony, heart, and community spirit. From a glamorous Broadway brunch to a full orchestral spectacular and a showcase of young talent, these concerts capture the joy of the season and the magic of live music. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

Westonwood Ranch Lands $400K for New Training Center Staff Reports November 24, 2025 4:44 pm Freeport, Walton County In Brief: Who: Westonwood Ranch, Rep. Shane Abbott, Sen. Jay Trumbull, CEO Lindy Wood What: Receiving $400,000 in state appropriations to build a new life skills and job training facility When: Funding awarded in November 2025 Where: Freeport, Florida Why: To expand vocational training, strengthen independence, and support a larger initiative to develop affordable, supportive housing for young adults with developmental disabilities FREEPORT, Fla. (November 18, 2025) — Westonwood Ranch has been awarded $400,000 in State of Florida Appropriations through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities — a transformative investment that will fund the construction of a new life skills and job training building on its Freeport campus. The expansion represents a significant milestone in Westonwood Ranch’s long-term mission to equip individuals with developmental differences with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive both personally and professionally. The new facility will significantly enhance Westonwood Ranch’s ability to deliver specialized training programs tailored to young adults with developmental disabilities. The building will include dedicated classrooms, hands-on vocational training spaces, independent living skill labs, and multipurpose areas designed to simulate real-world work and daily-life environments. These spaces will allow staff to expand curriculum options, introduce new employment pathways, and serve additional participants from across Northwest Florida. Beyond its immediate impact on program expansion, the project plays a key role in a broader, multi-year initiative to address one of the region’s most pressing... Read More

Walton County urged to join fight against CO2 injection wells near state border Steven Saul November 24, 2025 4:30 pm Walton County In Brief: A proposed 200-mile CO₂ pipeline and injection well project near the Florida-Alabama line has sparked fears of groundwater contamination in the Floridan Aquifer. Alabama Rep. Matthew Hammett urged Walton County leaders to help fight the project, saying even a 1% risk “is too much” for millions of people relying on the aquifer. Commissioners discussed sending letters to state leaders as Hammett pushes a bill in Alabama to ban CO₂ disposal wells. DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) met in DeFuniak Springs this past week, and Commissioner Danny Glidewell (District 2) included an environmental agenda item that was presented to the BCC by Representative Matthew Hammett from the 92nd District of Alabama.  Mr. Hammett’s district includes Covington County, Alabama, and Walton County, which is neighboring to the north.   The purpose of Hammett’s presentation was to secure support from Walton County commissioners and to ask them to ‘take a stand’ in opposition to the potentially dangerous CO2 (carbon dioxide) waste that will be transported by pipeline (200 miles) and placed deep in the ground.    Hammett told the BCC that “It’s estimated they’re [Reliant] going to try to put in 500 million cubic tons of CO2 waste in the ground per year.  It is not just a Covington County problem. One of the sites is within two miles of Paxton city limits.”   Mid... Read More

Sen. Don Gaetz, Officials push to block eastern gulf drilling over national security concerns Collin Bestor November 24, 2025 4:15 pm Government In Brief: Officials warn that proposed oil drilling in the Eastern Gulf could threaten national security by interfering with missions at the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range. Local economy at risk as Eglin Air Force Base supports roughly 70% of Northwest Florida’s economy and nearly 200,000 jobs. Environmental and tourism concerns grow, with drilling potentially harming the Gulf Coast’s waters, beaches, and visitor confidence. NICEVILLE — State Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) said proposed federal plans to open parts of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling would endanger U.S. national defense and upend Northwest Florida’s military-driven economy, calling on President Donald Trump to remove the parcels from an upcoming offshore lease sale.   “There can’t be a balance,” Gaetz said in an interview with Mid Bay News on Monday. “The military mission can’t be balanced against other considerations, because the military mission is paramount.”   Gaetz said drilling near the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range — a sprawling military operations area used for weapons testing and pilot training — could force the Air Force and other branches to relocate missions that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the United States.   “This is the only place where the kind of testing and training that’s done here can be done over water,” he said. Senator says delegation could influence Trump   Gaetz said Trump’s final decision... Read More

Another Yellowstone Chapter Debuts in 2026 The journey continues for Yellowstone’s Kayce Dutton. Premiering on CBS in 2026, Y: Marshals marks the next chapter in the Yellowstone universe, following John Dutton’s son as he forges a new path with an elite team of U.S. Marshals. Luke Grimes returns as Kayce and has hinted that fans will see familiar faces […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Landman‘s Second Season Started On November 16th Season 2 of Landman just premiered, but plans may already be in place for Season 3. The highly anticipated second season of Landman kicked off on Paramount+ on November 16th. Although only two episodes have been released so far, the drama is already heating up. We’ve also been […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Aspiring Singers Give Their All On The Road Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, and Gretchen Wilson search for the next country star on CBS’ new realty series The Road. Each week, the contestants travel to a new city and perform both original and cover songs for a live audience. The crowd decides their fate in real […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

 [[{“value”:” Join us in Rosemary Beach for an unforgettable evening as JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery and Pescado, partner with Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) for an exclusive multi-course Charity Wine Dinner. An Evening of Fine Wine & Giving Back at Pescado Seafood Grill and Rooftop Bar on Thursday, December 11th at 6pm – JUSTIN Vineyards Charity Wine Dinner Benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) at Pescado, Rosemary Beach with Moriah Giguere. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

 [[{“value”:” Watersound Town Center is adding national and regional retail stores, new dining concepts and professional office tenants – St. Joe’s open-air lifestyle shopping center located at the entrance to the Watersound Origins® community in Inlet Beach, FL, which is now 98% leased. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

 [[{“value”:” This holiday season, experience the magic of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic like never before! Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) proudly presents a forty five minute adaptation by Nathanael Fisher of A Christmas Carol. The fast-paced, family-friendly retelling of the beloved tale is performed at Seaside’s post office in central square on November 30, December 5-7, 13-14, and 18-23. All performances are free to the public and begin at 11 a.m. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More