CHIPLEY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Chipley Christmas Fest is returning to the downtown area of Chipley to provide the community with an opportunity for some family friendly fun for the holiday season. Taking place on Saturday, December 20 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., this completely free event has a wide variety of activities and […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – An Army Captain who was stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia was arrested Sunday on 42 sex crimes against a minor in Walton County. According to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, on July 15, Sean Benjamin Cushman, 30, was arrested on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of […] Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – News 13 brings you a segment focused on health and fitness on News 13 Midday every Wednesday called “Wellness Wednesday.” This week, Personal Trainer Traycee Green from Pure Platinum was in the studio with News 13’s Chris Marchand and Amelia Henderson on how to make golden milk. Here are the ingredients: Here […] Read More

Florida Property Tax Proposals Draw Sharp Warnings from Okaloosa Officials Collin Bestor December 17, 2025 10:31 am Okaloosa County In Brief: Okaloosa County officials warned state lawmakers that eliminating or sharply cutting property taxes would destabilize city budgets and weaken public safety. Local leaders said property taxes are the most reliable funding source for police, fire, roads and utilities, and that removing them would shift control from voters to Tallahassee. A new Florida League of Cities study backs those concerns, projecting major revenue losses and service cuts statewide if homestead property taxes are eliminated.       SHALIMAR — Local officials in Okaloosa County used a legislative delegation meeting on Monday to deliver a stark warning to state lawmakers: proposals to eliminate or sharply reduce property taxes would undermine public safety, erode local control and destabilize municipal finances across Florida. The concerns surfaced repeatedly as mayors, city managers and tax officials urged the delegation, comprising of State Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) and State Rep. Patt Maney (R-Shalimar) and Nathan Boyles (R-Baker) to oppose sweeping changes to ad valorem taxes now being promoted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and through potential ballot measures advancing in the Florida House. Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks called property taxes the “most predictable and transparent” revenue source available to cities, warning that eliminating them would force municipalities to rely on volatile sales taxes, state transfers or debt. “Government works best when decisions are made closest to the people,” Franks said, adding that... Read More

Hope in the Cold: How Local Leaders Protect the Unhoused Tricia Elliott December 17, 2025 9:50 am Charities and Nonprofits, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: One Hopeful Place and Fort Walton Beach Police activate a coordinated response during freezing temperatures to transport and shelter unhoused individuals safely. Leaders Donna Morgan and Officer “Bhags” Bhagwatsingh emphasize compassion, education, and trust over enforcement while addressing homelessness. Community partnerships, faith-based volunteers, and targeted donations play a vital role in supporting the area’s only cold night shelter. A cold night can turn bitter quickly for people experiencing homelessness in our community. In the city of Fort Walton Beach, there is only one official cold night shelter — and that safe, warm place is One Hopeful Place. Perhaps the meaning is right there in the name. Hopeful is a powerful word for those with nowhere else to turn. It’s often said that a society is only as strong as its most vulnerable citizens, and the way we treat the less fortunate speaks volumes about who we are as a community. This article highlights two local professionals whose compassion, commitment, and service should make you proud to call this area home. While my intention with this article was to help spread the word about the only cold night shelter in Fort Walton Beach, it quickly became clear that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Addressing homelessness requires more than emergency shelter — it requires education, compassion, and awareness from the... Read More

In 2016, Rob Reiner Directed Being Charlie, A Film Written By His Son, Nick The film Being Charlie was written by Nick Reiner and his friend Matt Elisofon, and directed by Nick’s father, the legendary Rob Reiner. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2015. It was then later released in […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Many Panama City residents have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the MLK Rec Center. The new state-of-the-art facility has a fitness center, gym, STEM lab, teaching kitchen, and more. However, just hours after residents got a first look at the new ‘Rec’, their excitement was met with frustration. “[Monday], […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Florida’s school voucher system provides public funds for families who choose to educate students using alternative or private methods. The goal was to provide low-income students and others with more options. Participation in the program increased statewide over the last few years. But a recent audit on the Florida Department […] Read More

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Apalachicola residents and city leaders packed the city’s meeting room Tuesday to hear State Representative Jason Shoaf and State Senator Corey Simon propose a bill about the future of the city’s water system. The legislation would create a new ‘Apalachicola Water and Sewer District,’ giving the state full control over […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A bridge in Southport is getting a complete makeover, and Bay County commissioners are happy they won’t be paying for it. On Tuesday, county commissioners approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the replacement of a small bridge stretching over Fannin Bayou. The bridge located on County […] Read More