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

  Many people travel to Panama City Beach for our incredible selection of fresh seafood straight from the Gulf, but what some may not realize is that our coastal town also has a growing number of spots that cater beautifully to vegan and plant-based guests. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome   Read More

Engineering Excellence on Display at Niceville High School Staff Reports November 10, 2025 4:05 pm Niceville, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: : Who: Students of Niceville High School, Richard Hernandez (Teacher), Superintendent Marcus Chambers, Assistant Superintendent John Spolski, School Board Member Brett Hinely, Mary Colleen Johnson, Eleanor Ballard, Lana Dorey, Lillian Kifer, Julia Milz, Gabriel Craig What: Annual Engineering Challenge Project on rising sea levels and storm surge, showcasing student research and solutions When: November 4, 2025 Where: Niceville High School, Florida Why: To connect classroom learning with real-world global issues and develop critical thinking, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving skills   Students Tackle Rising Sea Levels and Storm Surge with Innovative Solutions Niceville, Fla. — On November 4, 2025, students at Niceville High School presented their annual Engineering Challenge Project, demonstrating innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in front of elected officials, district leaders, and community members. The event highlighted weeks of rigorous research, writing, and collaboration, as students explored complex scientific and societal issues. This year’s challenge, titled “The Impact of Rising Sea Levels and Storm Surge on Florida,” tasked students with analyzing decades of predictive data, evaluating policy and infrastructure needs, and proposing practical, cost-effective mitigation strategies. Students drew on real-world scenarios to examine the effects of climate change on coastal communities, considering both environmental and economic impacts. Under the direction of Richard Hernandez, Gifted and AICE Global Perspectives teacher, students engaged in a multi-step research process that included consulting with engineers, analyzing historical storm-surge and sea-level... Read More

Noah Galloway, a former United States Army soldier, appeared on Season 20 of “Dancing With The Stars” as the first person with multiple… Country Music Nation  Read More

Okaloosa County School District Announces 2025 Sunshine State Scholars Staff Reports November 10, 2025 2:54 pm Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who: Penelope Gordon, Emma Michel, Adonaiah White, Superintendent Marcus Chambers What: Named 2025 Sunshine State Scholars in STEM fields When: 2025 academic year; program involves a two-day event in Orlando Where: Okaloosa County, Florida; Orlando, Florida, for the program event Why: To recognize top-performing STEM students and provide networking and educational opportunities Penelope Gordon and Emma Michel Recognized for Excellence in STEM, Adonaiah White Named Alternate Okaloosa County, Fla. — The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) has announced its 2025 Sunshine State Scholars, highlighting the academic achievements of students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Penelope Gordon from Fort Walton Beach High School and Emma Michel from Niceville High School have been selected as the district’s primary scholars. Adonaiah White from Crestview High School has been named the district’s alternate scholar. The Sunshine State Scholars Program is an annual initiative by the Florida Department of Education that recognizes the top 11th-grade students in each district who demonstrate exceptional aptitude and commitment to STEM fields. Each district selects its most outstanding STEM students to participate in a two-day program in Orlando. During the event, students have the opportunity to network with STEM-focused employers and college representatives, explore educational and career pathways, and be formally honored for their achievements and aspirations. Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the students for their accomplishments and... Read More