PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Holiday lights may fill the streets, but families are still in need. The Panama City Rescue Mission has been trying to fill those needs for decades. The homeless and those trying to recover from addiction don’t experience the same comfort, family, and tradition that most people enjoy. Sometimes, something as […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Every day of the year, the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command Region 1st Air Force watches over the skies. However, once a year, that mission takes an unexpected turn. On Christmas Eve, the same command responsible for national defense becomes the world’s official source for tracking Santa Claus […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Despite his busy schedule, Santa has made a surprising number of visits to local businesses and holiday celebrations this month. Last week, he stopped by the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast neonatal intensive care unit in Miramar Beach. The Ascension Sacred Heart team wanted to spread some Christmas cheer to […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – News13 and Bill Cramer Chevrolet GMC have teamed up again this year for the Salvation Army’s 42nd Annual Empty Stocking Fund. Thanks to you, we’re over halfway to our $200,000 goal. Tuesday night total is $156,404.10. We’re getting close to the end of our campaign, so we need your help […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – AAA expects 7.5 million residents to be traveling for Christmas, up 3.4% from last year. 6.7 million will be going to their destinations in cars. More than a few of them will wind up stuck somewhere on the side of the road or in a repair shop. That might be […] Read More

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Fort Walton Beach voters to decide on charter amendments in March 2025 Collin Bestor December 23, 2025 3:45 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: Six proposed charter amendments will appear on the March 2026 ballot for Fort Walton Beach voters Changes include election timing, governance rules, administrative updates, and compensation for elected officials Voters will also decide whether to repeal limits on annual city budget increases FORT WALTON BEACH — Fort Walton Beach city leaders have approved a package of charter-related ordinances that will place six proposed amendments before voters in a March 10, 2026, referendum, setting up a wide-ranging decision on how the city conducts elections, governs itself, compensates elected officials and manages its budget.   The ordinances, adopted on second reading on Dec. 16, stem from months of City Council discussions and recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. City Attorney Jeff Burns said voter approval is required before any changes to the city charter can take effect.   Taken together, the measures would align city elections with statewide contests, revise governance rules, modernize administrative language, authorize compensation for elected officials and repeal limits on annual budget increases in the City of Fort Walton Beach. Moving city elections to November Ordinance 2195 would amend the charter to move municipal elections for mayor and City Council to coincide with statewide general elections held in November of even-numbered years. Under the proposal, officials would continue to be elected at large for four-year terms beginning April 1 following the election.   The... Read More

Fort Walton Beach recommends elevated flyover option for “Around the Mound” project Collin Bestor December 23, 2025 3:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: City council voted 6–1 to urge FDOT to reconsider an elevated flyover design for U.S. 98 Officials cited improved traffic flow and military mission readiness as key reasons for backing Alternative 1B Residents raised concerns about public input, funding clarity, and long-term neighborhood impacts FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 6-1 on Dec. 16 to formally ask the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reconsider an elevated design option for the long-planned “Around the Mound” rerouting of U.S. Highway 98.   The action came as the council approved Resolution 2025-31, reaffirming support for Alternative 1B, a design that includes elevated flyovers, over Alternative 1A or a no-build option currently under consideration by FDOT.   City Attorney Jeff Burns said the confusion appears to stem from a lack of a formal, recent statement from the city supporting 1B after a February 2024 public meeting, despite years of earlier council actions backing what was then known as Alternative 2 B. Burns said that gap may have contributed to FDOT advancing 1A as its recommended option at a December public hearing.   “I think it became apparent that, despite the fact that the city had pushed 1B over about a six- or seven-year period, there was never really an official position taken after that February 2024 meeting,” Burns said. “That possibly led to some... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The man who stripped off all of his clothes and ran into a Panama City retail chain store Monday night is in the Bay County Jail. 31-year-old Zyreece Guy is being charged with indecent exposure, battery, and resisting an officer without violence. Panama City Police responded to the Hobby Lobby […] Read More

More details are emerging about the deaths of legendary actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, who died on December 14. Rob Reiner, the director behind some of Hollywood’s greatest films, was murdered at his home in Brentwood, California. His wife was also killed. The couple’s son, Nick, has been charged with two […] More Country Music Nation  Read More