WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Community leaders and residents gathered Thursday morning for a ribbon-cutting at Historical Henry Park in DeFuniak Springs. “This was sort of the epicenter of the welcoming effort for our tourists and back then, this was the tourist industry of Walton County. You know, it’s since moved to the beach. But […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Panhandle farmers are trying to protect their crops from this weekend’s expected freeze. Workers at Cherokee Ranch in Jackson County are paying close attention to the satsuma trees. Protecting the trees is necessary for cultivating next season’s crop. A freeze can kill the limbs of the tree, making them unable […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Jackson County Fire Rescue was awarded the 2025 Rural EMS Provider of the Year award last week in Orlando. Fire Chief Charlie Brunner says this award reflects the staff’s hard work over the last year. “Honestly, it’s just so overwhelming. So, we’re so humbled to be named this. This award […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Jackson County man has been arrested following a domestic violence dispute on Thursday. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, a domestic dispute broke out between 40-year-old Kirk Oliver and another individual. Deputies responded to the incident, where Oliver reportedly fired multiple shots, striking the victim’s vehicle, then fled […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Port Panama City officials hit a milestone Thursday morning, with a project two years in the making. Board members are ready to move forward with bidding for the second warehouse in the east terminal. The port received over $11 million from the Port Infrastructure Development Grant Program in late 2023. […] Read More

Hope on the Horizon: Revolutionary Carbon Ion Cancer Treatment Launching in Florida Staff Reports January 15, 2026 3:05 pm Health, State Government In Brief: Who: Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. Kent Thielen What: Launch of the first carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere When: Proton therapy in 2027, carbon ion therapy in 2028 Where: Mayo Clinic Jacksonville’s Duan Family Building Why: To provide advanced treatment for aggressive and hard-to-treat cancers while strengthening Florida’s role in medical innovation JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is set to make medical history after Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the launch of the first carbon ion therapy program in the United States — and the only one in the Western Hemisphere. The announcement was made alongside Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Kent Thielen, highlighting Florida’s growing role as a national leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. Carbon ion therapy is one of the most advanced radiation technologies available worldwide, offering new hope to patients battling aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. Until now, the treatment has only been accessible at select facilities in Europe and Asia. The new program will be housed inside Mayo Clinic’s recently opened Duan Family Building, a 228,000-square-foot cancer treatment and research facility that began operations in June 2025. The center is uniquely designed to provide both proton therapy and carbon ion therapy, allowing doctors to treat the same tumor using multiple advanced techniques for greater precision. Proton... Read More

Rep. Jimmy Patronis introduces PROTECT Act to repeal Section 230, raising questions about online speech and liability Collin Bestor January 15, 2026 2:48 pm Government NICEVILLE — A new bill introduced by Rep. Jimmy Patronis would eliminate one of the most important laws governing how Americans communicate online — a move supporters say would rein in powerful tech companies. Critics warn that it could fundamentally change how the internet works for everyday users.   The legislation, called the Promoting Responsible Online Technology and Ensuring Consumer Trust Act, or PROTECT Act, would fully repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law that shields online platforms from liability for most user-posted content.   Patronis says repealing the law is necessary to protect children from online harm, including exposure to content that promotes self-harm, suicide and addiction.   “As a father of two young boys, I refuse to stand by while Big Tech poisons our kids without consequence,” Patronis said in a statement announcing the bill. He compared social media platforms to addictive substances and argued they profit while avoiding accountability. What Section 230 does, in plain terms Section 230 is the reason websites are generally not legally responsible for what users post, whether that’s a Facebook comment, a YouTube video, a product review, or a message on a forum.   It also allows platforms to remove or moderate content they consider harmful or offensive without becoming legally liable for everything else on their site.   In short, it lets... Read More

Less Than A Month Before TPUSA’s “All American Halftime Show” Is Expected To Air, The Lineup Is Still Unknown On February 8, over 100 million Americans will be joined together as they tune in for the Super Bowl. However, it remains to be seen if everyone will be watching the same halftime show. The performer […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa Staff Reports January 15, 2026 10:27 am Charities and Nonprofits, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County Public Safety, community shelter partners, Patrick Maddox What: Cold weather shelter openings When: Thursday night, January 15 Where: Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Crestview Why: To provide warmth and safety during dangerously cold temperatures As cold temperatures settle across Northwest Florida, multiple cold-weather shelters will open on Thursday night across Okaloosa County to provide safe and warm accommodations for those in need. According to Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety Patrick Maddox, shelters are operating through strategic community partners in both the southern and northern portions of the county. Officials caution that operating hours and eligibility requirements vary by location. South County Shelters One Hopeful Place in Fort Walton Beach will open Thursday at 4 p.m. and will provide shelter for individuals 18 years of age and older. Bus transportation is available, with pickup beginning at 3:15 p.m. at 205 Shell Avenue. Two trips will be made, and participants will be transported back on Friday at 8 a.m. Participants may bring backpacks and essential overnight items. Bicycles, wagons, and suitcases are not permitted on the bus, though accommodations are available to secure personal items and bicycles at the pickup location. Generations Church in Niceville is also open Thursday night, with check-in available from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This shelter is open to families with children and elderly individuals. Transportation is provided... Read More

 [[{“value”:” SoWal Comedy Fest returns Thursday, February 12 through Saturday, February 14, 2026, bringing three days of sharp, big-city stand-up to South Walton over Valentine’s weekend with more than a dozen performers — an ideal date-weekend escape built around intimate rooms, capped attendance, and unforgettable nights out. After two straight years of sold-out crowds and sellout nights across the festival, early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More