30A Breaking News

Okaloosa County Schools Revisit Start Times Amid Concerns Over Teen Health and Bus Shortages Collin Bestor January 14, 2026 2:00 pm Schools and Education NICEVILLE — As Florida lawmakers retreat from a mandate that would have forced later start times for middle and high schools, a renewed debate unfolded on Monday as members of the Okaloosa County School Board heard comments from a local pediatrician urging school leaders to reconsider early schedules despite mounting logistical and financial challenges.   Dr. Lynn Keefe, a longtime Okaloosa County pediatrician, addressed the school board during public comment, warning that decades of sleep research show chronic sleep deprivation among adolescents is harming students’ physical health, mental well-being and brain development.    “Kids who get inadequate sleep are not healthy,” Keefe said. “The data is overwhelming, and the damage to kids’ brains and bodies is real.”   Her remarks came as Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation allowing school districts to comply with a 2023 state law on later start times without actually changing their schedules, effectively delaying widespread implementation. A mandate softened Under the original 2023 law, middle schools could not begin instruction earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools could not start before 8:30 a.m., with the changes set to take effect in the 2026–27 school year.   Lawmakers said the goal was to improve student academic performance and mental health.   But legislation signed in May allows districts to be deemed “in compliance” by submitting a report outlining their current start times,... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Project Kilowatt just became official in Bay County and now has a name. On Tuesday, Bay Economic Alliance officials announced Voltari Electric has plans to bring a new U.S. shipyard to Bay County. The Canadian-based electric boat manufacturer plans to take over and expand the former Queen Craft Shipyard, bringing […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Firefighters responded quickly to an early morning RV fire in Choctaw Beach on Wednesday. Walton County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to a residence at 7:21 a.m on Aspen Street following a 911 call reporting a structure fire. Firefighters said they arrived on scene to find an RV fully involved, […] Read More

Tracy Lawrence is opening up about a near-death experience he faced 35 years ago, and he says it still affects him physically and emotionally to this day. In May 1991, Tracy was walking through downtown Nashville, Tennessee when he was shot multiple times during an attempted armed robbery. He recently shared details about that night […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa Staff Reports January 14, 2026 11:39 am Charities and Nonprofits, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Okaloosa County opens shelters in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Crestview for residents during cold weather. Transportation is provided for residents to shelters, with safety rules for belongings. Shelters serve individuals, families, and elderly residents to ensure warmth and safety. Okaloosa County officials are ensuring that residents have a safe place to stay during the current cold weather by opening multiple strategic partner cold weather shelters across the county. These shelters provide temporary housing for individuals, families, and the elderly, offering specific hours and transportation services for residents who require assistance. South County Shelters: One Hopeful Place in Fort Walton Beach will be open on Wednesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 15, starting at 4 p.m. Residents can call 850-586-7879 for more information. Bus transportation will pick up residents at 205 Shell Ave, with trips starting at 3:15 p.m. on January 14 and at 3:30 p.m. on January 15. The shelter accommodates individuals 18 years or older. Generations Church in Niceville will open Wednesday night, January 14, for check-ins from 8–10 p.m. Families with children and elderly residents are welcome. Contact 850-678-2531 for details. North County Shelter: The Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless will open on Wednesday, January 14, and Thursday night, January 15, starting at 6 p.m. Contact 850-398-5670 for information. Officials remind residents that transportation is... 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 peanut butter dip. Here is the recipe: Read More

Routine Stop Turns Serious as Deputies Seize Cocaine and Firearm Staff Reports January 14, 2026 10:40 am Crime, Walton County In Brief: Deputies recovered 44.7 grams of cocaine packaged in 32 baggies A firearm and nearly $5,800 in cash were also found during the search The arrest stemmed from a late-night traffic stop for a stop sign violation A late-night traffic stop in Santa Rosa Beach led to the arrest of a local man on cocaine trafficking and weapons charges after deputies discovered dozens of baggies of suspected narcotics inside his vehicle. According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a dark gray Dodge Ram just after 10 p.m. Monday, January 12, after observing the driver roll through a stop sign on J.D. Miller Road near Frito Lane. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Pablo Jesus Oviedo, immediately drew attention from deputies due to the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputies also observed a marijuana blunt tucked behind Oviedo’s left ear and a THC-labeled pouch sitting in the center console. Based on those observations, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies located multiple small individual baggies containing a white crystal-like substance, along with empty baggies, a digital scale with residue, and a spoon with white residue. Additional baggies containing the same substance were later found on Oviedo’s person, including inside his jacket pocket and waistband. A presumptive field test of the substance returned a positive result for cocaine. In total, deputies... Read More

Nearly 8 Months After Its Release, Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m The Problem’ Returns To Top Of Billboard 200 “My castle crumbled overnight. I brought a knife to a gunfight. They took the crown, but it’s alright.”– “Call It What You Want,” Taylor Swift Almost eight months have passed since Morgan Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Excellence Recognized: Walton County Official Honored Across Florida Staff Reports January 14, 2026 10:15 am Health, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Who: Dawn Cooper, Walton County Jail Health Services Manager What: Named Florida Model Jail Standards Medical Inspector of the Year When: Award announced January 13, 2026; formal recognition in February 2026 Where: Walton County; recognition ceremony in St. Augustine, Florida Why: For leadership, collaboration, and excellence in correctional health inspections statewide Walton County Jail Health Services Manager Dawn Cooper has been named the Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) Medical Inspector of the Year for the 2025 inspection cycle, earning statewide recognition for her leadership in correctional health care. The honor, presented by the Florida Model Jail Standards Commission, recognizes outstanding performance among medical inspectors tasked with ensuring jail health operations across Florida meet constitutional and statutory requirements. Florida Model Jail Standards serve as the minimum benchmarks jails must meet to protect the rights, safety, and health of incarcerated individuals. Oversight of those standards shifted to the local level in 1996, when legislation transferred inspection authority from the Florida Department of Corrections to a commission appointed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Association of Counties.   This year’s award was especially competitive, with the FMJS Commission receiving a record 21 nominations from across the state before selecting the 2025 recipients. Cooper, a 20-year veteran of the Walton County Jail, became a certified FMJS medical inspector in June 2024. Since then, she has participated in eight jail inspections... Read More

Stokes named Niceville Firefighter of the Year Christopher Saul January 14, 2026 9:35 am Niceville Niceville Firefighters voted Firefighter Chris Stokes their Firefighter of the Year for 2025.  Niceville Fire Chief Alex Kukulus presented Stokes, a department member since 2024, his award and medal at the January City Council Meeting in front of his shift and citizens gathered for the event. “He was overwhelmingly chosen by his peers,” Kukulus said of Stokes, “It’s notable as a new firefighter to be selected as the Firefighter of the Year… I see him myself, just his positive attitude, his energy. He’s always out there, training. He raises his hand to be a part of things. He’s on several committees already, so I couldn’t be happier to have him.”   Stokes serves the city as a Firefighter/EMT and is working towards his Paramedic certification at Northwest Florida State College. He’s a 2019 graduate from Niceville High School, where he played on the Varsity Soccer team.  “Chris is an example of a Hometown Hero and a real NHS success story in that he chose a career that gives back and serves his community,” said Niceville High School Principal Charlie Morello. Currently, Niceville is working toward having enough Paramedics on its staff to become ALS certified. This certification, carried by most of the cities in Okaloosa County, provides city residents with an advanced level of care quicker than they have now.  RELATED: Niceville fire chief talks about the future of the department.    More Local News... Read More