30A Breaking News

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – TDC board members approved a $28,000 bid on Tuesday to house Highway Patrol Officers at the beach as they assist with spring break patrols. “We always want to work collaboratively with our community leaders and, of course, our local law enforcement. When we found a need that really fit our […] Read More

Disturbing Arrest: Fort Walton Beach Man Accused of Lewd Act Staff Reports January 14, 2026 5:22 pm Crime, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: A Fort Walton Beach man was arrested after a reported lewd act involving juvenile girls. Witnesses confirmed the incident after a mother contacted deputies. The suspect is also being held on an immigration detainer. A Fort Walton Beach man was taken into custody after allegedly making sexually inappropriate remarks and committing a lewd and lascivious act in front of several juvenile girls near David Street, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say 23-year-old Marco Lanza Turicios was arrested on January 10 and charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition. The investigation began after a mother reported the incident to law enforcement, and deputies were able to confirm the account through witnesses. After locating Turicios, deputies determined he had entered the United States illegally approximately eight years ago. He was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview and is also being held on an immigration detainer. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge parents and guardians to report suspicious or inappropriate behavior involving children immediately. More Local News Charities and Nonprofits Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa 30a Residents attack Walton County Eastern Lake plan Niceville This is What Niceville Will Build With Your Tax Money In The Next Five Years: Load More The post Disturbing Arrest: Fort Walton Beach Man Accused of Lewd Act appeared first... Read More

FLORIDA (WMBB) – The Florida Senate has passed legislation that will improve the efficiency of the school voucher program and its funding. The school voucher program provides public funding to families who want to seek alternative education options. SB 318 was filed at the end of last year by Senator Don Gaetz after a 2025 […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene of a traffic crash involving three vehicles, including the ‘Dolphin’ school bus, on Wednesday. Authorities said the bus was transporting students from Freeport Middle and Freeport Elementary. Northbound lanes of 331 S are blocked at this time, and deputies are currently […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Trump administration has selected a Jackson County man to serve on an important agriculture committee. Mack Glass is one of five people selected to serve on the Florida USDA Farm Service Agency state committee. Glass is from Marianna. He is the General Manager of his ranch, where he oversees […] Read More

Snow Could Surprise Florida This Sunday—Prepare Now Staff Reports January 14, 2026 2:23 pm Emerald Coast, Weather In Brief: Who: Meteorologists, Florida residents, FDEM What: Potential snow and icy conditions When: Sunday, January 18, 2026 Where: Florida, particularly north of the Tennessee Valley Why: Freezing temperatures coinciding with moisture could create hazardous winter conditions Meteorologists are closely monitoring model runs for the potential of snow in parts of Florida on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Forecasts have varied in recent days, swinging between light flurries, a wintry mix, and a possible accumulation of up to one inch. The latest GFS, Euro, and CMC models show differing scenarios. While the CMC model keeps snow north of the Tennessee Valley, both the GFS and Euro suggest that freezing temperatures could coincide with moisture, creating conditions where snow or ice could stick. Officials caution that while this isn’t expected to be a “Snowmageddon” like in 2025, even a small accumulation could make driving hazardous. Residents are encouraged to stay alert and monitor updates, as a Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) call could be issued if conditions trend toward winter weather. Officials also reminded residents to practice the 5 P’s of cold weather safety: People Pets Plants Pipes And Practice Fire Safety Stay tuned for further updates as forecasts continue to evolve. More Local News Charities and Nonprofits Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa 30a Residents attack Walton County Eastern Lake plan Niceville This is What Niceville Will Build With... Read More

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