Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish
Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish Staff Reports May 22, 2025 8:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Events, Fort Walton Beach, News, Okaloosa County, Wildlife In Brief: 🐠 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. 🎯 Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]
Cold War Over Okaloosa’s ‘County Wide Assets’ Rears Head Again
Crab Island’s vessel-free zone is gone — and with it, the illusion that all county commissioners agree on who controls what in Okaloosa’s waters.
UPDATE: Army Responds to Allegations of Ranger Misbehavior at Crab Island
Tourists at Crab Island say they saw soldiers drinking and shooting during Billy Bowlegs weekend — We’re asking officials for the version of events and what will happen next.
Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation Celebrates 10 Years with Olympian Cody Miller and Community Swim Event
With thousands of swimmers served, three public pools reopened, and a decade of community-driven success behind them, the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation is diving into its 10th-anniversary celebration. To celebrate, they’re bringing Olympic gold medalist Cody Miller along for the event. The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary on May 17. The […]
Lionfish Tournament Returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach This May
The Emerald Coast Open returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach from May 16–18, 2025, bringing divers, chefs, and the community together to remove invasive lionfish from local waters.
Eglin Conducts Munitions Test in Gulf of America
The Air Force will conduct munitions testing in the Gulf of America on April 24 from 8 AM to 4 PM.
SS United States Arrives in Mobile, Prepares for Artificial Reef Deployment
The SS United States has arrived in Mobile, Alabama, after a 1,800-mile tow from Philadelphia, marking the start of preparations for its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef off Florida’s Gulf Coast, alongside a planned museum and visitor center.
FPL To Ask For Largest Rate Increase Ever
Florida Power & Light plans to request new electricity rates for 2026-2029, citing the need for continued investment in infrastructure and clean energy while maintaining reliability. The proposed adjustments would increase residential bills by an average of 2.5% annually but remain below the national average.
SS United States to Depart Philadelphia, Begin Transformation into Artificial Reef
The SS United States will depart Philadelphia on Feb. 17, 2025, for Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo a year-long preparation to become the world’s largest artificial reef. Once deployed off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast, the reef will support marine life and boost diving and fishing tourism.
ANOTHER delay hampers SS United States trip to the bottom of the Gulf.
The SS United States is set to leave Philadelphia on February 8, 2025, en route to Mobile, Alabama, where contractors will prepare it for deployment as the world’s largest artificial reef. The transformation will take approximately a year, with the final reef location expected to be 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa County will also develop a museum to preserve the ship’s history.
