Mayor Whitten Joins National Foreign Policy Summit
Crestview Mayor JB Whitten joined more than 30 mayors from across the country in Washington, D.C., for the Mayors Foreign Policy Summit, a two-day event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Whitten said the meetings with national policymakers and members of Congress offered valuable insight into how global issues directly affect Crestview and provided an opportunity to voice the city’s concerns at the federal level.
DeSantis Unveils Florida’s New “AI Bill of Rights” and Data Center Crackdown
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a sweeping proposal to establish an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” in Florida, setting new rules for how AI can be used by businesses, governments, and insurers. The plan also places strict limits on hyperscale data centers, aiming to protect residents from higher utility costs, safeguard water resources, and give local communities the power to reject major tech developments.
Tourism Pumps $133B Into Florida Economy
Florida’s tourism industry delivered a record-setting year in 2024, generating $133.6 billion in economic impact, supporting 1.8 million jobs, and saving Florida households nearly $2,000 in taxes. New data from VISIT FLORIDA shows visitor spending reached historic highs, with 99 cents of every tourism dollar staying in the state’s economy.
DeSantis Moves to Shut Down Puppy Mills in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a sweeping proposal to crack down on abusive puppy mills and strengthen protections for dogs across Florida. The plan calls for statewide breeder licensing, tougher penalties for animal abusers, a new hotline to report mistreatment, and requirements for pet stores to prioritize shelter adoptions as overcrowding reaches crisis levels.
Florida Delegation Warns Trump: Drilling Threatens Military Ops
Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis and a group of fellow House members are urging President Donald Trump to remove several drilling blocks from an upcoming federal lease sale in the Gulf, warning that oil exploration in the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range could disrupt military testing, threaten Northwest Florida’s economy, and undercut the region’s tourism industry.
Audit sparks major overhaul: Florida Lawmakers move to fix school choice tracking and funding Flaws
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Patronis Demands Answers on Special Operations Relocation
Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis and Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are pressing Pentagon leaders for answers after the Air Force finalized its plan to move the 492nd Special Operations Wing from Northwest Florida to Arizona. In a sharply worded letter, the lawmakers warn the relocation could slow U.S. response times to growing threats in Venezuela and the Caribbean and question why the Air Force relied on Biden-era climate considerations instead of current national security priorities.
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Proposal for Florida to Manage Atlantic Red Snapper Season Beginning in 2026
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Proposal for Florida to Manage Atlantic Red Snapper Season Beginning in 2026 Staff Reports November 12, 2025 9:14 am State Government In Brief: 👤 Who: Governor Ron DeSantis, FWC Executive Director Roger Young, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick 🎣 What: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission submitted an Exempted Fishing […]
Rep. Nathan Boyles files first bill aiming at expanding county authority over solar farms
From solar farms to storm prep, a new proposal from Rep. Nathan Boyles (R-Baker) would give counties more power over renewable-energy projects and hold utilities to stricter cost-benefit standard
Florida Chamber President: Emerald Coast Must ‘Play the Long Game’ to Secure Economic Future
Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson told Emerald Coast business leaders that Florida’s growth depends on long-term planning, investment in early education, and local collaboration. Speaking alongside former Niceville City Councilman Sal Nodjomian, Wilson highlighted challenges such as housing affordability and retaining young workers while projecting that Florida could become the world’s 10th largest economy by 2030.
