Rep. Jimmy Patronis introduces PROTECT Act to repeal Section 230, raising questions about online speech and liability

A Northwest Florida lawmaker wants to repeal one of the laws that quietly shapes how we all use the internet. 💻⚖️
Rep. Jimmy Patronis has introduced the PROTECT Act, a bill that would fully repeal Section 230, the legal shield that protects websites from liability over most user-posted content. Patronis says the bill is it’s about protecting kids online, but fails to cite any measures in the bill that would do just that.
What would repeal actually do, and what wouldn’t it do? We break it down in plain terms.
Snow Could Surprise Florida This Sunday—Prepare Now

Florida could see snow on January 18, 2026. Meteorologists warn residents to prepare for icy roads and winter weather.
Severe weather possible across Northwest Florida this weekend

Emergency officials say a two-wave storm system could bring severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain to the region from Friday afternoon through early Saturday.
Mary Esther leaders mobilize to fight proposed closure of elementary school

Mary Esther officials and residents are mounting a public pushback against the Okaloosa County School District’s proposal to close Mary Esther Elementary, arguing the nearly 60-year-old school is central to the city’s identity, family stability and military readiness.
Okaloosa County Commissioners question license plate reader cameras

Are license plate readers a powerful crime-fighting tool, or a step too far into surveillance? Okaloosa County leaders just opened the debate.
Glenn Miller Orchestra Reignites the Golden Age of Swing in Pensacola

The Glenn Miller Orchestra returns to Pensacola Feb. 5, bringing iconic swing music to the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Hope Renewed at Bud Day Park: A Community Space Reborn

Okaloosa County will celebrate the reopening of Brigadier General Bud Day Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony showcasing major upgrades and new amenities.
Hope Behind Bars: How Some in Okaloosa County are Igniting Change

Inside the Okaloosa County Jail, inmates in the Anchored program are choosing accountability, healing, and hope—addressing trauma and addiction to break the cycle for good.
From Norriego Point to CO2 pipelines: The Stories That Defined the Emerald Coast in 2025

An $83 million land deal, shuttered schools, snow-covered beaches: Here are the stories that stood out in 2025.
With Walls’ Execution, Northwest Florida Confronts Its Serial Killer Past

As Frank Walls is executed today, Northwest Florida reflects on how many serial killers have impacted the region over the last 50 years.