10 players to watch ahead of the 2026 football season

These 10 standout athletes headline the Emerald Coast players to watch as the 2026 high school football season is set to begin spring practice in a few weeks.
From the 850 to the Nation: Emerald Coast Athletes Close Out 2025 College Football Season

Emerald Coast football, Niceville football, Crestview football, South Walton football, Choctaw football, 850 athletes, college football 2025, Cole Tabb Stanford, Kemper Hodges Air Force, Marcus Patterson Kennesaw State, Devin Voisin South Alabama, Simeon White Stetson, Zay Parks Florida State, Jaden Robinson Austin Peay, Khalil Jacobs Missouri, Tyler Powell Webber, Ramon Cruz Coast Guard, Joe Hanson Coastal Carolina, JP Mikhael Georgia Southern, Northwest Florida athletes
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.
Hereβs the latest on the Norreigo Point deal will net an ex-con $70 millionΒ

A contentious town hall revealed deep public skepticism over Okaloosa Countyβs early park plans for a state-purchased waterfront property, as officials insisted the process is just beginning amid scrutiny over price, access, and influence.
Destin Launches DOGE Efficiency Initiative, Identifies $625,000 in City Savings

Destin city leaders outlined a new citywide efficiency initiative that has already identified roughly $625,000 in savings, aiming to modernize operations, reduce waste, and strengthen public trust amid growing fiscal pressures and state oversight.
Fort Walton Beach voters to decide on charter amendments in March 2025

Fort Walton Beach City Council has approved six charter-related ordinances that will go before voters in a March 10, 2026, referendum, asking residents to decide on changes to city elections, governance rules, elected official compensation, administrative language, and budget limits.
Fort Walton Beach recommends elevated flyover option for “Around the Mound” project

With billions in traffic, military access, and downtown development on the line, Fort Walton Beach leaders say this may be their one shot to get the U.S. 98 reroute right.
Mid Bay News ranks the top ten football games from the 2025 season

Overtime stunners, last-second field goals, and championship dreams , these are the high school football games fans will be talking about for years.
Florida Property Tax Proposals Draw Sharp Warnings from Okaloosa Officials

Should Florida eliminate property taxes? Okaloosa County mayors and managers told state lawmakers that doing so would destabilize city budgets, threaten police and fire services, and shift control away from local voters. A new statewide study supports their warning.
Walton County Sheriff rebukes Kyle Rittenhouse’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ claims in DeFuniak Springs shooting

The Walton County Sheriffβs Office is pushing back hard after Kyle Rittenhouse claimed a DeFuniak Springs shooting was lawful self-defense. Sheriff Michael Adkinson says the victim was unarmed on his own property and calls the commentary βwildly irresponsible.β