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.
Thanksgiving restaurant openings in Okaloosa, Walton counties
Thanksgiving restaurant openings in Okaloosa, Walton counties Staff Reports November 25, 2025 11:46 pm Uncategorized In Brief: 🦃Enjoy a Thanksgiving at local restaurants on the Emerald Coast. Whether you want to give friends and family a taste of what the Emerald Coast has to offer, or you burned the turkey and need to find your […]
Westonwood Ranch Lands $400K for New Training Center
Westonwood Ranch will move forward with a major expansion after securing $400,000 in state funding to build a new life skills and job training center in Freeport. The project will strengthen vocational training and independence programs for young adults with developmental disabilities while supporting a broader initiative to bring affordable, supportive housing to Northwest Florida.
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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FWBHS Students Debut Tiny House, Gear Up for International Competition
Fort Walton Beach High School’s Building Trades students gave district leaders and community members an inside look at their in-progress tiny house project during a special preview event this week. The showcase highlighted the students’ growing expertise in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and finishing — skills they’ll put to the test when they compete at the 2026 International Builders’ Show® in Orlando.
OCSO Searching for Missing 35-Year-Old Tremaine McClellan
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 35-year-old Tremaine McClellan, who was last heard from on November 3, 2025. Investigators released photos of McClellan and the SUV he may be driving, urging the public to come forward with any information that could help locate him. Anyone with tips is encouraged to contact the OCSO or reach out anonymously through Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers.
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.
Back-to-Back Champ Coach Steps Down
Rocky Bayou Christian School Head Football Coach KC Woods is stepping down after leading the Knights to their second straight SSAA state championship. Woods will stay on as Assistant Principal as the school begins searching for a new head coach.
Death Row Timeline Nears End for Frank Walls
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Frank Athen Walls, the Okaloosa County man convicted in the 1987 murders of Airman Edward Alger and Ann Peterson and later linked to three additional slayings. Walls is scheduled to be executed on December 18, marking another addition to Florida’s record-setting year for executions.
