Rain Pushes Christmas Parade to December 2
Rainy weather has pushed the community’s Christmas Parade to Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The parade will follow its familiar route along Eglin Parkway with a festive “Zoo Animals” theme, inviting families to line the roadway for a lively, colorful celebration once conditions clear.
Overnight Storms Could Pack a Surprise Punch
A low-pressure system skimming the Gulf Coast tonight could bring a small but meaningful threat of severe weather to coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Per a memo from Okaloosa County Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox, forecasters say the position of a warm front will determine whether damaging winds or a brief, rain-wrapped tornado could develop as the system moves through overnight.
Eglin Drone Failures Put Anduril Under the Microscope
Anduril Industries’ high-profile drone programs are facing fresh scrutiny after two Altius drones crashed during Air Force testing at Eglin Air Force Base, highlighting ongoing technical problems that contradict the company’s confident public claims. Interviews with former employees, military officials, and Ukrainian operators reveal a pattern of failures across Anduril’s Altius and Ghost platforms, even as the company’s valuation skyrockets and demand for modern battlefield drones grows.
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.
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.
