Fort Walton Beach considers voter referendum to move city elections to November

Fort Walton Beach leaders want residents to decide when local elections are held — would you support moving them to November alongside statewide races?
Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal

Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal Collin Bestor September 2, 2025 2:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: 📱 Jailhouse texts show Councilmember Bryce Jeter negotiated a $65,000 property sale with inmate Walter Robinson Jr., linking the deal to Robinson’s bail. ⚖️ Critics allege coercion and conflict of […]
Fort Walton Beach Councilmember accused of coercing jailed man into property sale; Jeter denies allegations

A Fort Walton Beach councilmember is at the center of a storm after being accused of pressuring a jailed man into signing away his home — but he says the allegations are “100% false.”
Fort Walton Beach eyes voluntary state “DOGE” audit amid $8M budget gap

Fort Walton Beach is requesting a voluntary state DOGE audit while navigating an $8 million budget shortfall and working within new voter-imposed spending caps ahead of finalizing its 2025-26 budget.
Fort Walton Beach approves interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’

A major plan to divert U.S. 98 traffic around downtown Fort Walton Beach just got a funding boost, and leaders say it could clear the cones from your commute in less than a decade.
Fort Walton Beach backs FDOT plan to curb crashes at First Street and Beal Parkway

A Fort Walton Beach intersection with more than triple the crashes considered “hazardous” is getting a quick safety makeover — here’s what’s changing for drivers.
Fort Walton Beach moves to ‘plainly audible’ noise ordinance, expands exemptions

Fort Walton Beach is turning down the volume on its old noise law, and turning up enforcement with a “plainly audible” rule police say will finally work.
Fort Walton Beach OKs $415K no-bid contract for new downtown parking lot

With downtown parking spots disappearing fast, Fort Walton Beach is skipping the bidding process to get a new lot built in record time.
Fort Walton Beach council rejects removal of charter chair over alleged confrontation

A heated clash, physical accusations, and a narrow vote—see why Fort Walton Beach’s council is divided over this explosive incident.
Fort Walton Beach approves TrackMan golf upgrade to driving range, backed by user fees

The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 5-1 to lease high-tech TrackMan golf equipment for the city’s driving range, a move officials say will modernize the facility, attract new users, and generate additional revenue — all without taxpayer burden.