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.
Destin City Council Weighs Conservation, State Talks Over $84M Land Deal

Destin leaders agreed to open discussions with the state about conservation zoning for the Norriego Point property while stopping short of formal action to maintain leverage over its future use.
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.
Here’s the latest on the Norreigo Point deal will net an ex-con $70 million

A contentious town hall revealed deep public skepticism over Okaloosa County’s early park plans for a state-purchased waterfront property, as officials insisted the process is just beginning amid scrutiny over price, access, and influence.
Palmer Seeks Public Input on Holiday Isle Park

Commissioner Palmer invites Okaloosa residents to a Dec. 30 town hall to give input on a new 4-acre Holiday Isle waterfront park.
Okaloosa County Corrections Earns Third State Accreditation

Okaloosa County’s Department of Corrections earned Florida Corrections Accreditation with 3rd Excelsior Status, marking continued excellence in correctional standards.
Business leaders urge Okaloosa County to renew half-cent infrastructure surtax

Okaloosa’s business community is pushing to renew the county’s half-cent surtax — a tax they say has fueled more than $136 million in improvements and unlocked nearly $300 million in grants. Commissioners say voters now have something they didn’t in 2018: results.
Okaloosa County launches full opposition to Alabama CO₂ Injection Project citing aquifer threat

Okaloosa County is launching a full-scale fight against a proposed Alabama CO₂ storage project commissioners say threatens Florida’s drinking water and river systems.
Okaloosa County opposes Gulf drilling, citing national security and tourism risks

Okaloosa County Commissioners just took a firm stand against any effort to resume drilling in the eastern Gulf, saying it would threaten Eglin’s mission and the region’s multibillion-dollar tourism economy.
Okaloosa County to Observe Veterans Day with Unveiling of New Women Veteran Statues

Okaloosa County will mark Veterans Day with a ceremony at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, featuring the unveiling of two new statues honoring women veterans, including Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee and an Iroquois Warrior Woman from the War of 1812. The statues will later be added to the Women Veterans Monuments at Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island.