Duke Field aircraft crashes near Oklahoma City; crew walks away

A training flight from Duke Field’s 492nd Special Operations Wing ended in a crash near Oklahoma City on Thursday — but both crew members, an airman and a civilian contractor, escaped without injury.
Okaloosa County opens Florida’s first glowing bike path between Brooks Bridge and East Pass Park

Okaloosa County opens Florida’s first glowing bike path between Brooks Bridge and East Pass Park Staff Reports October 23, 2025 2:55 pm Uncategorized In Brief: 🌌 Glow trail opens: Florida’s first photoluminescent path now connects Brooks Bridge to East Pass Park.🚴 Safer recreation: The 4.4-mile trail honors cyclists lost on U.S. 98.🌿 Sustainable design: Built […]
Okaloosa County High School Bands Achieve Straight Superior Ratings at 2025 FBA Marching Assessment

All five Okaloosa County high school marching bands earned Straight Superior ratings at the 2025 Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Music Performance Assessment, making the district the only one in its region with top ratings across all schools.
New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview

New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview Staff Reports October 23, 2025 8:56 am Crestview, Okaloosa County In Brief: 👥 Who: Housing Trust Group, AM Affordable Housing, Alonzo Mourning, Matthew A. Rieger, Dusty Allison, Paul Mixon, John Feeney 🏗️ What: Opening of Princeton Grove, a $28 million affordable housing community for seniors 55+ 📅 […]
Destin Council approves school expansion, Crystal Beach parking and $2M FDOT grant

Big moves for Destin! The city council just approved a major Destin Elementary expansion, a new Crystal Beach parking project, and a $2 million FDOT grant for the Crosstown Connector, while also getting some great news about our water quality.
Sjoberg Named to Okaloosa Surtax Committee

Local developer and Mid Bay News co-host Paul Sjoberg has been appointed to the Okaloosa Half Cent Surtax Committee, where he will help guide the county’s continued growth and infrastructure development.
Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 2022 Shooting at Coasters

Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 2022 Shooting at Coasters Staff Reports October 22, 2025 11:32 am Crime, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Michael Alan Ladson was convicted of attempted second-degree murder for a 2022 shooting at Coasters in Fort Walton Beach. Ladson fired a single shot at […]
Okaloosa County: Highway 98 connector, Santa Rosa Boulevard improvements, new ambulances

Big moves in Okaloosa County this week: commissioners voted to partner with Santa Rosa County on a regional road study that could create a new east-west corridor off Highway 98 — plus approved a $1 million grant to upgrade Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.
Rep. Nathan Boyles files first bill aiming at expanding county authority over solar farms

From solar farms to storm prep, a new proposal from Rep. Nathan Boyles (R-Baker) would give counties more power over renewable-energy projects and hold utilities to stricter cost-benefit standard
Fort Walton Beach Police Respond to Reported Shots at White Wilson Medical Center

Fort Walton Beach police responded to White Wilson Medical Center after an 87-year-old man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot. He was transported to the hospital, and authorities say there is no ongoing threat.