Okaloosa County Commissioners approve amendment to Hospital Assessment Program

Okaloosa County commissioners approved an amendment to the Local Provider Participation Fund, ensuring local hospitals can continue receiving Medicaid-related reimbursements at no cost to taxpayers.
DeSantis Signs $115B Florida Budget; $87 Million Headed to Okaloosa and Walton Counties

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Floridaโs $115 billion state budget, securing more than $87 million for Okaloosa and Walton County projects, while issuing only a few local vetoes and launching a $2 billion statewide tax relief plan.
Okaloosa Commissioners OK Tourism Money for Shalimar Park

Plans to revitalize a neglected Shalimar waterfront are officially underway, as Okaloosa County greenlights a $3 million park project with fishing docks, pavilions, and more.
Okaloosa Approves Agreement to Fight For Destin Underpass

A $20 million pedestrian underpass could soon change how people cross one of Destinโs most hazardous intersections โ if local leaders can secure federal funding in time.
Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish

Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish Staff Reports May 22, 2025 8:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Events, Fort Walton Beach, News, Okaloosa County, Wildlife In Brief: ๐ 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. ๐ฏ Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]
Troop 544 Honored for Rescuing Missing Child in Fort Walton

Troop 544 Honored for Rescuing Missing Child in Fort Walton Staff Reports May 21, 2025 1:09 pm Uncategorized In Brief: ๐งญ Scouts from Troop 544 helped locate a missing 11-year-old autistic child near Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach on April 7. ๐ Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon presented the troop with a proclamation recognizing […]
Okaloosa County to Host Second Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 3

Okaloosa County will hold its second annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 3 in Shalimar to help residents prepare for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Okaloosa to Do “Deeper Audit” After Letter From Chairman

Is Okaloosa County wasting taxpayer money? Commissioners weigh in as the county freezes hiring and undergoes an internal auditโsome welcome the scrutiny, while others say itโs unnecessary and frustrating.
Your City’s Christmas Lists For The State Government Are Out Now – Here’s What They Asked For – And If We’re On The Naughty or Nice List.

Local leaders presented over $47 million in funding requests to the legislative delegation. Here’s what your city asked for:
Experts Say THIS Will Bring BIG $ to Okaloosa, But Commissioners Just Pulled it From Their Annual Wishlist

The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously to remove a $1.5 million funding request for the sinking of the historic SS United States as an artificial reef off Destin from its legislative priorities, citing economic concerns and public optics despite projections of significant tourism revenue.