Sen. Don Gaetz weighs in on $83M state purchase of Norriego Point
Florida plans to spend $83 million to purchase four acres of waterfront land at Norriego Point in Destin for public park and marina use, a move praised by Okaloosa County officials but questioned by Sen. Don Gaetz over the high price compared with the county’s $10.5 million appraisal.
DeSantis Awards Law Enforcement Bonuses; Program Has Now Reached 9,400 Recruits
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state has awarded more than 9,400 law enforcement officers $5,000 recruitment bonuses since launching the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program in 2022.
At an event in Panama City, DeSantis presented checks to recruits from Bay, Franklin, Gulf, and Walton counties, highlighting the state’s continued push to recruit, reward, and retain law enforcement officers.
The Government Will Buy $80+ Million Worth of Beach Front in Destin. Is That A Good Thing?
Florida’s Cabinet approves a controversial $83 million land buy in Destin that could massively profit a felon developer with deep political ties, at the expense of local tax revenues.
Patt Maney Returns to Okaloosa County, Highlights Legislative Wins and New Committee Roles
Rep. Patt Maney returned to Okaloosa County after an extended legislative session in Tallahassee, where he highlighted more than $23 million in local funding secured, new state laws he helped pass, and his 2026 committee assignments, including chairing the Justice Budget Subcommittee.
Florida Appeals Court strikes down state’s open carry ban as unconstitutional
A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s open-carry ban, ruling it unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and setting up a new legal and legislative fight over gun rights.
Gallery: Seacoast Collegiate High School Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
Seacoast Collegiate High School, Florida’s oldest charter school, celebrated its new campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, offering students a unique path to earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree in partnership with Northwest Florida State College.
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.
‘People Are Screaming:’ New Florida Law Sows Chaos For Local Governments Land Development
DeFuniak Springs forges ahead with a major rewrite of its Land Development Code, navigating new state legislation that could delay its stricter regulations for years.
Niceville Student’s Mock Bill on Elderly Driving Retesting Draws Real-World Attention, Support from Grieving Family
A Niceville teen’s mock bill on senior driver testing, inspired by a tragic local crash, garners real-world support from a grieving family and state-level attention.
DeSantis Signs $115B Florida Budget; $87 Million Headed to Okaloosa and Walton Counties
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $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.
