Children’s Trust Put Off Six Months by City on Tax Exemption
The Escambia Children’s Trust is pushing back against property tax demands from the City of Pensacola, arguing that the nearly $10 million it already spends on children’s services within city limits—including $1.7 million directly to city programs—should warrant a complete tax exemption. Background: In June, the...
Orange Beach sued for alleged Open Meetings violation
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (NBC 15) — The City of Orange Beach, Mayor Tony Kennon and 4 of the five city council members are being sued for allegedly violating the Alabama Open Meetings Act for a special-called meeting in November 2025. The suit, filed by the Turquoise Place Condominiums Association,...
Cooking fire in Escambia County displaces residents, damages apartments
Video above: ‘News 5 Now’ — Top Stories from Dec. 15, 2025 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A cooking-related fire has damaged multiple units, leaving some residents displaced in Escambia County. According to a county news release, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a multi-residential structure fire on Saturday,...
Escambia County takes steps to safeguard homeless population
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Commissioners in Escambia County unanimously passed two ordinances to keep homeless individuals safer, with new enforcement on panhandling and camping on public property. In regard to panhandling, the commissioners voted to expand restrictions on where people can stand. The previous...
Angel nurse fills community gaps with compassion and dedication
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- There are many historical, literary, and cultural references to nurses as angels of mercy. They often see us through the most vulnerable moments in our lives. It was simple words from a nun that challenged one nurse to live up to the high calling of an Angel...
Northwest Florida law enforcement join holiday campaign against impaired driving
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida are joining a campaign focused on cracking down on drinking and driving. The Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County Sheriff's offices are joining in on the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative. Through Jan. 1, their deputies will be...
Pensacola residents rally to save heritage oak trees from removal plan at old Baptist...
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Pensacola residents are fighting back against the city's plan to cut down heritage oak trees at the old Baptist hospital property. Tree advocates say these towering oaks are a part of the city's identity. Some of them are hundreds of years old. Any day now, dozens of...
Pilot in fatal plane crash was picking up parachutes from Irvington, airport owner says
IRVINGTON, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office on Monday identified the pilot who died when his plane crashed Saturday. John Jenista had just taken off from Roy E. Ray Airport to return home to Florida’s Escambia County when the plane went down in a wooded area just south of the small airstrip. Robby...
Behind the Headlines: WSRE Foundation Lawsuit
—First-of-its-Kind Lawsuit Seeks Court Clarity on Donor Rights and Foundation Independence— The WSRE Foundation has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Pensacola State College, marking the first legal action of its kind in Florida as the foundation board fights to protect donor interests and preserve public media...
Council pauses Baptist redevelopment process after public backlash
Pensacola City Council on Thursday halted the city’s effort to move forward with a redevelopment advisory contract for the former Baptist Hospital campus, pulling the item from its agenda after hours of testimony warning that the process could accelerate displacement in nearby historically Black neighborhoods. The...
