Emerald Coast Florida

Eglin Drone Failures Put Anduril Under the Microscope Staff Reports November 28, 2025 10:55 am Aviation, Eglin Air Force Base, Military In Brief: Anduril’s Altius and Ghost drones suffered multiple crashes during testing at Eglin Air Force Base and other military exercises, contradicting the company’s public claims of reliability and battlefield success. Military personnel, former employees, and Ukrainian operators report ongoing technical issues — including susceptibility to jamming and mechanical malfunctions — despite the company’s rapid growth and soaring valuation. The failures highlight broader challenges facing U.S. defense manufacturers as modern warfare shifts toward cheap, expendable drones and rapid development cycles. Two military drones built by Anduril Industries — the defense-tech startup backed by Silicon Valley billions — crashed during Air Force testing at Eglin Air Force Base this month, highlighting persistent gaps between the company’s public confidence and its real-world performance. According to sources familiar with the tests, one of the company’s Altius drones plunged roughly 8,000 feet straight into the ground after being launched from an aircraft. A second Altius spiraled down in a separate test shortly afterward. Air Force Special Operations Command confirmed the testing occurred but declined to release details. The mishaps come at a time when Anduril’s valuation has soared to $30.5 billion, tripling since late 2022 as drones reshape modern warfare and the Pentagon seeks faster, cheaper options for the battlefield. Public Promises vs. Test-Range Results Anduril founder Palmer Luckey — who has styled the company as a disruptive alternative to traditional defense contractors...

Tourism Pumps $133B Into Florida Economy Staff Reports November 28, 2025 9:00 am State Government, Tourism, Travel In Brief: Tourism generated $133.6 billion in economic impact in 2024, supporting 1.8 million jobs and generating $33.6 billion in tax revenue. Visitor spending reached $134.9 billion, with 99 cents of every dollar staying in Florida’s economy. Florida households saved nearly $2,000 each thanks to tourism-driven state and local tax revenue. Florida’s tourism engine delivered a powerful economic surge in 2024, bringing in more than $133.6 billion in statewide economic impact and saving Florida households nearly $2,000 each in annual taxes, according to new data released by VISIT FLORIDA. The findings come from the 2024 Economic & Fiscal Impact of Tourism in Florida report, produced by Rockport Analytics and released this week. The annual study measures how visitor spending—and the jobs it supports—ripples through Florida’s economy. This year’s report shows tourism once again served as one of the state’s most important economic pillars. Florida Breaks Tourism Records—Again The study confirms that 143 million visitors came to Florida in 2024, setting a new all-time record and continuing a multiyear streak of growth. Out-of-state travelers spent $134.9 billion last year, a 3% increase over 2023. Domestic tourism made up the lion’s share of those dollars—$120.1 billion—while international travelers contributed $14.8 billion, reflecting ongoing recovery in long-haul travel markets. One of the most significant findings in the report is how efficiently Florida retains visitor spending. For every $1 spent by a tourist, 99 cents remained in...

Walton Commissioners Recognize Chair for Service and Leadership Steven Saul November 27, 2025 4:17 pm Walton County In Brief: Veteran & outgoing Chair Donna Johns (District 4) is recognized for her 2025 leadership and presented a ceremonial gavel. Commissioners unanimously elect Brad Drake (District 3) as 2026 Chair and Tony Anderson (District 5) as Vice Chair The five-member Walton County BCC rotates leadership annually while overseeing dozens of regional boards and committees With the year-end approaching comes the “passing of the gavel” for the Chair of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC).  During 2025, Donna Johns served as the Chairwoman for the County Commission.  The BCC meets twice per month, with one meeting taking place in the County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs and the other in the South Walton Annex Building. The Board is elected by the people and “serves as the legislative branch of county government.”  Each of the five Commissioners representing the county must reside in the district they represent.  Every year, the commissioners elect a chair and vice chair to serve for a full year term.  This year, Chair Donna Johns (District 4) said that “the year flew by very quickly.”   Johns is a veteran who served for two decades in the U.S. Air Force.  She is recognized as having attended and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI).  She was presented with a gavel in appreciation for her service to the County as Chair for the BCC by the Vice Chair, Dan...

DeSantis Moves to Shut Down Puppy Mills in Florida Staff Reports November 26, 2025 1:21 pm Business, Pets, State Government In Brief: Who: Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation What: Announcement of a proposal to protect dogs and crack down on unethical breeders When: November 25, 2025 Where: Loxahatchee, Florida Why: To stop abusive puppy mills, support overwhelmed shelters, and strengthen animal cruelty laws LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced a wide-ranging proposal Monday aimed at tackling abusive puppy mills, strengthening oversight of dog breeders, and expanding animal welfare protections across the state. The plan pairs new regulatory authority with increased penalties and reforms designed to reduce cruelty, improve shelter conditions, and give residents more tools to report mistreatment. Speaking at an event in Loxahatchee alongside leaders from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, DeSantis said the proposal would introduce the most significant state-level oversight of dog breeding Florida has ever had. Under the initiative, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) would develop and enforce licensing requirements for breeders—authority the state has not previously exercised in a unified way. “In Florida, we will always fight to protect man’s best friend,” DeSantis said. “The proposal we announced today will end unethical puppy mills, hold accountable abusive breeders, and help shelter dogs find loving homes.” Statewide Licensing and Standards for Dog Breeders A centerpiece of the proposal is the requirement that all dog...

Thanksgiving restaurant openings in Okaloosa, Walton counties In Brief: Enjoy a Thanksgiving at local restaurants on the Emerald Coast. Whether you want to give friends and family a taste of what the Emerald Coast has to offer, or you burned the turkey and need to find your backup plan. We here at Mid Bay News have got you covered. Here is a list of every restaurant we could find that will be open on Thanksgiving. Did we miss one? Please email us at news@midbaynews.com. What’s open in Destin? Harbor Docks will host their 31st annual Thanksgiving Feast, benefiting Emerald Coast Food Rescue and Food for Thought. The event will be free for all attendees and will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village will host a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 12-4 p.m. Seatings are at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by clicking here. Meals are $65 per adult, and children aged 3-12 eat for $32.  Staci’s on the Beach will host a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy three specials. Reservations can be made online by clicking here. Tailfins Waterfront Grill will host a traditional Thanksgiving menu all day. The Crab Trap in Destin will host Thanksgiving on the Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy slow-roasted turkey with pan gravy, cornbread dressing, and homemade candied sweet potatoes. Adults can eat for $38.99, while children can eat for...