Emerald Coast Florida

City Leaders Clash as Taxpayer Protection Measure Draws New Criticism Tricia Elliott February 12, 2026 11:33 am Fort Walton Beach, Government In Brief: Who: Fort Walton Beach City Council, City Manager Jason Davis, and city staff What: A contentious presentation on the impacts of the voter-approved 3% operating budget cap When: Tuesday night, after six months under the cap Where: Fort Walton Beach City Council chambers Why: City leaders argue the cap is increasing costs, cutting services, and driving employee losses—while critics say revisiting it overturns voter will FORT WALTON BEACH — What sounded like a simple promise to protect taxpayers is now being described by city leadership as a financial disaster waiting to happen, but not everyone agrees.  A presentation to the Fort Walton Beach City Council on Tuesday by staff shows the voter-approved 3% cap on city operations is not saving money — instead, the same officials say it is driving up costs, shrinking services, and pushing experienced employees out the door. City Manager Jason Davis outlined the findings after six months of operating under the cap, calling the results “counterintuitive” and warning that the policy is creating an inefficient, reactive form of government.   Councilmembers’ responses to the presentation were mixed.  Councilmember David Schmidt said the council’s thoughts on the 3% cap didn’t really matter, because it was going to go in front of the voters soon anyway.  The minority view, presented by firebrand Councilmember T. Payne Walker, was consistent: he believes the council’s decision to put...

Riley Green Mustache You A Question: Will You Be My Valentine? “If you wanna know the truth, it’s killin’ me not holdin’ you right now.”– Riley Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do” Country artist Riley Green is a man of many talents… He can sing, act, and can even hunt. Throw in his iconic mustache, More Country Music Nation 

Luke Combs’ New Album, The Way I Am, Will Be Released In March – See The Tracklist Now February 11 was a good day for Luke Combs‘ fans, because that’s the day he dropped the entire tracklist for his upcoming album, The Way I Am. In early January, a mysterious countdown appeared on Combs’ website. More Country Music Nation 

Eglin Tightens Security With a Sweeping Dash Cam Ban Staff Reports February 12, 2026 9:32 am Eglin Air Force Base, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Eglin Air Force Base leadership and all drivers entering the installation What: Prohibition of dash cameras and vehicle recording devices When: Enforcement begins March 1, 2026 Where: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Why: To strengthen operational security and protect personnel, assets, and national defense capabilities EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — A new operational security policy at Eglin Air Force Base will soon prohibit the use of dash cameras and other vehicle-mounted recording devices on the installation, a move base leadership says is necessary to protect personnel, assets, and national defense missions. The policy, signed by the 96th Test Wing commander in December 2025, applies to all privately owned vehicles entering the base. Beginning March 1, drivers who refuse to comply with the policy may be denied access at base entry points. Under the new rules, owner-installed recording devices must be powered off and removed from view, while factory-installed or built-in vehicle cameras must be completely powered down before entering the installation. The policy also extends to motorcycles, requiring helmet-mounted cameras to be powered off and removed. Base officials say the restrictions are a critical layer of operational security, aimed at limiting the collection of sensitive imagery and information that could compromise military operations. “Defending the base is my top priority, and it takes all of Team Eglin to achieve this,” said Lt. Col. Michael Bruton,...

  There’s nothing quite like camping in Panama City Beach. Picture waking up to the sound of waves, spending your days exploring scenic trails, and gathering around a campfire under a sky full of stars, all just minutes from the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Whether you prefer pitching a classic tent,