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WMBB

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Officials discuss options as Amendment 3 looms for Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – During the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday event, some local officials used the podium as a chance to highlight projects taking place within their municipalities. But others used the time as a chance to address looming questions related to Amendment 3. “A lot of people keep asking, what’s […]

Jackson County, FL · 3d

getthecoast.com

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Destin Chamber named Chamber of the Year by state association

The Destin Chamber of Commerce has been named Chamber of the Year in the mid-sized chamber category by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. The award was presented Thursday, Nov. 5, during FACP’s 2026 Annual Conference, held Nov. 4-6 at the Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection in Sarasota. The...

Destin, FL · 17h
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beachcomberdestin.com

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Fort Walton Beach announces Veterans Day ceremony and city closures as city prepares to honor more than 2,000 fallen veterans on Nov. 11

Fort Walton Beach, Florida – Fort Walton Beach will mark Veterans Day with flags at more than 2,000 veterans’ graves and a community ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Residents attending can bring a small bouquet to help build a shared tribute to those buried there. The observance falls...

Fort Walton Beach, FL · 13h
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gcaptain.com

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SS United States Set for Final Voyage Ahead of Historic Sinking Off Florida

The historic SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, is scheduled to leave Mobile, Alabama, on Monday for its final voyage before being intentionally sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week. The 990-foot vessel is scheduled to become the world’s largest artificial reef when...

Okaloosa County, FL · 22h
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WJHG-TV

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Harrison Avenue in downtown Panama City wins Florida people’s choice award

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Harrison Avenue in downtown Panama City has been named the winner of the 2026 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, according to the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association. The downtown corridor received the most votes among four finalists in the program’s...

Panama City, FL · 3d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

1976 time capsule unsealed in Panama City

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Back in 1976, workers at Southern Bell Phone Company buried a time capsule at their Downtown Panama City building, located on East 5th Street, between Luverne and Magnolia Avenues. Thursday, members of the Central Panhandle Pioneer Club dug up the capsule. “This capsule was buried in November 5, 1976 to […]

Panama City, FL · 4d

WJHG-TV

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Florida Seafood Festival returns to Apalachicola for 63rd year

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Florida Seafood Festival kicked off Friday, bringing local food, entertainment, and a celebration of Franklin County’s culture to Apalachicola for its 63rd year. Located at Battery Park in downtown Apalachicola, visitors can enjoy seafood and other festival favorites while taking in a tradition...

Apalachicola, FL · 3d

WJHG-TV

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Bay & Walton counties plan for revenue loss after Amendment 3 passes

Florida voters approved Amendment 3, a tax break for some homeowners, and Bay and Walton counties are preparing to operate with millions of dollars less in revenue.

Bay County, FL · 5d

Panama City News Herald

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Amendment 3 might force millions in Bay County budget cuts

PANAMA CITY − Bay County Manager Joel Schubert said that while local officials support property tax reform, there's no denying Amendment 3 will spark significant budget adjustments for local governments. Amendment 3 was approved by Florida voters in the 2026 general election. Here's what we know about the amendment and how it could affect Bay County: What is Amendment 3? Amendment 3 was designed to reduce property taxes for many Florida homeowners by increasing the homestead exemption. It raises the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and then $250,000 in 2028. This means a larger portion of a primary residence's assessed value is exempt from taxes, lowering tax bills for homeowners with homesteaded properties. "The county's position is that we have absolutely responsible property tax reform, and that hasn't changed," Schubert said. "The voters across the state and particularly in Bay County obviously agreed with that. ... What does it mean for us? "It doesn't change the fact that we have a five-year strategic plan, and certainly the reductions in property taxes over the next two years ... need to be addressed." What was the voter breakdown? According to USA TODAY, more than 4.917 million Floridians, or about 62%, voted

Bay County, FL · 5d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

FSU InSPIRE breaks ground on Bay County site

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Construction on 23 acres near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport broke ground on Monday. It’s going to be the future home of FSU InSPIRE’s aerospace research and advanced manufacturing facility. The St. Joe Company donated the land just south of Northwest Florida Beaches Airport to InSPIRE for their new facility. […]

Bay County, FL · 4d

WJHG-TV

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Bay County fifth graders reel in lessons at school fishing event

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Fifth graders at A. Gary Walsingham Academy traded the classroom for the school’s ponds during the first fishing event of the year. “Reel Learning the Wahoo Way” gave students a chance to learn outdoors while practicing how to cast a fishing line. They also put their math skills to use by measuring their catches.

Bay County, FL · 3d

washingtoncounty.news

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Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Rallies Businesses Behind JB’s 100-Turkey Thanksgiving Gift as 61% of County Households Struggle to Cover the Basics

Drive-thru giveaway set for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Jackson County 1st Credit Union. Jackson County 1st Credit Union, Spanish Trail Farms, Perry & Young Attorneys at Law and Maranta Copy Co are the first to join, with $500 each. Chase and Joseph Besczezynski of JB’s...

Jackson County, FL · 3d

WJHG-TV

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New FSU Health hospital under construction in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A new hospital is under construction in Panama City Beach as development and growth continue in Bay County, along with the need for more access to health care. The hospital is set to open in 2028. The first phase will have up to 180...

Panama City Beach, FL · 5d

WMBB

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Ironman Florida participants arrive in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Athletes lined up Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Ironman Florida race to see what’s available in Ironman Village. “This is the best part, that’s why I’m here so early, I can’t wait to get my bag, it’s my favorite part,” Ironman Participant Dana Leonard said. The village included an athlete […]

Panama City Beach, FL · 5d

Tallahassee Democrat

partner publisher · 40.7K followers

After California bombshell, Florida could have biggest death row in US

Yesterday, Florida had the second-most death row inmates after California, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent push to execute prisoners who have been on death row for decades. However, hours before Florida is set to execute Jesse Guardado for the 2004 stabbing and beating death of 75-year-old community activist Jackie Malone in Walton County, California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted all 548 California death sentences to life without the possibility of parole . "After nearly 30 years in public office, I have come to understand the limits of what government can justly accomplish," Newsom wrote in an open letter to Californians. "I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us. "I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency," he said. Newsom's term ends in January, but he is said to be considering a run for president in 2028. Newsom's move does not immediately commute all 529 men and 19 women in California. The California Supreme Court will have to decide whether to approve commutations for people

Florida · 4d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Holmes County rolls though Bozeman

BONIFAY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Holmes County Blue Devils defeated the Bozeman Bucks 26-6 in a rescheduled game on Wednesday. The Blue Devils move to 7-3 and await potential seeding. The Bucks fall to 3-7 and await potential seeding.

Panama City, FL · 5d

WJHG-TV

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Tricia Berry wins Florida House District 6 race

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Republican Tricia Berry has won the race for Florida House District 6, defeating Democrat Stephanie “Lyn” Leonard in Tuesday’s election. Berry, a nurse practitioner and Bay County business leader, will succeed outgoing state Rep. Griff Griffitts. District 6 covers the majority of Bay County, including Panama City and Panama City Beach.

Panama City, FL · 6d

Tampa Free Press TFP

partner publisher · 227.7K followers

From State Ward To Death Row: Florida Prepares To Execute Dozier School Survivor

Jesse Guardado(Florida Department of Corrections) A death row inmate who survived Florida’s notorious Dozier School...

Florida · 5d

WJHG-TV

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Seven Walton County Jail inmates graduate from construction program

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Seven men at the Walton County Jail graduated Wednesday morning from a six-week construction course aimed at preparing inmates for employment after incarceration. Led by an instructor known as “Mr. Mack,” the program taught hands-on building skills — with students completing two sheds and several...

Walton County, FL · 5d

Destin Log

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Destin takes step toward managing Holiday Isle land

The Destin City Council unanimously approved a proposed 50-year lease to manage a 3.9-acre state-owned parcel on Holiday Isle. The city must submit a management plan to the state for approval within 10 months of the lease's effective date. Proposed ideas for the property include extending a boardwalk, adding shade...

Destin, FL · 5d