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Private donors direct $200,000 to Polk arts groups hit by DeSantis' veto of state grants
Arts and cultural organizations in Florida are still reeling from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto last month of all funding for grants in the state budget. In response, local philanthropists have emerged to donate a combined $200,000 to seven organizations in Polk County. The anonymous donors directed the money through the GiveWell Community Foundation, said Daryl Ward, executive director of the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance. ...
Another book ban battle emerges in Florida, with high stakes for the First Amendment
Another legal battle has begun over Florida's book bans, with significant stakes, as the sued school district is launching a controversial defense that could shake First Amendment law nationwide. This case emerges in Florida's northeasternmost county, Nassau, wedged between Jacksonville and Georgia. ...
1 in 2 Florida households struggles to make ends meet, minorities find it even tougher
Nearly half of Florida households are employed but struggling to make ends meet, according to a report by United Way that highlights the financial pressures on Floridians. Based on data from the U.S. Census and Federal Reserve, researchers found that, of the 8.8 million households in the state, 4 million were either in poverty or unable to afford basic living costs in 2022, with many not qualifying for public assistance.
First Lady Casey DeSantis Hosts Cooking Class for Florida Youth in Foster Care
ORLANDO, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, joined by Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris and Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Dennis Moore, hosted a hands-on, healthy cooking class for Hope Florida mentors and mentees. The event showcased the partnership between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program, which has produced hundreds of mentorship pairings since it was launched in September 2023. More mentors are needed across the state of Florida for those youth aging out of the foster care system.
Scattered storms return this afternoon
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Good Thursday morning everyone!. It’s a slightly active start on radar with some showers wrapping up over Gulf and Franklin Counties. Later this morning we’ll see another batch of scattered showers and thunderstorms develop along the coast. They’ll turn into widely scattered showers and thunderstorms heading inland into the afternoon. Some may return to the coast in the evening.
Florida school board unlikely to fire mom whose transgender daughter played on girls volleyball team
PLANTATION, Fla. (AP) — A Florida school board appeared unlikely Tuesday to fire an employee whose transgender daughter played girls’ high school volleyball in alleged violation of state law, but postponed their final decision until next week. The board is in Broward, one of the state’s most politically...
Cheatle resigns after Florida rep calls for criminal, contempt charges
(The Center Square) – The director of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned on Tuesday after Democrats and Republicans called for her to step down or be fired for the agency’s failure to protect former President Donald Trump from a would-be assassin on July 13. Cheatle's resignation Tuesday came after U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, asked the chairman of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, to consider bringing criminal charges for perjury and contempt against her, saying she believes Cheatle...
Week-by-Week: The most exciting matchups for Bay County high school football in 2024
As the Florida high school football season is rapidly approaching and storylines begin to develop it is time that we look at which matchups for Bay County teams will have people talking and itching to attend this upcoming season. Week 1: Bozeman vs. Holmes County (Aug. 23) ...
Mexico Beach council members fired City Administrator over social media post
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Mexico Beach city council members fired City Administrator Chris Hubbard during their special meeting Tuesday evening. Council members and residents packed into Mexico Beach’s council room Tuesday to find out the fate of Hubbard. Hubbard was under fire for a message he posted on Facebook Sunday. The post started with […]
Proposed fundraising solution for road repairs in SweetBay area
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Panama City Commissioner proposed a creative solution to fund road repairs in the SweetBay area. On Tuesday, Commissioner Brian Grainger said roads such as Forest Park Circle, Candlewick Circle, and Venetian Villa are in need of repair. However, city funding and grants aren’t available for the project, so Grainger […]
Local candidates address top issues in debate for Bay County Sheriff position
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A number of local candidates got another chance to face off on Wednesday on the issues. The Panama City Kiwanis Club hosted a debate between the two candidates running for Bay County Sheriff. Local attorney and Kiwanis member Douge Smith moderated the forum between incumbent Tommy Ford and Challenger Andy […]
Bay District Schools proposes 2024-2025 budget changes
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Residents of Bay County will soon be able to see the new budget for Bay District schools. On Wednesday, the school board voted to advertise the tentative budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The proposed total budget is a little more than $672 million, about $20 million less than last […]
Ascension Sacred Heart welcomes new CEO and physical residency program
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital has a new CEO and a new program. They’ve started a physician residency program in hopes of attracting more doctors to the local area. This is a partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Walton County and the University of Florida. Ascension Sacred […]
Bay County woman arrested for the murder of her mother
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On Wednesday, a local woman was arrested in Bay County for admitting to killing her mother. Bay County deputies said they were dispatched to a suspicious person call showing a white female walking along Highway 231 appearing in distress. A patrol deputy was able to locate and make contact with […]
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