Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2018

Florida’s primary elections had some shockers, none more so than the surprise win of Andrew Gillum in the Democratic primary for Governor. Further down the ticket, in the Republican primary for Escambia County’s state House District 1, there was another big upset: Former state Rep. Mike Hill’s 3-point victory over rising GOP star Rebekah Bydlak. […]

Associated PressOctober 17, 2017

A 325-pound (150-kilogram) Florida woman is charged with killing her 9-year-old cousin by sitting on the child as punishment. Veronica Green Posey, 64, was arrested and charged with homicide and cruelty toward a child, The Pensacola News Journal reported. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report identified Posey as the girl’s cousin. Paramedics and deputies responded to […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 23, 2017

Representative Frank White filed a new ‘Safe Families bill’ Monday morning, which would set up provisions for what to do with children in need of a place to go, but who do not necessarily need the foster care system. The bill, HB 363, will authorize qualified nonprofit organizations to establish programs for temporary respite for children […]

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2016

A Panhandle newspaper is reporting state Rep. Mike Hill is being investigated for homestead exemption fraud. The South Santa Rosa News reported Wednesday that Hill, a Pensacola Beach Republican, was the subject of an active investigation by the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office. The investigation relates to an allegation of “fraudulently claiming homestead exemption for a house he owns […]

Shannon NickinsonMay 21, 2016

For good or ill, the world the today’s kindergartners will graduate into demands more of them than it did of their parents. Florida’s antidote to that was supposed to be free preschool for every 4-year-old in the state. The voter-approved initiative that launched voluntary prekindergarten said the program should be “voluntary, high quality, free and […]

Shannon NickinsonMay 9, 2016

A child’s work is play, the saying goes. Which is why adults are always trying to sneak learning into places where kids are already having fun. That’s part of the theory behind the Story Walk at Bryan Park in Northeast Pensacola. The park is built around the Tryon Branch of the West Florida Regional Public […]

Gary FineoutMay 7, 2016

A charter school management company which has operated schools statewide was indicted this week by a Florida Panhandle grand jury, accused of fraudulently billing a charter school for supplies, equipment and services. The charges of grand theft, money laundering and aggravated white collar crime were announced Thursday by State Attorney Bill Eddins against the management […]

Shannon NickinsonApril 5, 2016

Sometimes it’s not about having all the answers — it’s about knowing where to go to find them. The Golden Apple roundtable is a gathering of teachers of the year from Escambia Schools. It’s a forum where the best and brightest minds on the front lines of education in Escambia County get together to share […]

Associated PressMarch 28, 2016

Some residents of the Florida Panhandle who sustained damage during two tornadoes that touched down in February will not receive individual assistance through FEMA. The Pensacola News Journal reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state’s request for individual assistance for residents, including low-interest loans, grants and temporary housing assistance. Florida officials have […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott announced the governor’s office would pitch in $50,000 in state funds to help with relief efforts in three Florida counties damaged by recent tornadoes. The money – administered through Volunteer Florida, the governor’s commission on volunteerism and service – will be matched by local authorities for a total of $100,000 overall for Escambia, Santa Rosa, […]

Tag: Escambia County

Mike Hill’s comeback bid needed every trick in the book

325-pound woman charged with killing girl by sitting on her

Frank White’s ‘Safe Families’ bill would let volunteer families help out children when their parents can’t

Report: Mike Hill under investigation for homestead exemption fraud

Shannon Nickinson: Florida’s 4-year-olds need more friends in high places

Shannon Nickinson: Program takes aim at kids’ weight, readiness for kindergarten

Florida grand jury indicts charter school management company

Shannon Nickinson: Communities need to make sure kids are ready for kindergarten

Panhandle residents denied FEMA assistance

Rick Scott announces $100k in tornado disaster relief for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Charlotte