Here's a roundup of this week's news
Pensacola for Public Power
A local grassroots group, Pensacola for Public Power, is urging the City to fund a feasibility study to potentially shift to locally-provided energy after many local residents have complained of high rate hikes from Florida Power and Light.
Honoring Willie Carter
In recognition of Black History Month, Escambia County honored bus driver of 47 years, Willie Carter, by displaying his image on one of their buses. They surprised him with the unveiling earlier this week.
Pensacon Weekend
Today begins the three-day pop-culture extravaganza, Pensacon in downtown Pensacola. WUWF's Bob Barrett interviewed some of the celebrity guests including Michael Rooker, Marta Kristen, Ethan Embry, and Lou Ferrigno, who stopped by the WUWF studios.
StoryCorps is here
The StoryCorps airstream has made its way to Pensacola and recordings have begun inside The Spring Entrepreneur Hub. WUWF's Sandra Averhart spoke with Natasha Herring of StoryCorps Thursday for the kick-off of their Pensacola stop. You can make reservations by visiting wuwf.org/storycorps. Listen:
In state news...
Florida House approves a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks
Florida is preparing to pass a ban on most abortionsafter 15 weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of incest or rape. The House passed the billjust after midnighton Thursday after hours of debate.
The state failed to pay health claims for sick children for three months
In this piece from Fresh Take Florida, a look at how a computer glitch led to stopped payments on care for some of the neediest, sickest children.
Gender, sexual orientation bill goes to full house
A controversial House bill that would restrict school instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation advanced with changes Thursday, as critics slammed the measure as being overly broad and discriminatory.
And...
U.S. Senate avoids government shutdown...for now
The Senate voted 65-27 Thursday evening to approve a stop-gap spending bill to fund the government through March 11.
The short-term punt is intended to buy lawmakers time to work out a more all-encompassing spending agreement that would fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.