News

Downtown Pensacola will be an even larger beehive of activity on Sept. 21, when the UWF Argonauts play their 2019 football home opener against Virginia-Lynchburg. WUWF’s Dave Dunwoody looks at a new study by the Haas Business Center on the games’ economic impact.

When the Argonauts took the field at Bayfront Stadium for the five home games in 2018, they generated a total of $9.7 million in sales throughout Escambia County, according to Amy Newburn at the Haas Center. The report, she says, contains multiple types of inputs.

It’s been 15 years since Hurricane Ivan changed the landscape of northwest Florida. Back in 2004, Tom Ninestine was the Metro Editor of the Pensacola News Journal. Today, Tom is the Managing Editor here at WUWF. He recently sat down with a couple of colleagues who were working with him at the PNJ when the storm hit. This is part one of their conversation 

Pensacola City Councilwoman Sherri Myers has been a consistent advocate for environmental change. When she initially pushed for the formation of a climate change task force five years ago, she met some pushback.

“[Climate change] was not a very popular word politically for public officials to talk about, but now that atmosphere is completely changed,” Myers said.

Some small patients with big medical needs got a major investment this week. WUWF’s Bob Barrett reports. “Today we’re here to celebrate a generous contribution of $2.5 million for our children and their families that we serve,” said Carol Carlan, president of the Sacred Heart Foundation. “And in recognition of that, it’s our honor and privilege to name the region’s only level 3 NICU, neonatal intensive care unit, after Pediatrix Medical Group.”

On a bipartisan vote of 248-180, the U.S. House Wednesday passed a measure that would outlaw oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. WUWF’s Dave Dunwoody reports House Resolution 205 now goes to the Senate.

“If drilling off of Florida is going to be the only thing that’s going to keep us from having high energy prices and a reliance on foreign energy, I don’t know why that hadn’t [sic] happened yet,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) on the House Floor. “Right now, we are not drilling off the coast of Florida, and we are energy-dominant in the world.”

Keep Pensacola Beautiful is seeking to trigger a revival of North Palafox Street in the downtown area by purchasing and restoring the old Hygeia Coca Cola Bottling Company building.

The non-profit organization has big plans for the historic building, but needs community support to make it happen.

Five months after a multi-faceted, multi-agency summit on homelessness in Pensacola, very little concrete solutions have emerged. But some work is continuing behind the scenes.

According to Waterfront Rescue Mission, roughly 800 people – men, women and children – are homeless in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties at any one time.

“We met with [Escambia] County at the end of August, and we have a fairly good meeting over there,” said Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson. “I think we’re still coming down to the position of what we can do.”

If you’re browsing the Web to find that next furry addition to your family, the Better Business Bureau advises you to watch out for scams that are popping up online.

Unlike other stings that involve money, property, or merchandise, this “puppy scam” is pulling at the heartstrings of many – because, says the BBB’s Tammy Ward, someone really wanting an animal who goes online could lose thousands of dollars – and end up empty-handed.

Students at the University of West Florida have a new layer of security on campus this year, and it’s right at their fingertips.

Keep Pensacola Beautiful has teamed up with First City Art Center to present Pieces Adrift: an art show and silent auction this Saturday, Sept. 7.

The featured art pieces have been created using litter from in and around the waters of Escambia County.

Season four of University of West Florida football kicks off this evening against Carson-Newman in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The Argonauts are picked to finish fourth in the Gulf South Conference preseason coaches' poll.

“I love our team; we’ve really spent a lot of time getting to know each other but also a  lot of time figuring out who can do what,” said UWF Head Coach Pete Shinnick. “Every head coach will tell you, ‘first game, and now let’s go see what we’ve got.’ And I’m excited to see what we’ve got.”

The 850 area code is running out of numbers, and that means changes are coming to the way most of us make local phone calls. A public hearing is set for Friday in Tallahassee to answer questions about the coming change in the 850 LATA, which stands for Local Access and Transport Area. That’s communications-speak for a local calling area.

Hurricane Dorian’s full impact on Florida’s east coast has yet to be felt, but agencies from across the state – including the Panhandle – are gearing up to help.

An engine company from the Pensacola Fire Department is among the vehicles being deployed to potential trouble areas. Chief Ginny Cranor says they’re assisting with Dorian recovery by contributing to one of the Engine Strike Teams pre-staged around the state as part of the State Emergency Response Plan.