University of West Florida Selects Manny Diaz as President

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The University of West Florida Board of Trustees voted Thursday to select Manny Diaz as the university's next president. Diaz served as interim president for more than six months and was the only finalist considered for the permanent position. His approval carries an annual salary of six-hundred-seventy-four thousand dollars plus nearly three-hundred thousand in benefits, pending approval by the board of governors. Board Chair Rebecca Matthews says Diaz hit the ground running from day one. Faculty Senate President Dr. Heather Riddell cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about the selection process with only one finalist from eighty-four applicants. Diaz responded to recent concerns about his ties to charter schools, saying his relationships benefit the university. He also announced UWF is pursuing a branding plan and expects logo improvements soon.

Amtrak Adds Extra Coach Car for Mardi Gras Season

Mobile, AL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Amtrak is adding an extra coach car to trains between Mobile and New Orleans for Mardi Gras season. The additional capacity begins today and runs through Monday, February 23rd. The bonus car will be added to trains twenty-three and twenty-six on all four itineraries. Train 23 departs Mobile for New Orleans daily at 6:30 a.m., and train 26 departs New Orleans for Mobile at 5:31 p.m. The Southern Rail Commission requested the extra capacity at a December meeting. Officials say the Mardi Gras Service is earning the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Amtrak line in the United States. Amtrak says the service is on track to double its original customer estimate since launching in August.

STANDOFF IN FERRY PASS ENDS

Escambia County deputies were working a standoff in the area at Sandpiper and Hencye Dr. off of Nine Mile road that involved the SWAT team. Deputies answered a criminal mischief call earlier this morning for a man hitting a stop sign with a baseball bat. When officers arrived, the man ran inside a home and refused to come out, according to the sheriff's office. The situation has been resolved and the suspect has been taken into custody.