Cherfilus-McCormick Addresses Allegations

(Washington, DC) -- Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick will fight what she calls an unjust, baseless sham indictment. The South Florida Democrat spoke yesterday in Washington, DC after she was indicted Wednesday. The Justice Department claims she used FEMA money for her 2021 campaign, but Cherfilus-McCormick says she's innocent. She also says her indictment is an intimidation tactic meant to distract from the Epstein files. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced yesterday Cherfilus-McCormick will step down from her leadership role on a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee.

Mission Next Center Opens in Milton as First-of-its-Kind Support Hub for Veterans, Service Members, and Families

The Florida Panhandle now has a first-of-its-kind resource hub for veterans and active-duty military families with today’s opening of the Mission Next Center at Pensacola State College’s Milton campus. The initiative, led by State Representative Michelle Salzman, aims to streamline access to services, support nonprofits, and ultimately reduce veteran suicide by intervening early when problems arise.

Salzman says the center has been three years in the making and was inspired by a visit to a military resource facility in Central Florida. At the time, she was traveling the state with the First Lady and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, holding listening sessions on veterans’ issues. Seeing how that Central Florida center operated, she immediately recognized the Panhandle’s need for something similar — but even more comprehensive.

“We have the largest military and veteran population in Florida right here,” she said during an interview on NewsRadio 92.3, “and we didn’t have anything like this in the Panhandle.”

A One-Stop Navigation System for Any Need

The Mission Next Center offers walk-in, phone, and online access. Anyone who reaches out — active-duty military, veterans, or family members — is assigned a dedicated case manager called a “Patriot Navigator.”

These navigators act much like social workers, opening a file for each person and connecting them with vetted service providers based on their specific needs. That could mean help with disability claims, wheelchair ramps, mental-health support, financial counseling, or even buying a car. Salzman says the center will also follow installation-specific protocols so that any advice given aligns with command guidance from NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and other partners.

Why Milton?

Although Pensacola already has some campus-based veteran resource offices, Santa Rosa County had none — something Salzman says was a major gap given its significant veteran population.

The Milton campus offered a large existing building with offices, a conference room, event

space, and outdoor areas. Crucially, Salzman wanted a location that nonprofits could access free of charge. The new center gives those groups a brick-and-mortar home to hold classes, conduct meetings, host fundraisers, or carry out direct services without needing their own dedicated facility.

A Data-Driven Effort to Prevent Suicide

Salzman said the center’s most important mission is preventing veteran suicide by addressing issues before they escalate. She emphasized that many suicides can be traced to a chain reaction: financial strain, housing trouble, medical needs, or unresolved paperwork that leaves a veteran feeling overwhelmed.

“It really does start with one tragedy after another,” she said. “The idea is to help people long before they reach that breaking point.”

The center will track requests, usage trends, and service gaps. For example, Salzman noted that if a hundred veterans request wheelchair ramps but only a handful organizations can provide them, that data will guide fundraising and resource allocation.

Funding Support for Nonprofits

A unique part of the Mission Next Center is its plan to raise money to help nonprofits expand their capacity. Salzman says organizations like equine therapy programs, which may offer life-changing support but operate on limited budgets, can apply for funding through the center if referrals exceed what they’re able to handle.

“We’ll be able to identify where the needs are, where nonprofits are over capacity, and then help fill those gaps,” she said.

Strong Military Buy-In

Today’s opening ceremony includes leadership from NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins — a level of involvement Salzman called encouraging. She recalled a recent meeting with NAS Pensacola’s commanding officer, known as “Mama San,” who immediately embraced the concept and insisted all area installations should participate.

A Model for the State — and Possibly the Nation

Salzman believes the Mission Next Center is unlike anything else in Florida, and possibly in the country, because it combines navigation services, data analytics, nonprofit support, and direct coordination with military commands. She hopes the Panhandle center will become a model for other regions.

“This is something we’ve needed for a long time,” she said. “And now we finally have it.”

The center’s grand opening was held at 9:30 a.m. at Pensacola State College’s Milton campus. Services begin immediately and are available to any active-duty member, veteran, or family member seeking help navigating the wide range of resources available in Northwest Florida.

OLD BAGDAD HIGHWAY REOPENED FOLLOWING POSSIBLE HIT-AND-RUN-UPDATED

A section of Old Bagdad Highway in Santa Rosa County has reopened after police investigated a possible hit-and-run fatality. The road was closed this morning between Galt City Road and Rice Road after a driver spotted a body on the shoulder. According to Florida Highway Patrol, someone noticed a shoe in the road, pulled over and found the victim. Previous to that, a possible red SUV was traveling eastbound on Old Bagdad Highway and was approaching Rice Road where the unidentified female pedestrian was walking along the southern shoulder of Old Bagdad Highway. The vehicle struck the female, then fled the scene. FHP is requesting anyone that have information concerning this traffic crash to contact Cpl. Durham at 850-484-5000.