Escambia County Looking for Volunteers for Extension Council

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Escambia County is looking for volunteers. The Board of County Commissioners is seeking residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Extension Council for zones one through twelve. Council members help shape Extension programs and advocate for agricultural and community education efforts. If you're interested, submit an information sheet by Friday, December 19th at 5 p.m. The council meets four to six times a year, and members serve two-year terms. For more information, visit the UF/IFAS Escambia Extension website.

Watson Firm Giving Out 1,000 Turkey Dinners for Thanksgiving Tomorrow

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Watson Firm is giving back to the Pensacola community this Thanksgiving. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, they're hosting their annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. Local businesses and entrepreneurs are joining in to help. The tradition started back in 2017 with just 200 families—now it's grown dramatically. This year, they're preparing complete turkey dinners for the first 1,000 families who show up. It's a generous way to make sure neighbors in need have something to be thankful for this holiday.

Northwest Florida Lawmakers Push Back on Air Force Plan to Relocate Special Ops Wing

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Northwest Florida leaders are pushing back against the U.S. Air Force’s plan to relocate the 492nd Special Operations Wing from Hurlburt Field and Duke Field to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The move would shift roughly 600 jobs and require new hangars and infrastructure to support the unit.

Congressman Jimmy Patronis, along with Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, has sent a letter to the Department of the Air Force questioning the decision. Lawmakers say the relocation could weaken national security by moving Special Operations personnel farther from the Caribbean, where they argue tensions are increasing.

The Air Force first announced the proposal in 2023, citing mission effectiveness and cost efficiency. Patronis, however, says the financial impact is still unclear. He is asking the Air Force to detail the full cost of relocating the wing and whether the investment is the best use of taxpayer dollars. Officials have 30 days to respond.

Patronis also points to the effect on servicemembers and families who have built their lives in Northwest Florida. Local leaders say uprooting hundreds of highly trained personnel could cause significant disruption and question whether the move aligns with current strategic needs.

Patronis says he wants more transparency and a clearer explanation of the Air Force’s reasoning before the relocation moves forward.