Apr 30, 2025
Out and About
Last week I was writing about my critics and this week I started scanning pages of one hundred-year-old copies of the Milton Gazette, which is now the Santa Rosa Press Gazette. I found the following printed on May 1, 1925 – which could have been my column last week – just said in a different way…
Apr 30, 2025
Innocent until proven guilty?
The Ibis Road and Makaira Ridge debacle in Milton has spotlighted deeper issues on our county commissioners board.
Apr 28, 2025
Brian Out Loud
It’s easy to focus on the athletic talent of an athlete. But don’t ignore what they do in the classroom either.
There are a ton of athletes who get the job done on and off the court, not only locally at the high school level, but when they go off to college as well.
There are a ton of athletes who get the job done on and off the court, not only locally at the high school level, but when they go off to college as well.
Apr 23, 2025
For God’s Sake
I used to make my living as a professional guitarist, and there is a universally shared experience among guitarists who have played in bands. At some point in your performance, someone is going to shout out, “Freebird! Freebird!” For those who don’t know, Freebird is a song by the southern-rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and it features several iconic guitar solos. I have heard that request often and most of my 6-string colleagues have as well. For the many times we’ve been asked to play the song, you’d think that we would take the time to learn it. I never have, and neither have any of my guitar playing friends. Perhaps, deep down, we fear that, were we to play it, we would be disrupting a long-established order of things.
Apr 23, 2025
Out and About
When we have mistakes in the paper, I not only hear about it from the general public, I also get called into the kitchen by my husband – usually about my column. A couple weeks ago, one of our writers called me to tell me there was something wrong with my explanation of what was going on with tariffs. It turned out I was correct. At least our team feels free to always look out for the paper’s integrity, even if they have to approach me about a mistake, or five. I’m not beyond making mistakes.
Apr 23, 2025
P25 encrypted emergency communication system: A double-edged sword for public transparency and journalism
Emergency communication systems are critical for public safety, enabling swift coordination among first responders during crises. Over the years, technological advancements have made these systems more efficient, reliable, and secure. One such innovation is the P25 (Project 25) communication system—a suite of standards designed to ensure interoperability among various public safety agencies while prioritizing encrypted communication for enhanced security. While encryption undoubtedly bolsters the confidentiality of sensitive operations, it also raises significant concerns for journalists and advocates of government transparency.
Apr 21, 2025
Brian Out Loud
With all the talent Florida produces from an athletic standpoint, you’d think coaches here were some of the highest paid in the nation.
Think again. Florida coaches are underpaid, a lot of times underappreciated, and in most instances, overworked. Coaches in surrounding states tend to make more.
Think again. Florida coaches are underpaid, a lot of times underappreciated, and in most instances, overworked. Coaches in surrounding states tend to make more.
Apr 17, 2025
For God’s Sake
“It’s your favorite day today!” my wife said cheerily to me first thing this morning. “It is!” I responded with equal cheer, “the best day of the week!” What day might that be, some of you are perhaps wondering. Well, it’s trash day!
Apr 17, 2025
A time of renewal
For Christians around the world, Easter represents a time of renewal, and a time of remembrance of the death of Jesus and his resurrection. However you choose to celebrate Easter, whether it is in Church or in your backyard hunting for Easter eggs or both, we at Navarre Press wish you a day of renewal. Consider it perhaps a transfiguration of sorts; a shedding of whatever is old and stale and an embrace of new things, habits and ideas. We can all use that in our life, no matter your belief.
Apr 17, 2025
Out and About
My column this week may be considered “religious,” but I’m going to be as factual as possible and even include a historian who was a Jew, but didn’t necessarily believe Jesus was the prophesied messiah.