The prolonged dry spell settling over the Florida Panhandle may feel unprecedented to residents, but a National Weather Service meteorologist said drought conditions like these are a well-documented feature of the region’s spring climate.

Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting a quieter-than-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2026, citing an expected shift to El Niño conditions as the primary driver of the subdued outlook.

The Santa Rosa County School Board voted April 2 to table a proposed student ID card policy after members raised concerns about child safety, data security and the burden the cards could place on low-income families.

The policy would authorize the district to issue ID cards to students districtwide and require students to scan the cards when boarding a school bus, paying for lunch, checking out library books and logging into classroom computers.

The Santa Rosa County School District has devised a temporary, cost-neutral transportation plan to help families navigate the split grade-level transition to Soundside High School, Superintendent Karen Barber told the school board April 2.

Santa Rosa County broke ground April 8 on a new wastewater treatment plant at Milton Interchange Park, launching a $30.2 million infrastructure project officials say will unlock years of stalled economic growth in the East Milton area.

A new internal report by Northwest Florida State College obtained by the Crestview News Bulletin says the college improperly stored more than 170 pounds of live medications, including controlled substances such as morphine, fentanyl and a paralytic drug, in its School of Nursing building for an unknown period.

The Santa Rosa County Commission will consider adopting an ordinance on Tuesday that would allow automated speed detection cameras in school zones across the county, a measure that could result in $100 fines for drivers caught exceeding school zone speed limits by more than 10 mph.

Doug Chico didn’t plan to run for Congress. The 35-year-old Navy veteran and sixth-generation Northwest Florida native said he’d rather spend more time with his family. But a local surveillance camera rollout last fall set him on a path to challenge incumbent Rep. Jimmy Patronis in the August Republican primary for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.