Good morning, Pensacola.

The Pensacola News Journal reported on April 1 that new palm trees have been planted on Palafox, Casey's gas stations will soon open and Keyla Richardson is pursuing her American Idol journey, offering locals a roundup of missed updates.

NASA's Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, both naval aviators with Pensacola roots, trained locally before the four-person crew's historic ten-day moon journey.

They connected with local students and visited the Naval Aviation Museum to honor the community's aviation heritage.

Raising Cane's is planning to expand in Florida with an approved new restaurant in Pensacola at 5100 N.

Ninth Ave - replacing a former Red Lobster. Opening dates have not been announced as details remain pending.

Florida saw gas prices jump overnight as the state average reached $4.219 on April 1 while Pensacola recorded a lower price at $3.825, according to AAA; experts point to high oil costs amid ongoing conflict (with Iran) affecting supply.

Pensacola residents must file their 2025 tax return or request an extension by midnight April 15 to avoid penalties (up to 25% extra) and extend their deadline to Oct.

15. Free filing help is available via IRS Free File and local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites.

Baptist Hospital was named to the Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list with a four-star rating for clinical excellence, quality outcomes and patient-centered care (reflecting 75 years of local commitment).

It joins other recent awards by Baptist Health Care.

The Blue Wahoos are set to begin their season on Friday at 6:05 p.m. with a new $2M batting cage boosting player training and upgraded fan spaces (a redesigned lobby and expanded party deck) for a closer view of the action.

Pensacola's Ice Flyers set a season attendance record with 168,493 fans, marking four straight years of growth at the Hangar during numerous sellout events.

Their first home playoff game starts April 10, with further schedule details to follow.

Transformation Church's Easter Egg Hunt

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Pensacola Interstate Fair — Free entry — Enjoy family-friendly carnival games and age-specific egg hunting zones for children nursery aged to 5th grade.

Free Yoga at Bayview Park

9:30-10:30 a.m. — Bayview Park — Free entry — Enjoy a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session suitable for all levels amidst nature.

14th Annual Gala of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

5:30-9:30 p.m. — Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center — Tickets available — Celebrate community support while benefiting the Alfred Washburn Center & Outreach Ministries.

Hail The Sun Concert

6-9 p.m. — Vinyl Music Hall — $76 each — Catch Hail the Sun live with great energy at this popular local venue.

15th Annual Navy Federal Credit Union 5K

12:58 p.m. — Seville Quarter — Cost varies — Participate in a community-driven 5K benefitting local charities.

Pensacola Pickles & Wings Family Festival

10 AM – 8 PM — Seville Square — Free admission — Experience the fun with the legendary Pickle Priest and a day filled with pickle-themed festivities.

Oyster Restoration Initiative Constructability Meeting

10 AM – 12 PM — Bayview Community Center — Free entry — Engage in a workshop to shape the future of oyster reef restoration in Pensacola.

Live Well, Age Well Conference

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown — Event pricing not specified — Discover the latest in wellness, longevity, and aesthetic medicine with expert speakers and live demonstrations.

Archaeology Bicycle Tour of Fort Pickens Area

9:30 AM - 12 PM — Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore — Fees required for entry — Discover local archaeological sites while biking through stunning natural beauty.

Brunch with The Mylo Crew

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Perfect Plain Brewing Co. — Free entry — Enjoy brunch while meeting adoptable pups and supporting a local rescue organization.