Good morning, Pensacola.

Pensacola will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and festivals on July 3 and 4, featuring the Blue Wahoos event at Cedar St., downtown concerts with Symphony Sparks & Stars at Hunter Amphitheatre, beach fireworks, a riverfest at Milton, and run/walk events at Flora-Bama and Seville Quarter.

The Roger Scott Pool will reopen July 4 at the athletic complex for open swim on Independence Day from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Regular hours resume July 5 (a temporary restroom is in place until a permanent facility is installed).

City officials held a groundbreaking event today to launch renovation plans for Fricker Resource Center, promising updated facilities to better serve local residents.

Pensacola Beach's new waterfront venue, The Landing (formerly Water Pig BBQ), opened today under Innisfree Hotels.

It will host summer events including shrimp boils, a Fourth of July cookout, and a Blue Angels watch party, and can host private events like weddings and corporate gatherings.

Pensacola residents can book cheap summer flights for $300 or less to popular destinations like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Boston.

Travel dates range from late July to mid-September with various airlines offering one-stop or nonstop service.

A national report from the Network for Public Education shows that Florida public schools earned only 14 out of 100 points—ranked last among all states.

Local educators say changes in school funding, privatization, and support for teachers and students are needed.

Governor DeSantis has allocated over $1.5 billion to boost teacher salaries, aiming to raise the minimum from $39,000 to $50,000.

The funding — set to be signed on July 1 — follows improvements in student progress from new testing methods.

The CDC said Florida’s 2026 tick season may be among the worst in decades.

Locals in Pensacola are advised to check for ticks after outdoor activities and to safely remove them using proper techniques (like using clean tweezers and soap) to lower the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

The county is using tourism tax dollars to fund a planned $25M upgrade to the John R.

Jones Sports Complex, which will add eight additional fields + convert natural grass to artificial turf. The facility improvements, aimed at hosting larger teams and tournaments, will be ready by spring 2027.

The Molly Ringwalds Concert

8:30 – 10:30 p.m. — Seville Quarter — $30 — Experience the ultimate 80's music revival with The Molly Ringwalds in an unforgettable concert.

Armor for Sleep Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Handlebar — Tickets required — Experience an evening of live music from Armor for Sleep as they showcase their talent and artistry.

Celtic Throne II: Psalter of Ireland

7-10 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Pensacola — Discount tickets available — Experience a captivating journey through Irish culture with music and dance performances.

Skweezy Jibbs Makes a Movie

6:30 – 8:00 p.m. — The Handlebar — Tickets from $104 — Experience a must-see live performance by Skweezy Jibbs in Pensacola.

Creed Fisher & Frank Foster Live Concert

7 p.m. — Wild Greg's Saloon — Ticket prices vary — Experience an evening of country music with Creed Fisher and Frank Foster.

Montgomery Biscuits at Pensacola Blue Wahoos

5-7:05 p.m. — Blue Wahoos Stadium — Family-friendly event — Enjoy a day at the ballpark creating memories with loved ones while watching Minor League baseball.

Second Sunday Salsa at Emerald Republic Brewing

6-10 p.m. — Emerald Republic Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a lively evening of Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue in a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.

PYP Member Meetup & Game Night

6-8 p.m. — Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center — Free for members — Connect with fellow young professionals over games while sharing ideas for future events.

FattMack Concert

9 p.m. — Vinyl Music Hall — Tickets starting at $136 — FattMack promises an unforgettable live music experience in Pensacola, FL.

In Gloom Live Performance

7-10 p.m. — The Handlebar — Tickets from $68 — Experience an unforgettable live show with In Gloom in Pensacola.