Good morning, Pensacola.

Pensacola officials are weighing keeping the Grand Mardi Gras Parade on the alternate Jefferson route for 2027 after past rerouting on Palafox led to significant business losses; the committee is considering adding programmed entertainment on Palafox (according to parade president Danny Zimmern) and will decide soon.

Pensacola Mardi Gras organizers may change the parade route off Palafox Street in 2027 after the 2026 detour hurt local business; vendors and planners are discussing alternate entertainment options for the street.

PensaCan 2026 invites build teams to stack can sculptures for local food pantries; registration closes Sept.

10 while entries can be submitted at Cordova Mall between Dillard’s and Ross or digitally, and public voting runs from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9.

Pensacola Pup Patrol celebrates its 10th anniversary by greeting travelers with therapy dogs at the airport.

Executive Director Matt Coughlin honored the volunteers for providing comfort to passengers during busy travel times.

Dale Perkins, known as Captain Dale, died Sunday, Sept.

6 after 32 years on the ECUA board, championing the removal of the Main Street Sewage Plant and launching Pensacola’s curbside recycling program+ his legacy endures with a commemorative plaque along Pensacola Beach.

UWF's Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present the Jazz Ensemble in concert on Oct.

1 at 7 p.m. in the Commons Great Hall (Building 22) on campus. The free event will feature vocal and instrumental jazz pieces.

The University of West Florida has been named a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

The designation recognizes UWF's maritime programs — including labs and hands-on training — that help train engineers and technicians for Gulf Coast shipbuilding.

UWF will host three free public lectures on Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept.

17. The sessions start at noon and run into the evening downtown (featuring talks on American founding ideas and civic education).

If no hurricane develops by Friday, Sept.

11, the Atlantic season will mark its latest start as calm conditions prevail in the basin due to wind shear and dry air from El Niño. Forecasters are tracking three tropical waves with low chances of impacting Pensacola during the season's peak on Sept. 10.

Lovebugs have returned to Pensacola roads, and if their residue is not removed within 24 hours, it can harm car paint; experts recommend using wet clothes dryer sheets (not windshield wipers) to clean them off as they swarm highways from 10 a.m. to dusk.

Chelsea Mahan (co-founder of the Canopy Restoration Project) explained that the program gives Pensacola residents up to three 15-gal trees planted along streets and homes to boost resiliency and beautification.

Launched in 2022, the initiative has planted nearly 400 trees using tree trust funds.

On Sept. 8, the Blue Wahoos clinched their playoff berth after a dramatic ninth-inning rally at Synovus Park, hitting three homers to overcome Columbus.

They will face the Biloxi Shuckers in the South Division series starting Sept. 15.

Pensacola Yacht Club will host the 2026 Viper 640 North American Championship from Sept.

30 to Oct. 4 on Pensacola Bay. The five-day event will see 35 to 40 boats in one-design racing, featuring local sailors Mike Levert and Harrison Prochaska and concluding with an awards ceremony Sunday.

Nine Pensacola area high school teams will begin district football play in Week 4 starting tomorrow, Sept.

10, with key games such as Gulf Breeze at Booker T. Washington at 7 p.m. and other contests set for Sept. 11.