Good morning, Pensacola.

Pensacola Mardi Gras holds its first city-wide planning meeting today at Apple Annie’s inside Seville Quarter — inviting Krewes, businesses and community leaders to learn about plans for a busy 2027 season.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with the meeting starting at 6:00 p.m.

Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 will host a Halloween 5K and Kids Monster Dash on Oct.

31 at the Beach Boardwalk. The 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. and Kids Dash at 9 a.m. with a $35 fee that funds (Forgotten Warriors, Santa Rosa Kids House, and Santa Rosa Autism Society).

Pensacola Hippie Fest, also known as SevilleStock, will debut this Saturday at Seville Square and Fountain Park from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, local artists, food trucks and a vintage car show — offering a day of community art and healing after recent storms.

Pensacola’s newest downtown hotel, Hotel Margot, opened early this month after a nine-month renovation of a 1950s motel on North Palafox.

Owners Graham Guirl and Raf Simpson designed custom interiors, and a coffee shop is already open with more amenities coming soon.

Pensacola Opera transforms UWF Historic Trust Museum Plaza into an open-air concert hall on Friday, Oct.

23, featuring glow sticks, food trucks (opening at 7 PM) and an opera performance by the Jan Miller Studio Artists beginning at 7:30 PM; the free event kicks off their 44th season.

A federal appeals court ruled that Escambia County school board members can be deposed over their decisions to remove library books — the decision follows a lengthy legal dispute over controversial titles endorsed by school officials.

The IUCN (an international conservation group) declared the gopher tortoise critically endangered after a 120-year 80% decline, while state officials declined to extend federal protections, leaving conservationists worried about habitat loss from development.

More than 5 million cubic yards of hurricane debris will be removed from Escambia, Santa Rosa and the city for an estimated $99 million.

Escambia will deploy up to 300 trucks and complete first passes in four weeks + counties will make multiple rounds to finish cleanup.

Sen. Rick Scott donated his Q3 Senate salary to BRACE to help local families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties rebuild after Hurricane Isaias.

The contribution continues his donation tradition since 2019 and supports coordinated recovery efforts (BRACE leads volunteer and donation initiatives).

Pensacola officials continue damage assessments after Hurricane Isaias as crews clear 1.2 million cubic miles of debris, repair facilities, and address $71.7M in private damage (including over $2M at the port).

Feeding the Gulf Coast is distributing emergency food as recovery efforts will stretch into early next year.

During inspections from Oct.

5-18, four area restaurants received administrative complaints and three received high-priority violations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — inspectors noted issues with food temperatures and insect infestations.