Good morning, Pensacola.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services is partnering with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for its holiday 'Empty the Shelters' event+ offering $10 adoptions to local pet lovers.

The program will help lower shelter populations and give families an affordable option to adopt a pet.

Pensacola News Journal showed November’s best news with photos that include new restaurants, a big fentanyl seizure that could kill over 3 million people, Thanksgiving meal drives, and holiday events — like Christmas tree lots and festivals.

The pictures also show local sports and community efforts that made November a busy month in Pensacola.

At the CivicCon Awards on Dec 1, the event honored 15 winners in 10 categories for projects that improved community spaces and environmental education — a recognition of local leadership.

Winners included those who transformed abandoned lots into vibrant gardens and revitalized downtown areas — actions that continue to strengthen Pensacola’s neighborhoods.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida will host the Second Annual Holly Jolly Mall Walk 5K on December 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Cordova Mall in Pensacola—participants can enjoy festive music by Brent Lane with Cat Country 98.7 FM, meet Santa, and receive a tee-shirt and ornament, with all proceeds supporting one-to-one mentoring.

Momentum Church will host LIFT: Ladies in Faith Together on December 6 at 10:00 a.m. at its Summit campus in Pensacola, inviting women 12 and older to join for a morning of worship, games, giveaways and brunch (featuring pastors Stephanie Payne and Linda Seidler) as tickets are now on sale and expected to sell out quickly.

Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will hold tryouts on Dec.

13 and Dec. 20 at the UWF Aquatic Center — candidates must be 16 or older, able to swim 550 yards in 10 minutes and run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes while bringing relevant certifications. Those who pass the tests will have an interview and receive paid training at a starting pay of $19.76 per hour.

Pensacola's Taco Mexicanos has been sold by Gabe Hernandez to Pablo Hernandez—no family relation—with the food truck staying open through December and a full hand off scheduled for Jan.

1 while Gabe remains involved at the brand level.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation sent notices to over 16,000 truck driving schools giving them 30 days to meet new federal rules, and nearly half of the schools received the warning.

Pensacola State College said it is ready to take extra students from non-compliant schools, and its truck driver program—started in 2019 and expanded in 2022 to train up to 64 students—is set to help make our roads safer.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District is seeking funding to improve water quality in Escambia County waterways — including Eleven Mile Creek.

The agency hopes the funds will help protect local water resources.

A Florida Department of Environmental Protection report stated that nearly $759M in repairs is needed for 175 state parks, including several in Northwest Florida, to help sustain visitor revenue.

Planned improvements for eight local parks will include new boardwalks, bathrooms, and parking and will add a toll booth at Perdido Key State Park — a new bridge is also planned at Big Lagoon State Park.

Pensacola travelers who fly starting February 1, 2026 without a real ID will pay a $45 fee to verify their identity at the airport — the fee is meant to update security while some passengers report extra hurdles with their documentation.

A study published in Pediatrics found that children who got smartphones by age 12 had higher risks of depression, obesity and poor sleep.

Researchers analyzed data from over 10,500 children from 2016 to 2022—raising concerns about early phone ownership among kids.

UWF quarterback Marcus Stokes entered the transfer portal on Dec 2 — ending his time with the Argos after he helped them to a 10-2 record and earned Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.

He will have two years to play at his next school and finish his college career.

Holiday Shopping Soirée for Childhood Cancer Research

4-10 p.m. — 220 W Garden St, Pensacola, FL — Free entry — Kick off the holiday season while supporting childhood cancer research with local shopping and festive fun.

Pensacola Downtown Holiday Market

10 AM – 5 PM — Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park — $5 Entry — A festive market featuring local vendors, food trucks, live music, and holiday cheer for all ages.

Saint Nick Photoshoot

2-6 p.m. — Coastal County Brewing — Photo session fees apply — Capture festive memories with Santa Claus in a brewery setting this holiday season.

Huntsville Havoc vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers

6:05-7:35 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center — Ticket prices vary — Cheer on the Ice Flyers as they take on the Havoc during College Night festivities.

Pensacola Children's Chorus Concert

6:30 – 8:00 PM — Saenger Theatre Pensacola — Ticketed event — Experience an enchanting evening with talented young vocalists showcasing their musical artistry.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl in Pensacola

4-9 p.m. — Vinyl Music Hall — Tickets required — Wear your ugliest holiday sweater for a festive evening filled with games, contests, and cheer.

Paws for the Clause - Ugly Sweater Pup Paw-ty

2-6 p.m. — Coastal County Brewing — Free entry — Celebrate the season with your pups in festive ugly sweaters and enjoy a day of fun, treats, and community cheer.

Steps to Success Holiday Social

6-8 p.m. — 8Fifty Event Center — Free admission — Celebrate 9 years of community impact with networking, live music, and family fun.

Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings

6:30-7:30 p.m. — First United Methodist Church — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the magic of Christmas carols performed by the Palafox String Quartet by candlelight.

Huntsville Havoc vs Pensacola Ice Flyers

6:05-7:35 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center — Stream available on FloHockey — Enjoy an exciting hockey match as the Havoc face off against the Ice Flyers.