Daily
Pensacola
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Good morning, Pensacola. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Pace Center for Girls Escambia-Santa Rosa will host its 2nd Annual Masquerade Soirée at The Sanctuary, where guests will celebrate and support programs (providing education and counseling) that empower girls. The event promises live music and interactive performances for an evening of purpose-filled fun. Local Pulse
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Costco lowered prices on popular food items such as chicken pot pie + bacon + whipped cream + walnuts as it introduced new Kirkland Signature items last week. The retailer is expanding its Florida footprint with planned new stores in Pensacola and other cities. Pensacola News Journal
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new exhibit called Return with Honor, Vietnam is on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola that guides visitors through the experiences of POWs and their families using artifacts and interactive displays. WUWF
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will pass about 170 million miles from Earth on Dec. 19 and can be seen with a small telescope by keen skywatchers before dawn. Scientists say its close approach offers a rare chance to study an object from another star system (and it poses no threat). Pensacola News Journal
- ➤ At a Pensacola State graduation on Dec. 17, 2025, 54-year-old Carl Brooks suffered a heart attack and died after being taken to Baptist Hospital; PSC President Ed Meadows said future ceremonies will include improved procedures to alert on-stage staff during emergencies. Pensacola News Journal
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ On Dec. 17, Florida Lotto drew winning numbers to set its jackpot at $7.25 million while Powerball reached $1.25 billion as no top prize was claimed — spurring holiday hopes for a life-changing win in the local market. Pensacola News Journal
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Florida cabinet approved $27.4 million to buy a 7,437-acre parcel that will act as a buffer for Whiting Field and protect local waterways and wildlife. The land will be managed under a conservation easement as part of a larger effort to secure over 21,500 acres. Pensacola News Journal
- ➤ Attorney General Uthmeier warned Pensacola officials over the upcoming 'A Drag Queen's Christmas' show at the Saenger Theatre, scheduled two days before Christmas, after posting on X. City leaders said they may cancel the event if the state covers any legal fees. WEAR-TV
- ➤ Escambia County approved an amended ordinance that bans camping on public property at all times starting the week of Dec.22, and Waterfront Mission supports the change for safety and sanitation even though some campers fear displacement + county officials have yet to discuss options for a managed shelter campground. Pensacola News Journal
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Jodie Buttrey donated her live kidney to her father Randy Zychowski at Ascension Sacred Heart in 2023 when he faced a long wait for a transplant. After a tough recovery due to an allergic reaction, he moved permanently to Pensacola and resumed woodworking and hunting. WEAR-TV
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Chef Alex McPhail, who owns Iron, rose from Pensacola roots after studying at Pensacola State College and working in New Orleans kitchens — his journey brings southern and Creole flavors to the downtown restaurant and draws food lovers from across the city. Local Pulse
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Pensacola will host the International WASZP Games in March, 2026—a major foiling event that gathers elite sailors for high-speed hydrofoiling racing and marks a new coaching and technical partnership with America One Racing. Rick's Blog
- ➤ The FHSAA finalized football classifications for local high school teams for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons on Dec. 17. Six teams will drop divisions, with Pine Forest moving to 3A, Gulf Breeze and Milton to 4A, and Navarre, Pace, and Tate to 5A (the FHSAA is reducing classes from seven to six and adding an open division championship). Pensacola News Journal
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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.
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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.
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Christmastime Boards & Brews Charcuterie Workshop
2-6 p.m. — Coastal County Brewing — $75 per person — Create a festive charcuterie board while enjoying local craft brews for the holiday season.
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Ice Flyers Christmas Match
6:05-7:35 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday season with thrilling Ice Flyers hockey action against the Birmingham Bulls.
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Huntsville Havoc vs Pensacola Ice Flyers
6:05-7:35 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center — $12 for veterans and active military — Celebrate the bravery of our servicemen and women with discounted tickets for military personnel.
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New Year Celebration at Saenger Theatre
6-7:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Pensacola — Ticket prices vary — Experience lively performances and festivities to welcome the New Year.
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Mac & Cheese Festival
12-6 p.m. — Gary's Brewery & Biergarten — Entry fee applies — Indulge in a cheesy extravaganza featuring food trucks, vendors, and fun for the whole family.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.
~ Jean-Paul Sartre
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