Daily editionWednesday, December 31st, 2025

Good morning, Pensacola.

The Daily Pensacola Team

Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.

Community

According to Conde Nast Traveler, Pensacola Beach was named the nation’s top beach while Navarre Beach ranked second.
The list praises emerald-green waters, sugar-white sand and a community feel that highlights local events along the Emerald Coast.
Local PulseRead more
Registration for the 37th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is open – the event will be held on Jan. 19 in Pensacola.
Local residents can sign up to join this longstanding community celebration.
WEAR-TVRead more

Culture

Pensacola Beach was voted the best U.S. beach while Navarre Beach took second place in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, where over 757,000 people participated on Dec. 30.
The vote highlights the Gulf Coast’s appeal for sun, sand & adventure.
Pensacola News JournalRead more
Mountainfilm on Tour will screen a handpicked lineup of outdoor adventure and environmental films at the Pensacola Little Theatre on Jan. 17 — the event supports nonprofit groups protecting local waterways and expects about 200 attendees.
WUWFRead more
Downtown Pensacola will host the 15th annual Mardi Gras Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 as the season is launched at Phineas Phoggs at 5:00 p.m.—street closures begin at 3:00 p.m. and the festivities conclude with a Community King Cake cutting at the Artel Gallery.
Local PulseRead more
Pensacola Mardi Gras is set to kick off its 2026 celebrations with weekly Second Line Tuesdays that help downtown businesses as the New Palafox project breaks ground next week — festivities begin Saturday at Seville Quarter with live music and a float procession along Jefferson Street.
WEAR-TVRead more
Single-day tickets to Pensacon will go on sale Jan. 1 for the pop culture convention held from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 in downtown Pensacola (tickets start at $50 for Friday, $60 for Saturday, and $55 for Sunday).
Weekend passes remain available online at Pensacon.com.
Pensacola News JournalRead more
Pensacola Beach topped Conde Nast Traveler’s list of best U.S. beaches — Navarre Beach came in second, showing that Northwest Florida’s coastal spots combine great sand with lively arts, nightlife and dining.
WEAR-TVRead more

Education

CMB Visions Unlimited uses $1.25 million from Children’s Trust to provide free afterschool care, homework help and mentoring for elementary and middle school students at St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church, where improved literacy scores have been noted.
Enrollment has reached 67 elementary students with a waiting list.
Pensacola News JournalRead more

Health

A local resident described her comfortable PicoLaser treatment at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery & Skin Care Center, noting minimal side effects and clear improvements, and she plans to continue her sessions to improve her skin’s appearance.
Local PulseRead more

Real Estate

Escambia County approved over 50 projects in 2025 to add more than 3,500 new homes and apartments across the county, including in Pensacola, Cantonment & Bellview.
The monthly approvals were slightly lower than last year’s over 4,000 planned units.
Pensacola News JournalRead more

Accidents

Since Thanksgiving, 14 families have been assisted by the American Red Cross after over a dozen house fires displaced residents, with nine incidents in Escambia; local firefighters advise extra caution as free smoke detector installations and shelter rides are available during the colder weather.
Pensacola News JournalRead more

Good morning, Pensacola.

According to Conde Nast Traveler, Pensacola Beach was named the nation’s top beach while Navarre Beach ranked second.

Registration for the 37th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is open – the event will be held on Jan. 19 in Pensacola.

Pensacola Beach was voted the best U.S. beach while Navarre Beach took second place in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, where over 757,000 people participated on Dec. 30.

Single-day tickets to Pensacon will go on sale Jan. 1 for the pop culture convention held from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 in downtown Pensacola (tickets start at $50 for Friday, $60 for Saturday, and $55 for Sunday).

CMB Visions Unlimited uses $1.25 million from Children’s Trust to provide free afterschool care, homework help and mentoring for elementary and middle school students at St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church, where improved literacy scores have been noted.

Escambia County approved over 50 projects in 2025 to add more than 3,500 new homes and apartments across the county, including in Pensacola, Cantonment & Bellview.