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Santa Rosa County Day News

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Tuesday, May 5, 2026 · Santa Rosa County

Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge

Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026
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Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties

With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

KILL - Stale Material

Submission rejected: all source material is stale and lacks current relevance or outcomes.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

NOT PUBLISHABLE: Source Material Lacks News Value

KILL: Stale travel guide from before Memorial Day. No post-event reporting available. Source lacks news value for June 12 publication.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

37 graduates earn diplomas, degrees from PSC Charter Academy

PSC Charter Academy graduated 37 seniors Monday evening, with 24 earning associate degrees. The academy offers high school students the chance to earn college credits simultaneously.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

PSC dental hygiene program graduates 11 military service members, including first two Coast Guard graduates

Pensacola State College graduated 11 active-duty military service members from its dental hygiene program, including the first two U.S. Coast Guard graduates.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Pensacola Expands Homeless Services Across Three City Programs

Pensacola expanded three homeless assistance programs since 2023, placing 93 people in shelter and housing while serving 21 youth through a rental assistance initiative.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Pensacola Names Economic Development Director and Assistant Parks Chief

Pensacola hired Steve Baham as Economic Development Director and Joel Holmes as Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, bringing combined experience in business recruitment and recreation management.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Pensacola's Three Homeless Programs Place Hundreds in Housing

Pensacola's homeless programs placed 93 people in housing and served 21 youth through rental assistance grants since 2023.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Da Lisa Road Reopens After Water Line Repair

Milton crews fixed a water line break on Da Lisa Road and reopened the section between Audiss Road and Contentment Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Santa Rosa County Lands $21M to Replace Septic Systems With Sewers

Santa Rosa County secures $21 million in Deepwater Horizon settlement funds to convert septic systems to sewers and improve water quality in the Pensacola Bay Watershed.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves Joins U.S. Conference of Mayors Board of Trustees

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves becomes the first mayor from the city to serve on the Board of Trustees for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, securing a seat at the national table for federal advocacy.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Reeves Becomes First Pensacola Mayor on U.S. Conference of Mayors Board

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves was elected to the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, becoming the first mayor from Pensacola to reach the organization's executive committee.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Da Lisa Road Reopens After Water Line Repair

Da Lisa Road between Audiss Road and Contentment Street reopened Tuesday after a water line break. Crews completed repairs in less than four hours.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Santa Rosa County Gets $21M to Convert Septic Systems to Sewer

Santa Rosa County secured $21 million in federal funding to convert septic systems to sewer in the Pensacola Bay Watershed area.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

City of Pensacola Tackles Yard Debris Backlog

Pensacola city crews collected over 9 million pounds of yard debris through the first week of May, a 21% increase from last year and a five-year high.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Santa Rosa County Focuses on Long Range Planning for Future Growth

Santa Rosa County's Long Range Planning division continues to shape the county's future by administering the Comprehensive Plan and providing essential GIS mapping services.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

“250 Years of Freedom” art exhibit highlights PSC’s 250 Years Proud events in May

Pensacola State College's "250 Years Proud" celebration featured a presentation by Denise McNeff on the United States' founding years.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami

Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Santa Rosa County 4-H Opens Summer Day Camps in Milton

Santa Rosa County 4-H announces three themed summer day camps running June and July in Milton, with registration now open.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

IHMC opens $40M research complex in downtown Pensacola

The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition opened a $40 million research complex in downtown Pensacola on Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026