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Shalimar Day News

Bay breezes and a beautiful, balanced life.Shalimar, FL Edition

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Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Shalimar

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.

Saturday, May 9, 2026
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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.

Saturday, May 9, 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.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion

A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Air Force Senior Airman Stops Dog Attack on Holmes Boulevard

Air Force Senior Airman Marcus Wu stopped a dog attack on Holmes Boulevard on April 22, wrestling with one of two attacking dogs until police arrived. Police Chief Robert Bage presented Wu with a certificate of appreciation at the May 19 City Council meeting.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes Named Florida's Clerk of the Year

Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes wins Florida's Clerk of the Year award, recognizing her leadership and professional contributions to municipal government.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes Named Florida's Clerk of the Year

Kim Barnes, Fort Walton Beach's city clerk since 2015, has been named Florida's Clerk of the Year by the Florida Association of City Clerks.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Locklears Win June Yard of the Month for Pollinator Gardens

Mary Ann and Kirby Locklear won June's Yard of the Month for their Fort Walton Beach gardens that feed hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

VA Chaplains Help Homeless Veterans Rebuild Sense of Purpose

The Department of Veterans Affairs emphasizes that spiritual care, not just housing and food, is critical to helping homeless Veterans rebuild their lives and sense of purpose.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

VETLIFE App Connects Shalimar Veterans to Benefits They've Earned

VETLIFE's Battle Buddy app connects Shalimar-area veterans to earned benefits through guided, step-by-step support. Over 14,000 veterans used it in the last quarter to access VA disability benefits.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

VA Home Loans Help Shalimar Veterans Buy Without Down Payments

VA-guaranteed home loans allow Shalimar veterans to buy homes with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, saving money throughout their lives.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Comment on USMC Cpl. Jason Dunham: One second, one decision by Laura Sorensen

A local family shares their experience with the lasting impact of IEDs on service members, highlighting a documentary about one Marine's eight-year recovery journey.

Saturday, May 9, 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.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Okaloosa County Begins Mosquito Spraying Program May 26

Okaloosa County Mosquito Control launches its seasonal spraying program Tuesday, May 26, using trucks, larvicide treatments, and mosquito-eating fish to manage populations.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Brooks Street Reopens to Two-Way Traffic Under Brooks Bridge

Brooks Street has reopened to two-way traffic under the Brooks Bridge, which is undergoing a $171 million replacement project set to finish in early 2029.

Saturday, May 9, 2026

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.

Saturday, May 9, 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.

Saturday, May 9, 2026