Governor Ron DeSantis has never shied away from bold proposals, but his latest idea—to eliminate property taxes in Florida—may be his most bold yet. While the promise of tax relief is politically seductive, the implications for local governments could be devastating. Property taxes aren’t just a line item on a homeowner’s bill—they’re the lifeblood of municipal budgets, funding everything from schools and police departments to parks and public health.

Actions have consequences, and so does inactions, especially when the inaction is an extraordinary number of state residents who do not complete their census survey. We count every person because every person counts.

The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Okaloosa County’s primary animal control and shelter provider, is facing a dire financial crisis. With a projected $750,000 shortfall in 2025, the nonprofit has warned that without immediate support, it may be forced to shut its doors in early 2026. This is not just a budget issue—it’s a looming public safety and animal welfare emergency.

In classrooms across Florida, an unsettling trend continues to raise red flags: children as young as 6 years old are being removed from school under Florida’s Baker Act, a law originally designed to protect individuals in mental health crises. Intended as a last resort, it’s become a first response far too often. The result? Frightened kids, heartbroken parents, and communities questioning whether we’ve lost our way in addressing student mental health.

$118 million. That staggering figure echoed through the Crestview City Council chamber like a whistle at the end of a game—signaling not victory, but reconsideration. After years of envisioning a sprawling sports complex to serve as a hub for athletic pride and community unity, city leaders were faced with a sobering truth: the dream carries a price tag that could weigh down Crestview taxpayers for decades.

The following was originally published July 12, 2025, at editorandpublisher.com and is a transcript of a vodcast series hosted by Mike Blinder. This perfectly encompasses how our newspapers and reporters feel about the role of newspapers.

Like most bills that go through the legislature in Florida, Senate Bill 180 is a mixed bag of good intentions and concerning consequences. Signed into law last month, this sweeping legislation is designed to improve hurricane recovery and emergency preparedness across the state. But while its goals appear laudable on the surface, the law raises serious red flags about local autonomy, land-use regulation and long-term community resilience.

It was a glorious morning. The sun was shining and the wind was from the Southeast. Up especially early, a tall bony, redheaded young Virginian found time to buy a new thermometer, for which he paid three pounds, fifteen shillings. He also bought gloves for Martha, his wife, who was ill at home.

The 2025 hurricane season began quietly June 1 – and we hope the rest of the season is just as quiet. Those of us who have lived here long enough know that is not a likely situation. There will be threats of storms and we will just hope for the best outcome. But there are certain things you can do to give yourself a head start.

Below is a portion of a piece written by Matti Friedman, an American journalist and Jerusalem-based columnist for The Free Press. He talks about news stories being replaced with a sort of activism by so-called journalists. And how the mainstream media was trying to lead people to conclusions – instead of truth. You can read it in its entirety at thefp.com. We at Crestview News Bulletin believe our readers are smart enough to hear the truth and decide for themselves how it impacts them.