What is freedom of the press? The definition (Merrian-Webster) is the right to publish and disseminate information, thoughts, and opinions without restraint or censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

1. We operate on a set of core values that includes truth – straight down the middle truth. Truth stands on its own and doesn’t lean one way or the other. It isn’t your truth, my truth, his truth. It is the truth. To that effort, we interview all sides of a story. It also includes personal accountability, passion for what we do, and being part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Two words that do not go together – Florida and snow. They don’t go together for a reason, actually for many reasons. We experienced every single one of them last week when Winter Storm Enzo blasted Northwest Florida with extreme cold temperatures and nearly a foot of snow…in 24 hours.

This week we watched the beautiful and majestic pomp and circumstance that is the presidential inauguration. No matter who the incoming president is, the ceremony surrounding inauguration day is one to behold. It touches us both patriotically and spiritually.

Nothing says “peaceful transition of power” like barbed wire, barricades, and troops standing by. With no threats indicated, that is what the feds are doing with your tax dollars.

The fourth anniversary of “January Sixth” falls on January 6 this year. Who can forget the Biden Inauguration in 2021? Chief Justice John Roberts took the Bible to swear in Joe Biden and started the oath by raising his hand and saying, “I, Joe Biden.” Biden said, “No, I am Joe Biden!”

Not that many years ago, the best way you could find out about businesses in town would be through your local newspaper. Your local newspaper is still a great source of advertising information, but if you’re looking for something, chances are you’re going to start by “Googling it.” Have you ever wondered why that’s become our go-to move? Well, a recent court ruling has shed some light on this, and it’s not a pretty picture.

It was a Thursday afternoon two weeks ago when the editor’s phone rang. A gentleman wanted to ask us if we knew anything about what happened in the Lowe’s parking lot over the weekend. He was there and saw a lot of first responders around a vehicle trying to help someone. The gentleman on the phone said there had been a suicide and it was ‘all over Facebook.’

We are in the midst of the Christmas season and the allure of online shopping and big-box retailers can be tempting. The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. However, there’s a compelling case to be made for turning our attention to local businesses. Shopping locally isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful way to support our community, economy, and environment. Here are some reasons to consider supporting your community’s small businesses.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the nation will pause to remember the 83rd anniversary of the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese against the U.S. Navy’s facilities at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Most Americans know it as Pearl Harbor Day, that the attack precipitated the United States’ entry into World War II and that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in condemning Japan’s aggression, called Dec. 7, 1941, “a date that shall live in infamy.”