Inweekly July 2 2026 Issue

join the Independent News | July 2, 2026 | Volume 27 | Number 26

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winners & losers

outtakes

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news 6

Find your people.

feature

buzz

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

contact us info@inweekly.net

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Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2026 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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winners & losers

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Jason Yarborough / Photo Courtesy of ECUA

Wes Moreno / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County

winners

losers

JASON YARBOROUGH The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has appointed Jason Yarborough, ICMA-CM, as its next executive director.

He begins the role on Monday, July 6. Yarborough brings more than 30 years of local government executive and operational experience, including senior leadership over water, wastewater, reclaimed water and solid waste services. He most recently served as deputy city manager for the City of North Port, Fla., for eight years, overseeing utilities, public works and developmental services departments with more than 400 employees and a $182 million budget. The appointment marks a homecoming for Yarborough, a Pensacola native and Escambia High School graduate who earned his Master of Public Administration from the University of West Florida.

He also holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and is a credentialed ICMA manager.

WES MORENO Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno canceled West Florida Public Library Board of Governance meetings for the summer, including the one scheduled for the afternoon of June 22. County Public Information Officer Kaycee Lagarde said the cancellations would allow the county "to evaluate scheduling and the BOG vacancies." Resolution R2013-17, which created the board in 2013, requires it to meet at least monthly and set its own annual schedule. The resolution gives the administrator no authority to cancel a properly noticed meeting. The board's bylaws state it is "accountable for the administration and operation" of the library and must submit an annual budget to the county commission, duties it cannot fulfill without meeting.

FLORIDA'S SNAP ERROR RATE The U.S. De-

STEVE STROBERGER Escambia County Commissioner Steve Stroberger laid out his reasoning for backing the county's decision to side with local nonprofits in their dispute with Clerk of Courts Pam Childers over discretionary nonprofit funding. The issue for him is whether the Board has final say over "public purpose" determinations, or whether the Clerk holds an independent check beyond legality and fraud. On his Facebook page, Commissioner Stroberger wrote that he would support ending discretionary funding altogether, but until then, the law, not personalities, should settle such matters.

partment of Agriculture's FY2025 payment error rates show Florida's SNAP error rate at 12.97%, well above the national rate of 10.62% and far exceeding the federal threshold of 6%. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said, "These payment error rates are further proof that state accountability is severely lacking in SNAP." State Rep. Alex Andrade said Gov. Ron DeSantis has been "checked out" of state administration since launching his presidential bid, citing SNAP mismanagement as evidence. He compared DeSantis' mismanagement to the 4-5% SNAP error rate when Rick Scott served as governor. Under new federal law, high-error states could soon cover up to 15% of SNAP benefit costs themselves.

3RD ANNUAL DISASTER DASH 5K Approximately 400 participants, including 250 runners, gathered in downtown Pensacola on June 6 for the 3rd Annual Disaster Dash 5K, hosted by Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE). Nicholas Brock won the men's overall title in 17:15, while Jordan Bassett took the women's overall title in 21:09. Richard Boover Jr. and Erika Akins won the masters divisions. The race is one of three annual preparedness events BRACE hosts, along with the Disaster Services Expo and the Faith Community Emergency Summit. Navy Federal Credit Union led sponsorship support.

BRACE CEO Dr. Nick Jackson said, "We cannot stop hurricanes, tornadoes or other disasters from occurring, but we can prepare for them."

ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ State-hired contractors operating the Everglades immigrant detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" were notified on June 22 to begin demobilizing the site, CBS News Miami reported, though closure remains officially unconfirmed. Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman and House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, both Democrats, called the closure overdue and criticized nearly $1 billion in spending. Friends of the Everglades called it a major policy and environmental failure. Attorney General James Uthmeier said the facility outlasted its intended purpose, filling a gap before the federal government scaled up its own deportation operations, and that the land will revert to protected Everglades use. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

ASKING QUESTIONS NOBODY ELSE WILL This week, Inweekly turns 27. In newspaper years—in small-town newspaper years especially—this is both an anniversary and a small miracle.

When Collier Merrill, Ray Russenberger, Chuck Emling and I launched what was then the Pensacola Independent in July 1999, we weren't trying to build an institution. I thought we would peel off some advertising dollars from the Gannett-owned Pensacola News Journal, make a little noise, and maybe sell out for a tidy profit somewhere down the road.

Instead, I got 27 years of something far more demanding: showing up, day after day, to ask the questions that some in this community would rather nobody asked.

That's Inweekly's true, unvarnished, strippeddown value. Not the headlines. Not the personalities. The asking.

slashed tire or smashed window when somebody preferred intimidation to answering questions on the record.

Collier once told me he would wake up some Wednesdays just to check whether the paper had made it out that week, because he genuinely wasn't sure we'd pull off one more.

We've published through hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Katrina and Sally, through the BP oil spill, through recessions and a pandemic that gutted advertising revenue.

We're still here because enough people in Northwest Florida decided an independent press was worth keeping around. They saw value in a news outlet that connects the dots and understands how the past got this community where it is today. They appreciated reporters that don't accept government officials at their word and will search minutes, watch board videos and listen to the recordings of meetings to find the truth.

We're still here because enough people in Northwest Florida decided an independent press was worth keeping around.

ASKING LOUD ENOUGH Local government

runs on the assumption that nobody's watching closely enough to notice when a process gets quietly rerouted around the rules. A county administrator can bypass a governance board's recommendation for library director. A clerk of courts can decide which commission-approved nonprofit and tourism funding actually gets released.

A university president can keep board materials a drive away from public view. None of that requires anyone to break a law in a dramatic, prosecutable way. It just requires nobody to ask why, loudly enough and long enough.

The job isn't glamorous. It's reading interlocal agreements from 2013 to figure out who actually has authority over a library board. It's filing the records request, then the follow-up records request, then poring over text messages, emails, invoices, spreadsheets and budget documents until a pattern of negligence becomes visible.

Most of what powers accountability journalism happens nowhere near the limelight. Sometimes, the work takes months, not hours, days or weeks, to decipher.

While our newspaper is free, editorial independence has real costs: advertisers who pulled out, relationships that soured, the occasional July 2, 2026

FILLING THE GAP The corporate owners of the

News Journal and WEAR-TV will not direct their employees to do this. Clicks on their websites mean more than people. Their local newsrooms are cost centers that must be reduced and managed to improve profits.

There's a gap between what they cover and what actually shapes whether your kid's school gets funded, whether your library has competent leadership and whether your tax dollars go where commissioners said they would. That's exactly the gap Inweekly exists to close. When national corporations cut newsrooms and drop editorial pages, the responsibility is on us to pick up the slack.

I've made plenty of mistakes in 27 years. I've picked fights I didn't need to pick, ignored advice that turned out to be right and mistaken stubbornness for principle more than once. But I would make the same bet again: our community is better off with somebody asking inconvenient questions than without.

Here's to another anniversary, and to however many more years we get to keep going. {in} rick@inweekly.net

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PENSACOLA TIES SHAPE DAVID JOLLY'S BID FOR GOVERNOR "We've spent over a year demonstrating, I believe, that I'm a candidate who not only understands and agrees with the concerns about the moment we're [at] in history, particularly for Black and brown communities, but has continued to build an authentic coalition with a real policy agenda," Jolly said.

LEAD WITH UNITY

David Jolly and Gwen Graham / Photo Courtesy of davidjolly.com

By Tom St. Myer Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner David Jolly is betting that a coalition of Democrats, independents and disaffected Republicans can end more than two decades of Republican dominance in Florida politics. His strategy is already showing signs of success as recent polling gives him an early edge over Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds.

An attorney, lobbyist, political pundit and former Republican congressman who represented the 13th Congressional District from 2014-17, Jolly has built his campaign around bipartisan cooperation, economic opportunity and government accountability.

A recent Change Research poll conducted June 11-14 among 1,273 Florida voters found Jolly holding a five-percentage-point advantage over Donalds after respondents were provided biographical information about both candidates.

PENSACOLA CONNECTION

While much of the statewide conversation surrounding Jolly has focused on his political transformation from Republican congressman to Democratic gubernatorial candidate, his Pensacola connections have also helped shape his campaign.

Jolly's parents lived in Pensacola for nearly 20 years. His father served as director of missions for the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association and worked as an interim pastor for several churches throughout the area. Jolly lived in the city for about two of those years and attended Olive Baptist Church.

One of the strongest links between Jolly and Pensacola is his relationship with Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May. "He's one of the most important leaders of our campaign as a counselor, as an organizer, as a voice—someone, honestly, who has made me stronger and more informed on ensuring that no community is overlooked," Jolly said.

One of the stories Jolly tells on the campaign trail came from a visit to Brownsville, a historically Black community in May's district.

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"I knew Brownsville from my time here in Pensacola, but on one of the visits here, when we visited the community center, when we visited the elementary school, when I saw the hospital had closed, I learned it was now two bus stops to get to healthcare for that neighborhood."

Jolly continued, "When I learned that truancy rates are up because families are jumping rents because they can't afford to stay in their homes, and they're more worried about where to put a roof over the heads of their children than where to send their kids to school, that's a real story."

Jolly said May has become a trusted adviser whose influence would continue if he wins the governorship.

"He's family to me now and he's a counselor and he's going to have a very significant role should we have the opportunity to be governor," Jolly said.

GWEN GRAHAM

The Jolly campaign gained attention in June with his decision to select former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate. Graham, who represented Florida's 2nd Congressional District from 2015 to 2017, is the daughter of former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. Unlike Jolly, who spent much of his political career as a Republican, Graham has been a lifelong Democrat.

Jolly said he intentionally rejected the traditional political calculation that often drives lieutenant governor selections.

"Very simply, I wanted a governing partner capable of leading the state," Jolly said. "I wanted someone capable of serving as governor, and I'm not sure that's always been the No. 1 factor in an LG's decision. As a voter, I've always looked at the week after a primary when a nominee chooses a running mate. It looks transactional and often ugly and cynical, and it feeds into our worst suspicions about politics. For a year, I've known I would never do that."

Some Democrats questioned why Jolly chose Graham and not a candidate of color. Jolly said he understands that concern but believes his campaign has already demonstrated a commitment to serving diverse communities.

Throughout the campaign, Jolly has positioned himself as a candidate capable of attracting support from Democrats, independents and Republicans dissatisfied with the current political climate.

By emphasizing public education, healthcare access and insurance reform, Jolly is attempting to focus the election on everyday economic concerns rather than the cultural and partisan battles that have dominated Florida politics in recent years. He maintains that many Floridians, including Republicans and independents, are more concerned about rising costs and qualityof-life issues than ideological labels.

"I've tried to lead with unity," Jolly said. "I say it's not whether we're going left or right, we're going forward."

His message centers on what he describes as traditional Democratic values with broad appeal beyond party lines.

"I say the economy should work for everyone.

Government can do its part to help us out—housing, healthcare and education—and everyone's rights should be protected and their dignity celebrated," he said.

Jolly moved a step closer to locking up the Democratic nomination in June when Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out of the race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Demings criticized Jolly's past as a Republican, and some of his supporters questioned whether Jolly would be able to motivate the progressive base.

"There have been some days in the campaign where I've thought, 'We just spent 10 hours fighting each other, while Byron Donalds probably reached 30,000 voters,'" Jolly said.

Republicans hold a supermajority in the Florida Legislature and maintain a significant voter registration advantage statewide.

"If we're just saying the economy should do better, the government can do the basics a little better, and honestly, the Republican-led government should stay out of your life, that's a coalition that I think Democrats can be a part of," Jolly said.

REDUCED ACCOUNTABILITY

Jolly has repeatedly criticized Republican leaders in Tallahassee, arguing that one-party dominance has reduced accountability.

"I don't think Tallahassee's responding to our greatest problems because they don't have to, because there's no consequence for failure," he said.

He said issues such as property insurance costs, housing affordability and access to healthcare are examples of challenges that deserve greater attention.

"Homeowners have an insurance crisis.

Renters have an affordability crisis. More people are going without healthcare than ever before, and families don't know where to educate their kids," Jolly said.

His critique reflects a broader evolution in his political philosophy. Jolly said the Republican Party he originally joined no longer resembles the party he once supported.

"More people are going without healthcare than ever before, and families don't know where to educate their kids." David Jolly "My former party went from the party of less government, which I signed up for—Bush 41-type politics—to the party of no government, which was the Tea Party era, to now, government's the enemy, and that's the Trump era," he said.

While he still believes the private sector should play a leading role in economic growth, Jolly argues that the government must take a more active role in addressing Florida's cur-rent challenges.

"I wish we were in an era where the answer didn't require government investment," he said. "But the private sector's not going to lead us out of the current housing, healthcare and education crisis."

POST-WATERGATE CYCLE

Jolly compares the current political environment to the aftermath of the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, when voters sought alternatives to the political establishment. He cited races in the Palm Beach State House and Hillsborough State Senate where Republicans held the registered voter advantage but the Democratic candidates won by wide margins.

"Voter registration doesn't matter this cycle," Jolly said. "I think we're in a 1974 postWatergate cycle."

Still, Jolly cautions Democrats against assuming electoral success automatically translates into long-term support.

"I'm not convinced we're winning hearts and minds yet. We're winning votes," Jolly said.

"We're being given a very fragile currency where people are saying, 'Burn the ships, we're going in a new direction.'"

With Donalds possessing a massive war chest to run campaign ads, Jolly still faces steep odds in his bid for governor. As the campaign enters its final months, Jolly expects Republicans to focus on familiar ideological attacks.

But as the campaign intensifies, the former Republican congressman is wagering that voter frustration over rising insurance costs, housing affordability and access to healthcare will outweigh partisan loyalties and reshape Florida's political landscape in 2026.

"My ultimate gamble here is, I've got enough faith in voters that we're all seeing this is just a breaking point for us, that we got to believe in something better right now," Jolly said. {in} inweekly.net

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the PJC Board of Trustees, led a 24-member screening committee of local business and community leaders, faculty and students.

The committee's role was limited to sorting applications and delivering a list to the board of four to eight finalists.

In February 2008, the screening committee moved eight finalists forward. Trustees interviewed four finalists before unanimously approving Meadows. The full process took eight months and involved two layers of vetting before the board cast a single vote.

PSC's Board of Trustees has not yet announced a timeline for the new search or said whether it will hire an outside search firm or hold public hearings, as the 200708 process did.

DISMISSED The Florida Com-

Dr. Karishma Chhabria Unrue / Photo Courtesy of uwf.edu

HISTORIC HEALTH GRANT University of West Florida Assistant Professor of Public Health Dr. Karishma Chhabria Unrue has been awarded nearly $825,000 through the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to lead a statewide initiative aimed at improving the health of breast and prostate cancer survivors. The grant is one of the largest externally funded research awards ever secured by an assistant professor within UWF's Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, university officials said.

While advances in screening and treatment have improved cancer survival rates, many survivors continue to face lasting physical and emotional challenges and carry elevated risk for chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

Dr. Chhabria Unrue's program, called "Move & Nourish Florida," is designed to address those risks through nutrition, physical activity and stress-management support delivered in a practical, sustainable format. Participants will receive personalized guidance from healthcare professionals as part of the initiative.

"This funding allows us to translate research into action by working directly with cancer survivors and the communities that support them," Dr. Chhabria Unrue said. "Our goal is to develop evidence-based approaches that improve health outcomes and can ultimately be implemented across Florida."

The project draws on UWF's IMPACT Lab, which Chhabria Unrue founded to focus on cancer survivorship, mental health, chronic disease prevention and women's health. It also brings together UWF's departments of Public Health, Movement Sciences, Social Work, Nursing and Medical Lab Sciences, along with the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering's Computational Statistics and Data Analytics Lab. Community partners include Health and 88

Hope Clinic, Community Health Northwest Florida and the Florida Department of Health.

The initiative will also provide research and training opportunities for UWF students.

The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund was created by the Florida Legislature in 2024 within the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, with oversight by the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative, to support innovative cancer research and treatment models.

More information on the UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health is available at uwf.edu/ukcoh.

PSC PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH Pensacola State

College's District Board of Trustees will choose the institution's next president, and the process has changed significantly since the last search nearly two decades ago.

At the board's monthly meeting on June 16, PSC Board Chair Zack Smith formally appointed himself and the rest of the board as members of the college's Presidential Search Committee.

Smith will chair the committee.

Smith brings recent experience to that role.

He also serves on the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, where he chaired the presidential search committee that considered 84 applicants and forwarded a single name to the board: former Florida Education Commissioner (and interim UWF president) Manny Diaz Jr. Critics accused Smith of bypassing Board of Governors rules requiring more than two finalists—absent documented "exceptional circumstances," which Smith did not publicly provide.

The PSC process stands in sharp contrast to the search that brought Ed Meadows to what was then Pensacola Junior College in 2008. That search began in August 2007, when President Tom Delaino announced his retirement. Business leader John O'Connor, who also served on

mission on Ethics has dismissed all 15 complaints filed against Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler, finding they lacked legal sufficiency, according to the commission vote in June.

The complaints stemmed from a February social media dispute between Kohler and State Rep. Michelle Salzman that began over funding for road improvements near NAS Pensacola.

The conflict centered on the South Navy Boulevard Corridor Management Plan, a $13 million project stretching from Barrancas Avenue to the Sam A. Lovelace Bridge. The project had already secured $3 million in federal funding, and State Rep. Pat Maney, R-Fort Walton Beach, sought an additional $1.5 million in the House budget. Two sources close to Maney said Salzman opposed the request, tying her objection to lingering tension from the 2025 congressional race, which she briefly entered before withdrawing. Salzman has denied trying to block the funding.

The dispute escalated after Salzman posted on Facebook that "a strong woman doesn't seek revenge." Kohler responded with a now-deleted comment that referenced Salzman's disclosure of a sexual assault during her military service while criticizing her opposition to the road funding. Salzman publicly accused Kohler of trying to "bribe me on social media."

Kohler has since apologized twice, including at the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 5. He told the commission he regretted "marrying those two together," meaning the funding dispute and Salzman's disclosure.

Commission Chair Ashlee Hofberger had signaled plans to bring a censure motion against Kohler ahead of the March 5 meeting but ultimately did not introduce one. Instead, she used her remarks to defend Salzman's record on public safety funding for the county.

FACT CHECKING CHILDERS Clerk of Courts Pam Childers gave county commissioners an account of her dealings with state officials on June 17 that does not match the timeline shown in her own correspondence, according to records reviewed by Inweekly.

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Childers told Commissioner Steve Stroberger she had not asked for an opinion from the Attorney General or the Chief Financial Officer regarding commissioners' discretionary spending.

She said, "I merely put them on notice that our state rep. was filing a lawsuit, and these payments are unlawful."

But Childers first contacted the CFO's office on April 2, her emails showed. In that message to Hannah Christian, the CFO's director for policy and legislative affairs, Childers wrote that she had drafted a letter for CFO Blaise Ingoglia and was requesting "collaboration" on commissioner discretionary spending. She questioned whether such spending was illegal or merely "wasteful," and asked what statutes would give the Comptroller's office authority to intervene.

State Rep. Alex Andrade did not send his demand letter until April 14, twelve days after her initial email to the CFO's office.

Childers followed up with the CFO's office on April 21, this time copying the Florida Attorney General's office and attaching Andrade's demand letter. In that email, she noted she had copied Attorney General James Uthmeier's office.

At the June 17 meeting, Childers offered a third account, telling commissioners she had been asked by an unnamed caller "what kind of laws do I need changed," prompting her response about waste in government. Records show she forwarded the Andrade letter and her April 21 email to Sarah Caver, an aide to State Rep. Michelle Salzman.

The dispute traces back to a March commissioners meeting, where Booker T. Washington High School's girls' basketball team was honored for winning a state championship after Childers had denied the team a community impact grant.

Commissioner Lumon May said he asked county staff and legal counsel to seek an Attorney General opinion on whether the discretionary payments are permissible. Commissioner Steven Barry said the issue warranted resolution.

Childers received no substantive response from either the Attorney General's office or the CFO's office, according to the records.

TAKE $50 AND GO AWAY Clerk of Courts

Pam Childers served formal settlement offers of $50 each to First Tee Gulf Coast and the Warrington Emergency Aid Center (WEAC), the two nonprofits suing her over commission-approved community funds she refused to release.

First Tee had sued to collect $4,500 in funding approved by commissioners in February and March 2025 for its youth golf programs. WEAC sought $2,500 in reimbursement for food pantry expenses approved by commissioners in October 2025. Childers denied both payments, arguing the funds did not serve a valid governmental purpose.

Under the offers, filed in Case No. 2026 CA inweekly.net

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The Registration and Party Change Deadline for the August 18th Election is July 20, 2026

000624 in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, the nonprofits have until July 22 to accept, reject or let the offers lapse. Acceptance would resolve all claims against Childers, including attorney's fees, interest and costs.

Legal observers note that under Florida's offer-of-judgment law, a plaintiff who rejects a formal settlement offer and later recovers less than that amount at trial can be required to pay the opposing side's attorney's fees and costs incurred after the offer was made. A token offer sets a low bar that can shift financial risk onto a plaintiff who declines it.

The underlying lawsuit seeks a court ruling on whether Childers, acting as county comptroller, may use her own judgment to deny commissionapproved expenditures, or whether her role is strictly ministerial. The case also names Florida Statute 129.09, which Childers has cited as grounds for refusing the payments.

PEDC REPORT The Pensacola-Escambia Promotion & Development Commission (PEDC) approved up to $15,000 on June 23 for consulting help on capital projects at the county's commerce sites, while continuing to debate how to finance a long-discussed parking garage at the Tech Park.

The PEDC is a nine-member, quasi-governmental public corporation created by the Florida Legislature to drive economic growth, job creation and industrial development in Escambia County. The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance provides its administrative support.

FloridaWest CEO Chris Platé told the board the agency needs dedicated support managing multiple capital projects under tight timelines tied to a pending letter of intent. Board members trimmed the original funding request before approving it, with board member Dave Hoxeng raising a longer-term question about whether the county should instead fund a permanent staff position.

The board's lengthiest discussion centered on the Tech Park, where FloridaWest is working with Grace Designs on a first spec building.

Council President Allison Patton said a recent meeting with the city clarified that long-assumed height restrictions on the site are flexible variances, not hard caps, since the old Gateway Review District Board no longer exists. Commissioner Steven Barry pointed out that added flexibility could make a multi-story parking garage more cost-effective, noting that perspace costs drop 5 to 6% with each additional floor built.

Platé also reported FloridaWest's prospect pipeline has generated 23 to 24 projects since Oct. 1, 2025, with five companies announced representing $184 million in investment—204% of the goal—and 485 jobs, or 162% of the goal.

DIAZ BYPASSES SCHOOL DISTRICT The University of West Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously on June 18 to make the university a charter school authorizer for Somerset Academy Escambia, a vote that removes overJuly 2, 2026

sight of the school from the elected Escambia County School Board and places it with UWF. Somerset Academy Escambia plans to open Aug. 12 with up to 180 students in kindergarten through third grade, housed in trailers behind Argo Village. The school is projected to grow into a full K-5 campus with capacity for approximately 580 students in four or five years.

UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. told trustees the school will be operated by Somerset, Inc., not UWF, with the university responsible for oversight, compliance and coordination with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Charter Institute. He estimated fewer than a third of students enrolling will have any connection to UWF, a reversal from the school's original framing as a free benefit for university families.

In January, Diaz told trustees the school was not a charter school, describing it instead as a small, philanthropically funded program serving the children of faculty, staff and students. The June 18 vote formalizes a charter relationship with a 180-student opening enrollment target, a sharp departure from that earlier description.

The arrangement differs from Pensacola State College's charter school, which opened in 2022 under authorization from the Escambia County School Board. PSC operates its own charter academy directly, without an outside management company, and caps enrollment at roughly 300 students with minimum GPA requirements for admission. The school has earned consecutive "A" grades from the state and reports a 100% graduation rate.

Somerset Academy Escambia will be run by an outside operator with no prior presence in Escambia County, and the Florida Charter Institute's own review flagged risk in meeting its opening enrollment target.

Diaz has held ties to the charter school industry predating his UWF presidency, including a decade as chief operating officer of Doral College, which is affiliated with Academica.

CHECK VOTER STATUS/UPDATE INFORMATION

Make sure your registration information is current. To check your registration status, click “Am I Registered?” at EscambiaVotes.gov. You may update your signature on file with our office at any time using a Florida Voter Registration Application. You can simply call or email us with an address change, or use a signed, written notice.

NOT REGISTERED?

Use our online voter portal at EscambiaVotes.gov, or complete a Florida Voter Registration Application available in our office and other area locations. You must return it to the Supervisor of Elections on or before the registration deadline of July 20, 2026.

CHANGE YOUR PARTY

To change your name or party affiliation use the online voter portal at EscambiaVotes.gov/register-to-vote or submit it on a Florida voter registration application.

VOTE BY MAIL

Request a vote-by-mail ballot using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by calling our office. Requests must include your drivers license or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Vote-by-mail requests must be received by August 6, 2026.

FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION

Take a moment to confirm your polling location before voting. Every voter will be mailed a sample ballot, which will include their current polling location. Or use one of the contact methods below to see where you can cast your ballot.

VIEW YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT

Sample ballots for all voters are online at EscambiaVotes.gov/sample-ballots and will be mailed to voters prior to early voting. You can check EscambiaVotes.gov or call us at (850) 595-3900 for more information.

Robert D. Bender, Supervisor of Elections Phone: (850) 595-3900 Fax: (850) 595-3914 Email: soe@escambiavotes.gov

EscambiaVotes.gov

HE'S BACK Florida House Speaker Danny Perez has appointed former Congressman Matt Gaetz to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board, effective July 1, 2026. His term expires June 30, 2030.

The Florida Legislature created Triumph Gulf Coast to administer money tied to the Deepwater Horizon spill settlement and direct it toward the Gulf Coast region. His father, State Sen. Don Gaetz, served as Triumph Gulf Coast board chair from 2018-2022, after leaving the Florida Senate.

Matt Gaetz left office in 2024 when President-elect Donald Trump announced Gaetz would be nominated for U.S. Attorney General.

The nomination was later withdrawn, and Gaetz moved into media work, hosting a show on One America News.

He posted on social media, "I am returning to public service! Thank you, Speaker Perez, for this appointment. I look forward to the work ahead as we continue improving the lives of Northwest Floridians. {in} 9

By Dakota Parks Your phone says you've spent six hours scrolling today. What if you spent just one hour doing something else?

Whether you're looking for a summer read, a little group exercise, a creative outlet or simply a reason to leave the house and meet new people, we put this list of local clubs together for you. From drawing and photography to square dancing, tarot, running and bike riding, there's likely a gathering with your name on it.

DRAW TOGETHER @drawtogetherpensacola

For those who have always wanted to make art but never knew where to start, Draw Together offers a welcoming place to pick up a pencil and join in.

Organized by Jarrod Goldman and Noah Simpson, the free weekly drawing club transforms local businesses into temporary community art spaces where people of all ages and skill levels can create side by side. Supplies are provided, and attendees range from seasoned artists to people sketching for the very first time.

"Drawing is for everyone," Simpson said.

"We want to make drawing supplies, space, time 010 1

and education more accessible, and that means for everyone. Whether it is your first time drawing or you've been doing it for 50 years, drawing belongs to you. That is really the spirit of Draw Together. We also take the time to make sure our supplies are diverse enough for any skill level and that there are activities for everyone, including coloring books."

Goldman describes Draw Together as a third space where people can step away from their routines, meet new friends and create alongside others.

"Being around others that love drawing as much as you do is inspiring and energizing," Goldman said. "Something special happens when a group like that gets together. We like to think of Draw Together as a safe space to get out there, make a friend and start creating things together. That sort of connection just can't be made at home."

The club regularly incorporates collaborative exercises, games and monthly workshops, such as a recent stamp-carving workshop using rubber erasers, encouraging participants to work together rather than draw in isolation.

While Pensacola's artistic talent was never in question, Goldman said he and Simpson have

been moved by how much the gatherings have come to mean to regular attendees.

"We absolutely love getting Pensacola to Draw Together," Goldman said. "We are immensely grateful to have gotten to know a ton of friends these last few years, and we are so excited to get to know the friends we haven't even met yet."

RECESS PENSACOLA @recesspensacola

For those looking to swap sketchbooks for sunshine, the recently launched Recess Pensacola is creating a different kind of gathering space.

Founded by photographer Nikki O'Hara, this new LGBTQ+ friendly outdoor social group was born from a desire for more connection outside of clubs and nightlife.

"After moving here two years ago, Pensacola felt like home fast, but my girlfriend Delanie and I still hadn't quite found our people yet," O'Hara said. "The queer community here is bigger than I expected—which I love—but so much of it lives in bars and nightlife, and I go to bed by 9:30 p.m. On my Instagram, I asked if anything like this already existed, and the answer was basically 'no,' but lots of people wanted in on

Recess Pensacola & Draw Together / Courtesy Photos

whatever I found. That's when I realized there was a gap, and maybe I could help fill it."

Recess Pensacola focuses on low-pressure outdoor activities designed to help people connect naturally. The group's first meetup— a beach volleyball hangout at Bruce Beach— drew participants of varying skill levels, many of whom had never played before. While the game served as an icebreaker, the real goal was creating space for conversation and new friendships.

By the end of the first gathering, attendees had even started a group chat to stay connected.

"For me, it has almost nothing to do with being active and everything to do with who you end up next to," she said. "When you're mid-game or passing around snacks, the easy moments just happen, and suddenly you've clicked with someone you didn't know an hour ago. The connections sneak up on you, and that's really the whole point. Plus, Pensacola is the ultimate playground.

We've got so many ways to be outside."

Future plans include beach days, lawn games, paddleboarding and other outdoor activities that encourage people to spend time together.

As O'Hara puts it: "Get outside. Find your people." {in} inweekly.net

Pick a Club, Any Club A round-up of select local clubs

GET CREATIVE

PERFECT DAY BOOKS' TAROT CLUB @perfectdaybookstore From channeled poetry and learning the Major Arcana to tarot readings, this club meets once a month around significant astrological events.

PENSACOLA ART HUB @pensacolaarthub

Designed for artists of all mediums, this quarterly meetup provides a welcoming space to exchange ideas and discover what's happening in the local arts community.

RECREATION ART SUPPLY @recreationartsupply

While not a traditional art club, Recreation Art Supply brings creatives together through upcycling workshops, creating a space for donating and redistributing gently used art supplies and fostering a more sustainable way to access secondhand materials.

PENSACOLA FILM PHOTO WALK @pensacolafilmphotographywalk

From exchanging film photography tips to capturing the city one frame at a time, this quarterly photo walk allows local photographers to connect, learn and shoot.

PENSACOLA MOMS SOCIAL CLUB @pcolamomssocialclub

With a full calendar of weekly activities ranging from mommy-and-me Pilates and paint nights to craft workshops, game nights and cookie decorating, this social club helps moms and expecting mothers find community.

CREATIVES COMING TOGETHER @filmsbycalliope

This quarterly meetup, hosted by Calliope Films, is the perfect place for anyone working or hoping to work in a creative field. The events typically offer live music, a featured artist and occasionally a fundraising element.

READ UP

PENSACOLA SAPPHIC BOOK CLUB @sapphic_bookclub_pensacola Centered on queer and sapphic books, this monthly book club welcomes women and sapphic readers of all identities.

READ PENSACOLA @readpensacola

With four genre-focused groups dedicated to literary fiction, romance, fantasy and horror, this 18+ book club network helps readers find their next great read while befriending fellow book lovers.

WUWF BOOK CLUB facebook.com/groups/ wuwfpublicmediabookclub

Hosted by local public radio station WUWF 88.1, this club is made up of book lovers and public radio listeners who read and discuss a new book every two months.

MOVE YOUR BODY

EMERALD WAVES SQUARES @emeraldwavessdc

Meeting every Tuesday, this LGBTQ+ inclusive July 2, 2026

square dance club welcomes dancers of all experience levels to learn new moves, have fun and meet their neighbors on the dance floor.

RUNNING WILD werunwild.com, @werunwild1

Longtime local runners know Running Wild is the best place in town to find the right shoes and right group to run with. They host multiple weekly running clubs and training programs for races from 5Ks to marathons.

RUN PROUD PENSACOLA @runproudpensacola

This LGBTQ+ inclusive running club hosts biweekly Saturday runs at 8 a.m., drawing people of all experience levels for a 5K run or mile walk.

REC PLEX NORTH RUN parkrun.us/recplexnorth

A free, weekly 5K community event at the University of West Florida's Rec Plex North Field, this Saturday morning meetup invites participants to walk, jog run or spectate in a welcoming environment.

200 SOUTH RUN CLUB @ekrumrunners, @200_south

Downtown's largest run club, Espirit de Krewe Rum Runners, meets rain or shine 6 p.m. every Wednesday at 200 South Tap House for a weekly 5K where runners, walkers, kids and dogs are welcome on the streets.

FLEET FEET PENSACOLA RUN CLUB @fleetfeetpensacola

This all-levels running club meets 6:15 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Fleet Feet Pensacola for a consistent 3-mile group run.

MILE MAKERS RUN CLUB @milemakersrunclub

A Saturday morning run club hosted by and starting at Maker's Café & Espresso Bar. They kick things off with a 6:25 a.m. warm-up, followed by a 6:30 a.m. sharp start for a 3.4-mile group run.

PENSACOLA ROWING CLUB @pensacolarowing

Open to all ages and experience levels, this rowing club offers the chance to train on Bayou Texar, build camaraderie with fellow rowers and experience one of the Gulf Coast's favorite team sports.

WEST FLORIDA WHEELMEN @westfloridawheelmen

With weekly rides across Northwest Florida and Southwest Alabama, this cycling club is for everyone from casual cruisers and week-end riders to triathletes and dedicated road cyclists.

PENSACOLA OFF-ROAD CYCLISTS & BIKE PENSACOLA @pensacolaoffroadcyclists, @bikepensacola Dedicated to making Pensacola more bikefriendly on and off the pavement, these two nonprofits support safer streets, maintain mountain biking trails and regularly bring cyclists together through community rides. {in}

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a&e happenings FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS

17401 Perdido Key Drive. Details available at florabama.com/freedom-run.

own red, white and blue sign 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 2 at Coastal County Brewing Co., 3041 E. Olive Road. Cost is $30 per person. Details available at coastalcountybrewing.com/shop/ols/ products/pints-paints—patriotism.

FIRECRACKER 5K Race benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Race starts and ends at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Race is 7 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Registration details available at runsignup.com/race/fl/pensacola/ rmhcfirecracker5k.

PINTS, PAINTS & PATRIOTISM Make your

4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AT ANDY D'S ON NAVARRE BEACH Celebrate America's 250th

birthday all weekend with live music 5-9 p.m. July 2 through July 5 at Andy D's, 8649 Gulf Blvd. on Navarre Beach.

4TH OF JULY CHARCUTERIE BOARDS

Cooking class is 3-5 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Ste. C. Tickets and details are available at pensacolacooks.com.

The Pallbearers from New Orleans, at 309 Punk House, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 4. A $5 minimum donation will be accepted to benefit the preservation of the punk house and Pensacola homeless charities. Visit 309punkproject.org for details.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT RIVERFEST The

SAVE OUR SHELTERS SUMMER SALE Save Our Shelters (SOS) program is having its dog days of summer sale now through July 11. Purchase family-fun baskets, patriotic 250-year celebration baskets and much more. All proceeds go for spaying/neutering of community dogs. Sale is located at the Happy Dog Resort, 1401 W. Cervantes St.

FOURTH OF JULY DINNER AT THE FISH HOUSE Celebrate The Fourth at The Fish

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market St., Cantonment (on Nine Mile Road near Pine Forest Road). The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. For more information, visit facebook.com/animalalliesflorida.

City of Milton celebrates Independence Day 4-8:30 p.m. July 4 with waterslides, face painting, live music and performances and more. A fireworks display will take place at 8:30 p.m. located at 5158 Willing St. in Milton. More details available at miltonfl.org.

House with a five-course wine dinner and views of the Pensacola fireworks show. Cost is $125. Reservations are for 7 p.m. Walk-ins and regular menu are also available. To make reservations, contact Taylor at (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com. Visit fishhousepensacola.com for details.

RED, WHITE AND WAHOOS The Pensacola

Blue Wahoos will celebrate the Fourth of July with a two-day event July 3 and 4 located at the stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. On Friday, July 3, the Blue Wahoos will host kids' activities, live music and fireworks at 8:30. On Saturday, July 4, fans will enjoy the sounds of Pensacola Symphony's annual "Symphony Sparks and Stars" show and view downtown fireworks. General admission for either day starts at $10 with VIP tickets available.

Purchase tickets at bluewahoos.com.

4TH OF JULY AT THE ROOFTOP Open to the public 12-5 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Fireworks viewing event is 6-9:30 p.m. tickets are $50 per person and include one drink ticket, a hot dog and chips.

The Rooftop is located at 400 S. Jefferson St.

PENSACOLA BEACH 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce's Fourth of July Fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4.

PENSACOLA'S 4TH OF JULY Enjoy fireworks show 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at William Bartram Memorial Park, 211 Bayfront Parkway.

FLORA-BAMA ALL AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY PARTY Live music and fireworks at FloraBama, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

FLORA-BAMA FREEDOM RUN Take part

in a four-mile run/walk course of one-mile fun run/walk 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4 at Flora-Bama,

212 1

MAGGOT SANDWICH 4TH OF JULY EXTRAVAGANZA Punk rock show featuring

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every

first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing

Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women, as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

ARTS & CULTURE

10 GOOD MEN: THE FINAL STORY OF THE B-17 Enjoy a screening of the documen-

tary featuring first-hand accounts from 10 of the last remaining World War II veterans who flew the B-17. Showtime is 7 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details at pensacolasaenger.com.

BLUE ANGELS COMEDY SHOW Veterans

and military-connected comics take the stage 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Bagelheads, 916 E. Gregory St. Tickets available at jeremyyoungcomedy.com/event-details/blue-anglescomedy-show.

THE SHADOW MARKET Shop local crafts and vendor in East Hill 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Free General Admission. Located at 1905 E Cross St.

BRIAN KILMEADE: THE HISTORY, LIBERTY & LAUGHS TOUR Comedy show is 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 11 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information available at pensacolasaenger.com.

IMPROVABLE CAUSE Show is 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets and information available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

ROAD TO REVOLUTION EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF HISTORY "Road

to Revolution: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the American War for Independence" highlights how Pensacola helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution. Developed in partnership with America250, the exhibit explores how a Gulf Coast port played a pivotal role in a global conflict. The exhibit is on display through May 2027. The museum is located at 330 S. Jefferson St. For more information about the UWF Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org.

THE POETICS OF PAINTING: A CELEBRATION OF THE LINEAGE AND LEGACY OF JOHN MARKOWITZ Pensacola Museum of Art

exhibit features more than 50 works of art created

by Markowitz's mentors and students on view through Aug. 4. The Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

THE ART OF ANIMATION Pensacola Museum

of Art exhibit featuring illustrations from the Gerald and Vicki Adcox collection. On view through September 6. Visit the museum at 407 S. Jefferson St. Find more details and museum hours at pensacolamuseum.org.

WEST GARDEN DISTRICT ARTISAN MARKET Shop local vendors and artisans 1-6 p.m.

Fridays starting May 1 at Del Mar Plaza, 1617 W. Garden St. For more information, contact info@ ub-pensacola.com.

FIRST FRIDAY AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S.

Palafox St., 5:30 p.m. every first Friday of the month for a reception with wine, live music and occasional artist demonstrations. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.

MOVIE NIGHTS AT MUGS & JUGS Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, hosts monthly movie nights. Watch their website for dates and movie announcements at mugsjugsbar.com. All movies are screened 9 p.m. on select Saturdays.

CLUB 27 COMEDY SHOW Visit Lili Marlene's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. on the first and third Sundays of the month for a night of comedy. Doors open at 6 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION LECTURES Learn Pensacola and Northwest Florida history through interesting, informal

inweekly.net

a&e happenings lectures every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The lecture starts at noon and lasts one hour. Lecture cost is $5 for non-members and is free to members. Lunches are $12. For reservations, call (850) 380-7759.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART FILM SCREENINGS Pensacola Cinema Art will screen films

select weekends during the summer season at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, and payment is cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule.

PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meet-

ings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.

BTB COMEDY Watch live stand-up comedy in

open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little

Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every second Saturday of the month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market is 9 a.m.-

2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox streets at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza

July 2, 2026

and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/downtownpensacola.

SUNDAY MARKET ON PALAFOX Rain-or-

shine market is Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located in downtown Pensacola, between Chase and Gregory Streets in the MLK Plaza.

Market features handmade crafts, art, baked goods, international cuisine and fresh produce.

Visit smopalafox.com for details.

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret

Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pen-

sacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.

AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Para-

normal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants

with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m.

Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.

LIVE MUSIC

BANDS ON THE BEACH The weekly concert

series takes place 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday through Oct. 27 at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Free to attend. Upcoming dates: Al Joslin Elvis Tribute on July 7. For more information, call the SRIA at (850) 932-2257 or go to visitpensacolabeach.com for the latest updates.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Enjoy live music Thursdays through Sundays at Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St. Upcoming dates: The Glenn Parker Band 6-10 p.m. Saturdays; Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; and John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.

BOBBY RUSH AND ALEX HARRIS Show is

6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.

DAFT PUNK NIGHT AT VINYL Show is 9 p.m.

Friday, July 3 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.

THE SOAPGIRLS, WYNTER Show is 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 5 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.

ARMOR FOR SLEEP Show is 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.

OFF CAMPUS NIGHT AT VINYL Show is 10

p.m. (For ages 18 and up) Friday, July 10 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.

SHUTTLEPUNX ZINE RELEASE PARTY

Featuring live music from Rat Daughter, Tirra Lirra, Caca del Diablo and Cockfight. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Cost is $5-$10. Details available at instagram.com/shuttlepunx.

MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO Show is 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.

WOODY GUTHRIE BIRTHDAY GATHERING All ages show. Bring a Woody Guthrie song,

a folk song or a song of your own. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Show at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at 309 Punk House, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Details available at instagram.com/shuttlepunx.

OPEN MIC AT ALGA BEER CO. Country

Club is hosted by Brett Patterson of Snake and

13

a&e happenings the Rabbit every Monday night. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Visit facebook.com/algabeerco for more details.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest

Medical Society present free concerts on the first Wednesday of the month in the cafeteria of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, 5151 N. Ninth Ave. from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, visit jazzpensacola.com.

ROSIE O'GRADY'S DUELING PIANO SHOW

Florida brings blues to Florida 7 p.m. Mondays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Food and drink specials start at 8 p.m.

Details are at sevillequarter.com.

Watch the famous dueling piano show 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Rosie O' Grady's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Doors open at 7 p.m.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play

NOCHE TROPICAL: LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Presented by Latin

7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY AT THE DISTRICT

Enjoy music and fine dining at The District: Seville Steak & Seafood, 123 E. Government St., every Tuesday through Thursday starting at 6 p.m. Their regular weekly schedule is Tuesday Night Jazz with Love Brynnevere, Wednesdays with Platinum Bones and Thursdays Dan Lovelock on the piano. They also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays during happy hour starting at 4 p.m.

Visit facebook.com/districtsteaks for details and updates.

MUSIC RX: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED Jazz Pensacola and Escambia County

414 1

Flavor Entertainment every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.

VIBE IRIE REGGAE: LIVE IN THE COURTYARD Enjoy Vibe Irie Reggae band 4-10 p.m.

Sundays at the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live music 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. Visit facebook.com/calvertsintheheights for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

beers to choose from at Wisteria, 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

ting zoo and more 4-9 p.m. Friday, July 10 and 12-7 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.

BAR BINGO AT SEVILLE QUARTER Bar

WATERMELON FESTIVAL Food trucks, pet-

PERFECT POUR BEER FEST Local beer fest

features local breweries, American cookout, live music and vendor market 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, July 11 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

BLUES, BBQ AND BEER Event is 2-10 p.m.

Saturday, July 11 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox.

Proceeds benefit The Campfire Fund of Florida, which raises money for mental health counseling.

Details available at facebook.com/oddcolony.

DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Drink specials and laid-back vibes are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every weekday throughout the entire Seville Quarter complex with $2 off all liquor drinks and $1 off all beer and wine. Must be 21 or older. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

MARTINI MONDAYS AT DOROTHY'S Mar-

tini menu with specialty prices at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to

close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft

Bingo is 8 p.m. Mondays at Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Bingo is free to play with prizes, giveaways and bar tabs up for grabs for winners. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S

Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m.

Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS

Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St., 5-9 p.m. Mondays for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.

MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every

Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Night, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).

TRIVIA AT DOROTHY'S Play trivia 8 p.m.

Tuesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. It's free to play, and prizes are up for grabs. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

inweekly.net

A hometown pharmacy should feel like home Four convenient locations, plus delivery and Saturdays Milton

Pensacola

4350 Bayou Blvd.

850-484-4338 Saturday hours

2315 W. Jackson St. 850-495-3955

1400 N. Palafox St. 850-433-2165 Saturday hours

6671 Caroline St. 850-564-7722

HealthcareWithinReach.org

July 2, 2026

15

a&e happenings MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S

Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tacos are on special Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steakhouse, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary.

Details are available at districtsteaks.com.

TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain.com/upcoming-events for details.

SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT AT DOROTHY'S Reverse happy hour from 9 p.m.-mid-

night with other specials Wednesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Get

on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E.

616 1

Government St. Drink specials and music from DJ DavidC continue after the dancing. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

TRIVIA WITH JAY AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Specials with your college ID and music from live DJs. 8 p.m.midnight. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

KARAOKE THURSDAY AT SIR RICHARD'S

Karaoke is 9 p.m. Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details. at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

KARAOKE AT DOROTHY'S Karaoke begins 8 p.m. Thursdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER

College night is 8 p.m. Thursdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Ages 18 and older

are welcome. Free beer pong tournament begins at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 bar drinks, $3.50 Fireball shots for ages 21 and older. Cover is $5 for ages 21 and older and $10 for ages 18-20.

Details are at sevillequarter.com.

TAVERN TRIVIA Trivia is 9 p.m. Thursdays

at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at

Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m.

Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

vibes in the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter. Happy hour begins 11 a.m. Fridays with drink and food specials.

SEVILLE QUARTER'S FLIP MY QUARTER

Seville Quarter is flipping the script—and a few quarters—with its brand-new happy hour promotion, Flip My Quarter, 6-8 p.m. Fridays throughout the Seville Quarter entertainment complex. When you order a domestic draft beer, well liquor cocktail or house wine, tell the bartender to "flip my quarter." When they flip it, call it in the air. If you call it right, your drink is free.

FISH FRY FRIDAYS Fish and chips featured 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine.

Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

JAMESON SPECIAL Enjoy $5 Jameson Irish Whiskey all night Saturdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

THEMED DANCE PARTIES Visit Dorothy's,

309 S. Reus St. Fridays for themed dance parties with DJ Brody P 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

Saturdays, members enjoy $3.50 Crown & Drown cocktails at Phineas Phogg's inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government

for more listings visit inweekly.net

St., on Fridays for cold drinks, hot food and great

MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER From 8 p.m.-midnight

inweekly.net

July 2, 2026

17

free will astrology WEEK OF JULY 2 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Archaeologists

studying ancient wells have discovered that some weren't finished in a single effort. Communities might dig to the current water table, use the well for years, then probe further down when water levels dropped or needs increased. This is a useful metaphor for you, Aries. As of yet, you don't have the ability or tools to reach the deepest layers you aspire to reach. My counsel is to go as far as you can now and gather what you find there. Later, when you're readier, you will build on what has come before.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): The doom‑and‑gloom wing of astrology is exhausting.

The superstition that Mercury retrograde causes scrambled messages and dire mix‑ups is dull and misguided. The planet's apparent backward motion, which is happening right now, shows up about three times every year like clockwork. It's perfectly normal! In my view, Mercury retrograde isn't threatening unless you obsess on the idea that it is, in which case, yes, your payment might go astray, and a friend may misunderstand you.

But if cultivating relaxed clarity is more fun and productive for you than coping with fearful ten‑ sion, treat the time between now and July 23 as a rich opportunity to refine, deepen and upgrade how you communicate.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): You Gemini

readers have decreed that I must halt all musings about maddening, riddle-drenched ambiguity.

You've delivered the message to me that you're tired of wrestling with enigmas wrapped in para‑ doxes. Straightforward, plainspoken factualness is what you want. Well, OK. (Please remember that I don't make this stuff up; I simply channel cosmic omens.) Maybe I'll start obeying your orders next time. But first, I will advise you: 1. Unexpected gifts are coming from people and situations in transition. 2. Tough but friendly interventions will nudge you toward healthy course corrections. 3.

Mysterious assistance is on its way.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): There are

phases when the cosmic energies and I urge you to put others first—even tend to their pain before you tend to your own. But this isn't one of those times. Right now, sacrificing yourself

By Rob Brezsny

for the sake of others would obstruct the flow of righteous grace into your life. So then what is the most soul‑honoring path available? Here's what I think: summon your inventive brilliance and use it to imagine generous ways to care for yourself.

Shower yourself with gifts, treats and blessings that delight you. Take the loving care you so deftly pour into other people and lavish it whole‑ heartedly on yourself.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Most fields of human endeavor work like this: a few people are truly brilliant, a handful are actively harmful and the majority fall somewhere between "not great" and "pretty good." That's true whether you're talking about engineers, doctors, poets, or astrologers.

So it's inadvisable to assume a physician is wise about your well-being just because they've logged 15 years on the job, or to trust your life direction to the first astrologer whose promotion catches your eye. In the coming weeks, dear Leo, discernment like this matters even more than usual. Let your natural hopefulness be balanced by sharp, thoughtful judgment. Don't just chal‑ lenge obvious authority. Put every so-called fact, spin, assumption and official line under your own clear-eyed review.

Shower yourself with gifts, treats and blessings that delight you.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Architects de‑

signing spaces for collective use try to balance two human needs: to see expansively and also have safe places to retreat. Too much exposure creates anxiety; too much enclosure brings claustrophobia. The ideal is to provide both shelter and spaciousness. Let's use this theme as a metaphor for your life during the coming months. You'll be wise to create an equilibrium between engagement and privacy, between vastness and protection. Make it easy for your‑ self to observe the larger scene and also with‑ draw when needed.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Self-proclaimed "skeptics" love to sneer at astrologers, as if pon‑ dering what lies ahead were a violation of scien‑

tific purity. And yet economists, sports analysts, trend watchers and political commentators churn out shaky predictions every day. Honestly, those professionals of probability often create more confusion than those of us who read the heavens.

Take weather forecasters, for instance: from Eu‑ rope to Japan, their models routinely miss sudden floods and twisters and trigger more than a few false alarms. But do the debunkers brand them as charlatans? Of course not. Forgive the outburst, but I'm building to a key foresight: every forecast, projection, or vision that crosses your path over the next month will miss the mark—except for this one. So free yourself of their meddling.

can always intuit my desires. But I know this bad idea feels romantic to many people, even though it can sabotage even the most promising bond. In the weeks ahead, Capricorn, I invite you to starve this fantasy. Your intimate world is ripe for a fresh infusion of lucid, straightforward honesty.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Ethnobotanists describe how certain Indigenous traditions work with "teacher plants." These are flora that offer not only physical benefits but spiritual instruction.

They include psychoactive substances, but also ordinary plants approached with extraordinary at‑ tention. In the spirit of reinventing your education, Scorpio, I invite you to expand your understanding of who and what your teachers are. What ordinary elements of your daily life might offer wisdom if you engage them with deep respect? What situ‑ ations at the edges of your awareness could bring lessons that enrich your perspectives? Now is an excellent time to seek new apprenticeships.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Your next few weeks will be sponsored by CoffeeBeer, the paradoxical elixir that both pumps up your energy and decompresses your defenses. You will be an exemplary role model for this innovative product because you will epitomize what occurs when a sensitive soul gets excited and mellows out at the same time. I also expect you will soon be explor‑ ing intriguing opportunities that become available to you because of your supercharged calm. Fortu‑ nately, you don't need to drink actual coffee and beer together to make this happen. The cosmic forces will be conspiring to help you.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): West‑

tence, Pisces: "The one thing that really keeps me from being myself is _______." Is it someone's opinion, an old story about who you are, a fear of loss, a habit of over-pleasing, a secret shame, or a belief that you're "too much" or "not enough"?

Whatever first pops into your mind is probably closest to the truth. Here's your next step: loosen the grip of this stressor by even just 20 percent. I bet your real self will feel relaxed enough to bloom more fully.

ern science and Western religions may disagree about how the universe began, but both place its birth in the distant past. Tantra and other spiritual paths, by contrast, propose that the universe is born afresh in every instant through the sacred, erotic interplay of God and Goddess.

When humans approach love-making as an ex‑ perimental sacrament, these traditions suggest, we can tune in to the union of those primordial forces and, in a sense, take part in the continual creation of existence. So, are you ready for a bit of world-making erotic play? The current astro‑ logical indicators say yes, you are.​

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): A common obstacle to healthy intimacy is the belief that a beloved ally should automatically know what you need, without you saying a word. I used to suffer from this delusion myself and worked hard to dis‑ solve it. I no longer unconsciously assume that my companions are so attuned to me that they

Make it easy for yourself to observe the larger scene and also withdraw when needed.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Finish this sen‑

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: We're halfway through 2026. How are your big projects progressing? tinyurl.com/zzz333xxx333 {in}

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newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com BrezsnyAstrology@gmail.com © 2026 Rob Brezsny

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news of the weird A GENDER REVEAL FOR THE BIRDS An expecting couple in Queen Creek, Arizona, contracted the services of Sacred Dove Release for their gender reveal party, requesting that the birds be dyed—yes, dyed—to announce their baby's gender, NBC 12 News reported on June 18.

It was a first for owner Monica Flores, who typically provides doves for weddings and funerals. "I thought it was a beautiful idea," Flores said. After the bright blue (it's a boy!) doves were released, they caught the attention of local residents along the nearby Salt River, who alerted Crystal White of Crystal's Critter Haven, a local wildlife rehab facility. "They don't blend in well with our natural setting," White said. "They are like beacons for predators." She was able to collect the birds, but couldn't thoroughly wash off the dye.

Flores said she "would never" endanger her birds, and that she'd used nontoxic food coloring. But White maintains that dyeing birds is never a good idea: "They have very sensitive respiratory systems, and so them inhaling anything or ingesting anything could possibly cause harm," White said. The birds are otherwise healthy, and they all made it back home. After receiving negative feedback on social media, Flores said she would not dye birds again. [NBC 12 News, 6/18/26] TWINS SQUARED Fraternal twin brothers Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye of Nigeria love being twins. Like, really love it—so much so, that they've always wanted to marry another set of twins. According to People, their dream came true when they married identical twin sisters on June 20.

Twins are common among the Yoruba people in southwest Nigeria, and are considered a blessing. Regardless of gender, the firstborn twin is typically named Taiwo, and the second, Kehinde.

And that's how Taiwo Oguntoye married Taiwo Adediran, and Kehinde Oguntoye married Kehinde Adediran. The twins met at the University of Ibadan, and while they all became friends, the sisters were not interested in dating at the time.

About 10 years later, the brothers reached out again, and this time, things turned romantic. They were married in a joint ceremony in Ibadan and are already hoping to grow their respective families—two at a time, of course. "With God's grace, we pray for twins ..." Taiwo Oguntoye said. "That is our heart's desire." [People, 6/24/26] ANYTHING FOR LOVE Lisa Catalano's quest for love has finally paid off. The California woman went viral last year for putting up billboards along U.S. Highway 101 with her photo and a link to a website where potential suitors could submit dating applications. Eight months and almost $7,000 later, Catalano is off the market, People reported on June 24. She footed the bill for advertising—including billboards, taxi ads and the website—along with wardrobe, makeup, video shoots and related equipment. She received about 4,000 dating applications between September 2025 and May 2026. After all of that, she ended up meeting her new beau through a dating app back in January. An update on her website reads: "Applications closed! Lisa's in love and has a boyfriend." She describes him as a "kind, intelligent, attractive San

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

Francisco Bay Area man who meets all of her very reasonable non-negotiables." [People, 6/24/26] UH, YUM? The owner of Wakatori, a Japanese restaurant, revealed his secret to the eatery's award-winning fried chicken: 66-year-old frying oil, Oddity Central reported on June 19.

Following pushback on social media and warnings from food safety experts, third-generation owner Yoshihiro Tsuchiya explained that the oil is cleaned and filtered every night before being added to a new batch of oil the next day, resulting in oil that contains traces of the original oil, but isn't comprised solely of it. Other restaurants have followed a similar procedure for soups and broths. [Oddity Central, 6/19/26] •Elsewhere in Japan, chefs have developed an unusual way of preparing tuna: mold aging. Oddity Central reported on June 17 that to mold-age tuna, chefs store tuna under specific conditions to encourage the development of Koji mold, which results in a thick, white, fluffy "fur" around the fish. After curing for four weeks—and sometimes up to eight weeks—the mold is carefully removed, and the bluefin tuna is served raw as sashimi or sushi. [Oddity Central, 6/17/26] STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN An Indian ascetic monk, who belongs to a sect known as Khareshwari, or Standing Babas, is five years into a 12-year vow to not sit or lie down. Instead, Daulat Giri Ji Maharaj relies on a literal support system of ropes, swings and harnesses to help him stay upright, a ritual viewed as penance and a way to be close to the goddess Shiva. Maharaj's legs are swollen and blackened from standing for so long, and he is tended to by a team of volunteers.

Experts say that standing for so long can result in life-threatening injuries. "When standing still for a long time, the veins in the legs must fight gravity to send blood to the heart, but the lack of pumping action in the calf muscles causes blood to pool in the lower extremities," one medical expert said.

[Oddity Central, 6/19/26] SSSSSSUSPICIOUS A man from the Zhejiang province in east China has been sentenced to prison after authorities reviewed electricity consumption in the area, leading them to discover over 300 pythons in his apartment. Pythons thrive in specific environmental conditions, so investigators deduced that a breeder would need to use significant energy to maintain them. On June 23, People reported that the man, known only as Guo, lived alone and posted his snakes for sale on social media. Investigators also found two other people who were part of the operation, and dozens of additional pythons at a separate location. All told, 436 pythons valued at more than 30 million yuan, or about $4.2 million, were involved. The snakes have since been turned over to a local zoo. [People, 6/23/26] {in} From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2026 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com July 2, 2026

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