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Good morning, Pensacola! In today’s edition: VR pilot screening, a Mardi Gras ball, new Costco and Chick-fil-A approvals, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
What’s next for growth: Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said any development at the old Baptist Hospital site would boost property values, as he weighed in on 2025 issues and what should be built — read the full story.
New insights into aviator potential: The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute is using a VR system, ASANA, to track focus, adaptability, and spatial awareness, complementing traditional tests to better identify candidates suited for high-pressure aviation — see what data it captures.
Tourism lifeline gets boost: The Santa Rosa Island Authority has begun a project to preserve Pensacola Beach, with dredging set to start later this month and finish by April, restoring miles of coastline — see what’s planned and when.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New businesses on the horizon: Escambia County’s DRC approved dozens of projects in 2025, including a new Costco and Chick-fil-A, with more expansions from Chipotle and others, plus a newly approved Pensacola Beach hotel Get all the project details.
Weeknight burrito upgrade: When the burrito craving hits, Taqueria El Asador answers with hefty, fresh wraps, smoky meats, and bright salsas. This family-run food truck parks by a gas station, draws loyal lines, and proves a quick detour can taste like a serious upgrade.
Hands-on science fix: Need a midweek curiosity boost? Pensacola MESS Hall invites tinkering with open-ended mess kits and hands-on stations that turn “wait, how?” into “ohhh, got it.” Great for kids, and sneaky-good for grownups who like to build, test, and play.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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🎭 Mardi Gras @ Pensacola Bay Center | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve ever wondered what happens when bead-tossing meets flower-crown posing, the Krewe of Priscus has answers with Mardi Gras Coachella, a full-on ball with festival flair. Expect brass and bass, sequins and fringe, real cocktails, and zero desert dust.
🍕 Annual Pepperoni Roll Bake Off @ Bubba’s 33 | Saturday (1/10) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’re a purist who insists on dough and pepperoni only, or a cheese-sneaker, bring your scratch-made rolls, your appetite. RSVP to compete, judge, or graze after judging. Prizes await, the Karin Rule keeps displays tidy, and 2026 Shrimp Boil thanks the winner.
🥞 Hogs & Hotcakes! @ Pensacola Harley-Davidson | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Hogs & Hotcakes is flipping free pancakes with Harley’s Angels on spatula duty, plus syrup, whipped cream, fruit, chocolate, and questionable restraint. Bring those dusty Harley Bucks, spend them before 1/31/26, and start 2026 right with new gear, a full belly, and smug satisfaction.
🏔 Afternoon Escape: Almighty Mountains & Happy Pines @ Painting with a Twist | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 PM – This laid-back afternoon escape leans into big mountain views and unapologetically happy pines, no summit ego required. Shake off the to-do list, breathe like you remember how, and enjoy unhurried trails, good company, and the rare thrill of zero notifications.
🍄 Fairy Portal Mushroom Mirror Craft Class @ The Celtic Cauldron | Sunday (1/11) at 12:00 PM – Give your bathroom mirror a portal to somewhere calmer with a fairy mirror craft class that is whimsical, relaxing, and impossible to mess up. Build pathways and pools with moss, mushrooms, dried florals, and broken glass. Gloves included, only 20 spots, $50 per person.
🐾 Paint for Paws @ Maker’s Loft | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Nothing says art class like painting door hangers while you sip, snack, and support the pups. Maker’s Loft hosts a low-pressure craft hang benefiting Green Acres Rescue, with drinks and no glitter explosions. Spots are limited, claim yours.
🍺 Birds & Brew @ Bruce Beach | Sunday (1/11) at 3:00 PM – Spot shorebirds at Bruce Beach, then reward your keen eyes with a pint at Odd Colony. It’s the rare outing where binoculars, sensible shoes, and good conversation all pair nicely with a crisp lager, and no one asks you to hike a mountain.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Pensacola locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.
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📻 Pensacola report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 73°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 17%
Areas of fog before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 73, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 73°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 32%
A chance of rain showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
This house is wild
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