Rick's Podcasts

Four days after the violent abduction of four Americans in the Mexican border town of Matamoros, the bodies of two of them have been returned to the United States. A third was said to be wounded and the fourth was simply described as “alive.” The four had traveled to far South Texas and crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico because one of the “medical tourists” had an appointment for cosmetic surgery in the town just south of Brownsville, Texas.  Jim Ryan has the latest.

Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer recaps the Sun Belt basketball tournament and discusses whether there will be more in Pensacola.

Jarah Jacquay discusses the importance of having an appointed superintendent of schools.

On Monday, the Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Florida's ending its involvement in Eric, which is the Electronic Registration Information Center, a multi-state exchange of voter registration data. Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford explains the ERIC system.

Dr. Martha Saunders, president of the University of West Florida, discusses Lewis Bear Jr.'s commitment to the university."For many years, he served on our foundation board of directors and then later on our board of trustees and played a major role in the development of university infrastructure programs and processes," she htared. "He was a hands-on board member. I mean that in a good way, in that he wanted to understand; he wanted to see where he could be of most help. But he also never, ever wavered from a commitment to the community and wanted to be sure that the work that we were doing at the university was work that would benefit this community."

Former Pensacola Museum of Art Maria Goldberg discusses Lewis Bear Jr's love for the visual arts. "If you were to look back in the history of the museum from its inception as  an art center, Lewis and Belle, their family, his parents, and now through the Family Foundation, they are probably the largest contributors to the visual arts and the art museum that has ever been."She added, "And so we, as a community, Pensacola, we are all indebted to him and his leadership through all of that, that we have such a vibrant museum for the benefit of all of us."

County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh brings a unique perspective regarding the selection of a school superintendent, having served 10 years on the school board.

Last August,  School Superintendent Tim Smith and the Escambia School Board introduced a five-year strategic plan  built on the vision “United For Every Student to Succeed.”He sees unity as a key element that provides a means of dealing with the struggles and challenges of the appointed superintendent framework. “After two years, we really don't want to quit. What we want to do is we want to persevere. We want to show some grit and determination and make our system the framework that it needs to be. So anytime you do this, you're subject to growing pains, and I think that's exactly what's taking place here. So we need to have some fortitude, and it would be premature to switch a governance structure after a couple years.”He later added, "What I hope that happens through all these topics of discussion as of lately is let's work together, let's collaborate, let's be unified and not shy away from the tough conversation.” 

The Community Redevelopment Agency voted 7-0 to give Mayor D.C. Reeves the authority to meet with Rev. John Powell about saving the historic Truth for Youth building in the Belmont-Devilliers neighborhood.

The Pensacola Interstate Fair is proud to announce that applications are now available for the 2023-2024 John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational Grant program.Deadline to submit application online is April 10, 2023.The Pensacola Interstate Fair has always had a strong focus and passion for strengthening the community by furthering education. Each year, the Fair awards up to 30 students, $1,000 each. To be eligible, applicants must have participated in the Fair through volunteering, displaying an exhibit or being active in the livestock program during their high school years.• All grants are restricted to graduating High School Seniors who, during their high school years, have been actively involved in the presentation of exhibits, animals, projects and displays, or have volunteered at least ten (10) documented hours of assistance as designated by Fair staff. • All grants are for one (1) year only, beginning Fall Term, 2023 and ending with Summer Term, 2024 • The grant is for graduating Seniors, made payable to any accredited college or vocational school.  Applications are submitted completely online this year.   For more information, visit pensacolafair.com/scholarship-info/