Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Ray Palmer, Cheri Preston, Mike Dobuski, and Dondi Frankel.

Pensacola’s biggest and longest-running annual agricultural and entertainment tradition returns this fall, October 17-27, bringing with it exhilarating rides, live music, exotic shows, colorful attractions and exhibits, flavorful fair food, and fun for the whole family.  Dondi Frenkel announces the lineup on WCOA.

The Tourist Development Council heard yesterday a proposal to build an indoor sports facility costing up to $60 million at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park and spending $43 million to upgrade the Pensacola Bay Center. Ray Palmer shares the details.

Rick talks with Sena Maddison, Robert Bender, Bob Rivera, Karen Travers, Shannon Nickinson, Cheri Preston and Don Gaetz.

Science Saturdays are back and ready to turn on new scientific minds this school year.  These 90-minute educational enrichment sessions are a cornerstone piece of community outreach at Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). Topics in 2024 will include 3D printing, bottle rockets, secret codes, and more. Shannon Nickinson has the details.

Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz isn't a fan of Florida Department of Environmental Protection's proposal to build golf courses in state parks.  He said, "Years ago, U.S. Sen. Bill Proxmire gave out Golden Fleece Awards for the dumbest ideas that government could come up with and fund. And if Senator Proxmire was still in office today, this would be a candidate. This was a dumb government trick. "

Rick talks with Will Kennedy, Chip Simmons, Jessica Simpson, and Karen Travers.

The Pensacola Beach Chamber’s vice president of membership services has been named the chamber’s new president and CEO, effective Oct. 1. Simpson will follow in the footsteps of Meg Peltier, who recently announced her intention to step down at the end of this month. In a press release, the board said Simpson was selected because “her deep understanding of the chamber’s mission and her passion for supporting local businesses make her the ideal leader to continue the Chamber’s work and build on Peltier's achievements.”

Will Kennedy discusses the UWF foiotball team's new faces and the process of figuring out the team's dynamics. The second year for Coach Caleb Nobles is expected to bring more of his imprint on the team. The offensive strategy will have more emphasis on running the ball. The defense will be aggressive, going after the quarterback and trying to force turnovers. 

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discusses his plans for a substation in the Beulah area.