A month highlighted by gambling-related firings and potential NCAA infractions in college sports motivated the Southeastern Conference to put extra emphasis on the issue at this week’s spring meetings.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a Friday morning news conference plans to use $205.7 million toward combating the opioid crisis.

It’s one thing to be 40 and freediving with a polespear, but to be eight months pregnant and nail a pending world record black drum is a whole other thing.

Beachgoers in Destin were in for a sight Tuesday morning along the Emerald Coast.

The Southeastern Conference approved future regular-season schedules and postseason formats for six sports — just not football — to conclude its annual league meetings.

It’s never too early to start planning that next trip. Do you have a destination in mind?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Service industry workers in Destin will protest Amendment 2 on Friday and similar demonstrations were held in Tampa this past weekend. The demonstrations are part of a final push to warn voters that hiking the minimum wage could kill their jobs. Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is warning increasing wages in the middle of a pandemic would devastate small businesses. “You vote yourself in thinking that you’re voting a pay raise, I can promise you there’s a really good chance that you’re voting yourself completely out of a job,” said Dover.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the sixth annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival Sept.12 and 13 at AJs Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. Nonnative, invasive lionfish have infiltrated state waters and are negatively impacting Floridas reefs and wildlife. Register for the Emerald Coast Open lionfish tournament. The 2020 Lionfish Challenge removal incentive program began May 22 and will continue through Labor Day, Sept. 7. LinksSupport Florida lionfish control programs by purchasing new Rep Your Water lionfish hats at Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

ABACO ISLANDS, Bahamas - A Florida pilot and his wife located dozens of missing villagers stranded in the Abacos after a tip from a News4Jax reporter. Justin Johnson and his wife Angela, a nurse, run Timberview Helicopters in Destin. News4Jax reporter Vic Micolucci was flying with the crew Tuesday afternoon when he spotted a large pile of debris in the distance. Over the weekend, the Johnsons and Lawson Bates, of Medic Corps, found 3 young girls stranded on the other side of a washed-out bridge. The helicopter team brought the sisters into their helicopter and flew them to their grandparent's house, where there were supplies and a generator.