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Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks has been elected president of the Florida League of Cities, putting a local leader at the head of the statewide organization. The 1st Special Operations Wing awarded an innovation agreement to the HSU Foundation, and the North Okaloosa Physician Group added OB/GYN Dr. Kristian Ramage in Crestview. The Emerald Coast Kickoff Classic recap covers takeaways from every area game.
MILITARY
1st Special Operations Wing awards innovation agreement to HSU Foundation
The 1st Special Operations Wing Contracting Squadron at Hurlburt Field has selected the HSU Family Educational Foundation for a five-year Other Transaction Award agreement aimed at rapidly designing, developing, testing and integrating capabilities that enhance the wing’s operational readiness.
The stand-alone, bilateral agreement provides a framework for the 1st SOW to address emerging mission demands through innovative solutions, according to a release from the wing’s public affairs office.
- To activate the agreement, the contracting squadron recently awarded the CATALYST Task Order, valued at $183,600. The task order funds a multi-week annual training program designed to equip participants with advanced skills in emerging technologies, programming and data analytics.
As part of the curriculum, students complete a rapid software development sprint to build, test and demonstrate prototypes using tools such as Python and Palantir Foundry to solve real-world operational challenges within the Air Force Special Operations Command enterprise.
The HSU Educational Foundation is a Fort Walton Beach-based nonprofit founded by Dr. Paul Hsu, an immigrant tech entrepreneur who came to the United States from Taiwan in 1976. The foundation’s stated mission is to promote excellence in teaching and encourage innovation, with programs spanning STEM outreach, cybersecurity education, drone technology and scholarships aimed at preparing local students for careers of global demand.
Click here to read the full story
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GAMES
WordroW: August 17, 2026
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
SPORTS
Emerald Coast Kickoff Classic recap: Takeaways from every game across the area
Thursday and Friday brought the kickoff classic to the area.
While Thursday night went smoothly, highlighted by the return of the Niceville-Fort Walton Beach rivalry, Friday was a different story. Thunderstorms rolling into the area shortly before several games kicked off wreaked havoc on the schedule.
The Freeport-Bozeman game was canceled, Destin and North Florida Christian got through only a quarter and a half before the game was called, and both the Choctaw-Bay and South Walton-Chiles matchups sat through lengthy lightning delays.
Weather aside, the kickoff classic revealed a lot about area teams. Here are all the takeaways from Reporter Travis Espy
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BUSINESS
North Okaloosa Physician Group adds OB/GYN Dr. Kristian Ramage in Crestview
North Okaloosa Physician Group has added obstetrics and gynecology physician Dr. Kristian Ramage, expanding the women’s healthcare services it offers in the community.
Ramage provides care for women at every stage of life. Her clinical interests include preventive care, prenatal and postpartum care, minimally invasive gynecologic procedures and the management of a range of women’s health conditions.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ramage to our growing team of providers,” said Mike Nordness, CEO of North Okaloosa Medical Center. “Her expertise and dedication to women’s health strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care for our patients and families in the community.”
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WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 111. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 83. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
POLITICS
Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks elected President of Florida League of Cities
The Florida League of Cities announced Friday that Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks has been elected President of the organization for the 2026-2027 term.
Franks, a lifelong Okaloosa County resident, was elected by the League’s membership and will serve a one-year term leading the statewide organization, which serves as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. He was sworn-in by Representative Patt Maney.
“It’s an honor to serve as President of the Florida League of Cities,” Franks said upon his installation. “As mayor of a small town, I understand that every city has its own unique opportunities, challenges, and story to tell. Local leaders are closest to the people they serve, and I look forward to working alongside city officials from every corner of Florida as we strengthen our communities and ensure local voices remain at the heart of local decisions.”
As President, Franks will help guide the League’s advocacy efforts and member engagement initiatives while championing the interests of Florida’s municipalities, according to the organization.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Monday! Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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Jared
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