This week’s top stories touch on new restaurants, getting through TSA security checkpoints at the Pensacola International Airport and Pensacola’s Keyla Richardson as she continues her “American Idol” journey.
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Pensacola International Airport at risk if shutdown continues
Federal officials have warned that growing Transportation Security Administration worker absences from the partial government shutdown could force small airports to close.
If Pensacola International Airport were forced to close, the city would lose $750,000 a week in airport revenue, according to city officials.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves stressed that the city has received no word that the federal government would close Pensacola International Airport and that the airport’s 110 TSA workers have so far continued to show up to work to avoid major delays that larger airports have seen.
New palm trees on Palafox Street stir passionate debate
New Palafox champions are defending the use of palm trees in the redesign of Pensacola’s most iconic downtown street, which caught many residents off guard when photos of the planting made the rounds on social media last week.
The trees are part of the $10.7 million project to transform Palafox Street with expanded sidewalks, new landscaping, brick-paved intersections, pedestrian safety features, and an upgraded stormwater system.
The Sabal palm trees have been part of the project since the first conceptual plans were released in 2024. At the time, the plan actually called for 21 palm trees, but with changes the number of palm trees was limited to 12 on Palafox Street and three on Intendencia Street near the intersection with Palafox.
Casey’s convenience stores to take over 10 Pensacola area CEFCOs
Casey’s gas station and convenience store is putting down roots in the Panhandle with plans to soon take over 10 former CEFCO Convenience Stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Casey’s, headquartered in Iowa, is popular in mid-size and rural communities across the Midwest and known for its handmade pizza and freshly made food such as sandwiches, wraps, salads and bakery items. Two-thirds of Casey’s locations are in areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer, according to the Casey’s website.
Casey’s will begin by converting Pensacola and Pace stores over the next two weeks, followed by locations in Gulf Breeze and Navarre in mid-April, Casey’s shared in a statement.
Keyla Richardson ‘American Idol’ journey goes on. Meet Florida native
Pensacola’s Keyla Richardson has a chance to make the “American Idol” Top 14.
In the March 23 episode, Richardson sang “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles at Ohana Round at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. America’s votes will determine the singers’ fate for the Top 14, which will be revealed on the March 30 episode.
On March 16, Richardson returned to Florida’s Panhandle for a watch party at Andy D’s on Pensacola Bay with her 9-year-old son, Drew, surrounded by family, friends and fans cheering her on in her “American Idol” journey.
As her journey continues, meet the Florida singer and find out how you can vote throughout the season.
Pensacola’s Atlas Oyster House, Fish House merging into one expanded restaurant
Pensacola’s Atlas Oyster House is closing its doors as part of an expansion of sister restaurant, The Fish House, the Great Southern Restaurant Group confirmed to the News Journal.
Atlas has been a Pensacola staple for over two decades, particularly famed for its Tuesday oyster special. However, some of Atlas’ menu items and events will carry over into The Fish House’s expansion project, which begins next week.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Top headlines: Keyla Richardson on American Idol, Atlas Oyster House
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
