Rick Outzen: (we don’t) color on the dog

My interviews this week with: UWF Women's Basketball Coach Stephanie Yelton on building a team in the modern era. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons on the bizarre Brinks robbery. Pensacola Mardi Gras CEO Danny Zimmern on the new parade route. Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender on his tips for prospective candidates. UWF Athletics Communications Director Will Kennedy on ho...

Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender discusses his recent candidate workshop and walks through the critical steps prospective candidates must take before qualifying, including pre-filing requirements, setting up campaign bank accounts, appointing treasurers, and navigating financial disclosure forms.

Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender joins Rick's Blog to break down the process of running for local office in 2026. Bender discusses his recent candidate workshop and walks through the critical steps prospective candidates must take before qualifying, including pre-filing requirements, setting up campaign bank accounts, appointing treasurers, and navigating financial disclos...

The transfer portal opened this week, and University of West Florida football is once again watching its roster thin out. With 11 players entering the portal as of midweek, the Argos are facing the harsh reality of modern college athletics: success means losing your best talent.

Will Kennedy joins Rick Outzen to discuss how the transfer portal is transforming UWF football. With 11 players testing the waters and D1 programs offering six-figure NIL deals, the Argos are navigating their new role as a development league for bigger schools.

Ryan Wiggins reveals the disturbing truth about Florida's child marriage crisis and her years-long battle to change the law. From 2000-2015, Florida had over 16,000 child marriages, with Escambia County ranking as one of the top counties in the entire country for this practice. Ryan shares the heartbreaking story of Sherry Johnson, married at 10 years old to her rapist, and exposes the shockin...

I interviewed this week: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons on a major drug bust, Operation Nottingham. Mayor D.C. Reeves on free parking during the "New Palafox" construction. State Sen. Don Gaetz on his bill to fix the state's school voucher system. UWF's Will Kennedy on the Argos upcoming football playoff game.

In this April 2025 interview, State Rep. Alex Andrade explains how a $10 million Medicaid settlement ended up in the Hope Florida Foundation, where it was quickly routed to a political committee fighting a marijuana referendum. Eight months later, we're waiting to hear what a grand jury investigation has uncovered.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discusses a busy holiday weekend that included a mutual shooting incident and an unusual armored vehicle theft, while also outlining his agency's technology investments and plans to add eight new deputy positions in the coming year.

Danny Zimmern joins Rick Outzen to discuss major changes coming to Pensacola's 2025 Mardi Gras season as the celebration marks its 25th anniversary under his and Amy Newman's leadership. With Palafox Street closing January 5th for the Reimagine Palafox construction project, Zimmern reveals the temporary parade route. The bigger story: how the Mardi Gras community is stepping up to support...

Rick Outzen welcomes Will Kennedy, the voice of the UWF Argos, to discuss the team's impressive playoff run and upcoming home game against Newberry. Kennedy breaks down how the Argos bounced back from their overtime loss to Valdosta, resolved their kicking issues, and dominated North Greenville in their playoff rematch

"Everything That Could Go Wrong" State Senator Don Gaetz discusses the Auditor General's damning findings on Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. With 30,000 students untraceable, public schools underpaid, and over $179 million paid in advance without accountability, Gaetz explains his bipartisan legislation to fix structural problems in the $4 billion voucher system...

Sheriff Chip Simmons joins Rick Outzen to discuss Operation Nottingham, a months-long multi-agency investigation that resulted in 22 search warrants, numerous arrests, and the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

This week, I interviewed: Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves about Project Maeve, UWF Women's Basketball Coach Stephanie Yelton about her team's historic road trip, Sheriff Chip Simmons about a horrific double homicide, Ryan Wiggins on her fight to end child marriages in Florida and Escambia County, United Way CEO Laura Gilliam on helping families struggling to put food on their tables, State Rep...

United Way of West Florida President and CEO Laura Gilliam joins Rick Outzen to discuss the organization's emergency relief fund established to help local families struggling with the loss of SNAP benefits following the government shutdown. Gilliam explains how the fund will support local nonprofits facing increased demand while their own resources have diminished, and describes a troubling ne...

In this episode of "We Don't Color on the Dog," host Rick Outzen sits down with Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons to discuss some of the most challenging and significant law enforcement operations in recent weeks. Sheriff Simmons shares details about a heartbreaking double homicide case involving two children that initially appeared to be a tragic trailer fire but was revealed to...

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves joins Rick Outzen to discuss American Magic's continued commitment to the city, ST Engineering's impressive job growth with $87,000 average salaries, and updates on the Reverb project at Community Maritime Park.

Sheriff Chip Simmons joins host Rick Outzen to discuss encouraging crime trends in Escambia County, with homicides down approximately 40-45% compared to previous years. Sheriff Simmons attributes the decline to increased staffing, advanced technology including real-time crime centers and license plate readers, and stronger community engagement. The conversation also covers the upcoming end of the...

Mayor DC Reeves has chosen longtime Pensacola native and former Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford as the city's new administrator. In this episode, Stafford sits down with host Rick Outzen to discuss his unexpected return to public service, his deep roots in Pensacola, and the remarkable transformation of the city since 2004. The conversation explores how Pensacola has evo...

Visit Pensacola CEO Darien Schaefer joins host Rick Outzen to discuss the exciting news of Pensacola being recognized as one of the top 10 best small cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 2025. Schaefer shares insights into what makes Pensacola special—from its pristine beaches and welcoming community to its thriving dining scene and year-round events. H...

The First District Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision on Sept. 10 in McDaniels v. State of Florida has transformed gun rights in the Sunshine State.  To understand the ruling's impact and its history, host Rick Outzen interviewed Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, attorney Chris Crawford and State Rep. Alex Andrade. Sheriff Simmons explains his constitutional approach to the issue, the co...

In this compelling interview, attorney Troy Rafferty discusses the controversial upcoming execution of Victor Tony Jones, scheduled for September 30, for the 1990 murders of a Miami-Dade couple.  Rafferty, who led the successful fight to establish Florida's compensation fund for victims of abuse at the state's notorious reform schools, argues that the state should not execute someone it he...

Following a recent appellate court ruling that effectively legalized open carry in Florida, State Rep. Alex Andrade joins host Rick Outzen to discuss the implications for gun owners, law enforcement, and the legislature. Andrade breaks down which restrictions still apply, the historical context of gun regulations, and what changes might be needed to provide clarity for both citizens and police. Th...

State Representative Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) joins host Rick Outzen to discuss the upcoming legislative session's most contentious issue: property tax reform. Andrade breaks down why eliminating homestead property taxes isn't as simple as it sounds, the potential unintended consequences for disabled veterans and seniors, and his frustration with Governor DeSantis's approach to the i...

Pensacola attorney Chris Crawford joins host Rick Outzen to discuss the groundbreaking McDaniels v. State of Florida case that resulted in the First District Court of Appeal unanimously ruling Florida's open carry prohibition unconstitutional on September 10, 2025. Crawford shares the behind-the-scenes story of representing Stan McDaniels, the strategic decisions that led to appellate victory,...