Good morning, Panama City.

Donna Santiago was fatally struck by a car backing out of a parking space on April 3 while walking along Lisenby Avenue in Panama City, and her sons have continued justice walks to demand pedestrian safety improvements and a permanent tribute at the site.

Southwest Airlines announced a new fare lineup for Florida flights featuring four levels—Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice, and Basic—and will end its open seating policy in favor of assigned seating for flights starting in 2026.

The updated fares, revised bag fees, and changes to the loyalty program will begin in the third quarter as the carrier addresses falling demand.

A Panama City Beach hotel—Homewood Suites by Hilton PCB—that opened in 2022 received Hilton’s Award of Excellence as one of the top 5% of its brand based on guest ratings, cleanliness, and quality scores.

The hotel offers 131 suites, a pool, a fitness center, and complimentary breakfast for sports teams, business, and leisure travelers.

Bay County will honor local tourism workers with a monthlong celebration in May—organized to showcase tourism's role as the county's largest economic driver.

The events, open to residents and visitors, include a cookout on May 5, a golf tournament on May 16, and a cornhole tournament on May 20.

Sargassum, a naturally occurring brown seaweed, has been spotted on beaches since March and experts predict a record bloom this summer due to increased Amazon River flow after a drought — the seaweed supports marine life but its rotting mass may release gases that irritate people with breathing issues. Officials recommend caution near affected shorelines.

Cinco de Derby Celebration

4-7 PM — 30Avenue — Tickets available — Experience the thrilling fusion of the Derby and a Cinco de Mayo fiesta with a Big Hat Contest and piñata-smash fun.

20Th Century

Kaleidoscope Theatre - 207 E24th St, Lynn Haven - Ken Ludwig’s hilarious adaptation of the classic comedy by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur. The stakes are simple: will Oscar Jaffe, the egomaniacal Broadway director, con his erstwhile and glamorous leading lady, Lily Garland, into signing up for his next Broadway show? It should be a piece of cake, except that Oscar is bankrupt and Lily is now a movie star. It all takes place aboard the Twentieth Century Limited from Chicago to New York, so the clock is ticking.

Florida Hot Tub Expo

May 15-29 — Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County — Check pricing on various hot tubs and transform your backyard into a personal oasis.

May the Cards Be With You!

6:30 PM - 10:30 PM — 4728 Bylsma Cir, Panama City, FL — Bring a dish to share — Enjoy a night of card games with friends and great food.

Paint Night at House of Henry

6-8:30 p.m. — House of Henry Irish Pub and Restaurant — All materials included — Create strawberry vibes while sipping and painting in a fun atmosphere.

Corey Hall Live Performance

6 PM – 12 AM — Burgunbarrel — Check website for ticket prices — Experience the soulful sound of Gulf Coast musician Corey Hall blending blues and folk elements.

Night of Poets

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Panama City Center for the Arts — No refunds — Experience an evening filled with captivating poetry, music, and art performances that celebrate creativity and expression.

Seashells and the Sound of the Sea

5-6 p.m. — Bay County Public Library — Free entry — Discover the captivating history of seashells and their significance in nature and culture with expert insights from environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett.

Gulf Coast Jam Country Music Festival

May 29- June 1 — Frank Brown Park — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the vibrant country music scene over four days in beautiful Panama City Beach.

Jelly Roll Live Performance

12-4 a.m. — Frank Brown Park — Tickets TBA — Experience genre-bending songs from the rising star Jelly Roll.