Valerie Crowder

Valerie Crowder

Valerie Crowder is a freelance reporter based in Panama City, Florida. Before moving to Florida, she covered politics and education for Public Radio East in New Bern, North Carolina. While at PRE, she was also a fill-in host during All Things Considered. She got her start in public radio at WAER-FM in Syracuse, New York, where she was a part-time reporter, assistant producer and host. She has a B.A. in newspaper online journalism and political science from Syracuse University. When she’s not reporting the news, she enjoys reading classic fiction and thrillers, hiking with members of the Florida Trail Association and doing yoga.

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Former Lynn Haven Officials Indicted in Ongoing Michael-Related Corruption Probe

By Valerie Crowder • Nov 20, 2019

Two former Lynn Haven city officials are facing federal charges for allegedly paying two local contractors $5 million for Hurricane Michael cleanup that they never completed and then accepting kickbacks from those business owners.

Federal Corruption Probe Leads to 29 Indicted in Panhandle

By Valerie Crowder • Nov 17, 2019

A federal grand jury has indicted more than two dozen people in the Panhandle accused of illegally pocketing drought assistance money.

Panama City Volunteers Clean Up Storm Damaged Cemeteries

By Valerie Crowder • Nov 4, 2019

About 100 volunteers helped clean up neglected grave sites in Panama City on Saturday, as part of the city's first cemetery cleanup day since Hurricane Michael.

Mexico Beach Residents Commemorate First Anniversary Of Hurricane Michael

By Valerie Crowder • Oct 11, 2019

Hundreds gathered in Mexico Beach on Thursday to celebrate the community’s resiliency one year after Hurricane Michael decimated the small coastal town.

Reaction to Governor's Proposed Teacher Pay Raise Is Mixed

By Valerie Crowder • Oct 8, 2019

For the state’s largest teachers’ union, Gov. DeSantis’ proposed minimum salary increase for beginning teachers is “a starting point.”

Hurricane Michael A Year Later: Panama City Code Enforcement Starting Crackdown On Property Neglect

By Valerie Crowder • Oct 4, 2019

At least 90% of structures in Panama City were damaged in Hurricane Michael. One year later, city officials are about to resume code enforcement actions, and residential property owners say they’re ready for the city to begin cracking down on neglected lots that pose a health and safety hazard to their neighborhoods.

Mexico Beach to Get $1.1 Million for Fire Department

By Valerie Crowder • Sep 26, 2019

Mexico Beach is receiving the first grant from $25 million in state Hurricane Michael recovery aid that became available to communities in early September.

Tyndall Officials Discuss Rebuild Logistics at Third 'Industry Day' Event

By Valerie Crowder • Sep 12, 2019

Tyndall Air Force officials are working out how they will execute a years-long series of construction projects to rebuild more than half of the military base.

State Experiments With Telehealth To Treat Mental Illness In Schools

By Valerie Crowder • Aug 9, 2019

As part of a statewide campaign to increase access to mental health services, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced on Thursday that K-12 students in every public school across six Northwest Florida counties can receive virtual counseling and psychiatric care without ever leaving campus.