Katie Bente
MultiMedia Journalist
Panama City Beach
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Katie Bente joined WJHG/WECP as a multi-media journalist in December of 2020.
Katie was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. While at UM, Katie was greatly involved in her award-winning campus TV station, UMTV. She anchored and reported for the weekly newscast, as well as hosted and produced the bi-weekly entertainment segment “What’s Pumping?” on Instagram TV Live.
Before joining the WJHG team, Katie worked as an editor at WSVN 7News in Miami Beach.
Now that she’s living in Panama City Beach, Katie is looking forward to continuing her career in the beautiful sunshine state. When she’s not in the newsroom, you’ll probably find her on the beach or at a local coffee shop. When you see her out, make sure to say hi!
Updated: Mar. 10, 2023 at 6:52 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The St. joe Company is making more room for people looking to visit the panhandle. The company has a handful of brand new hotels in the works, one of them being a massive Embassy Suites located right in the heart of Panama City Beach.
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 7:22 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The board of commissioners held a closed executive session last month to talk about this case, which involves nearly 1,200 private properties.
Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 7:10 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Hearing that there are coyotes at the beach might sound a little strange. But wildlife experts told NewsChannel 7 it really isn’t.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 6:58 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Panama City Police officers now have a stealthier way to get around on the roads.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 6:51 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Colleges and universities across the country have been facing a huge decline in enrollments since the pandemic. But on the other side of things, a local trade school is seeing record-high numbers.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 9:26 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Finding parking during peak season in South Walton can be a real pain. But the idea of making your own spot won’t be tolerated moving forward.
Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 9:58 AM CST
|By WJHG Newsroom and Katie Bente
The remains were found in the woods by a bystander west of the West End Bay County Fire Department.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 7:55 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Single red flags were flying at many local beaches over the weekend, warning swimmers of high surf hazards and dangerous rip currents. On Saturday, those intense water conditions in the Gulf left one dead and another in critical condition.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 7:11 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The city’s spring break laws go into effect next month, and council members were discussing a few changes at Thursday’s meeting, as well as putting in an additional ordinance for safety reasons.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 6:49 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
D-Bat works to train players of all levels, with more than 100 facilities nationwide.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 6:01 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Port officials tell NewsChannel 7 they have high hopes and a new master plan underway.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 11:36 AM CST
|By WJHG Newsroom and Katie Bente
We will continue to update you more on the Steelfield Fire as more information becomes available.
Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 8:49 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation opened up eastbound travel on the new State Road 388, connecting State Road 79 to State Road 77.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 8:52 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
More people are dying from drug overdoses than car crashes every year. That’s according to Governor Ron DeSantis, who stood beside First Lady Casey DeSantis on Friday at a news conference in Destin.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 8:26 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Wednesday, both the WaterColor Inn & Resort and The Pearl Hotel were recognized in Forbes Travel Guide, the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 9:41 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The Billfish Tournament is coming back with a bang and a big fat bonus.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 8:23 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Data shows visitors spent a whopping $3.1 billion throughout the fiscal year 2022.
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023 at 8:17 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
It’s been more than four years since anyone’s strolled through the mall and still, there are no signs of redevelopment.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 8:59 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Thursday, the Bay Health Foundation presented a $500,000 check to 14 local health and medical groups.
Updated: Feb. 8, 2023 at 6:03 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
With March just a few weeks away, Panama City Beach Police held a joint press conference Wednesday to remind spring breakers that we may have a real fun beach, but we do not have a real fun jail.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2023 at 8:07 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
As part of the city’s CRA project, the more than half a mile stretch will be getting some big improvements.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 8:35 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
In honor of Black History Month, the museum is once again bringing out its Massalina Family exhibit.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2023 at 8:30 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The LEAD Coalition continues to showcase its resiliency to this day with plans to host a handful of events and programs in the upcoming weeks.
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 9:55 AM CST
|By WJHG Newsroom and Katie Bente
WCSO and surrounding counties are experiencing connectivity issues with hard lines and 9-1-1. Officials say if the line is disconnected, call back.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 8:24 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
After two hours of deliberations, the jury found 58-year-old Charles Wesley Strickland guilty of second-degree felony murder and the destruction of, tampering with, or fabricating physical evidence.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 9:47 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Many assume when they hear “small beach town,” it must be a doors unlocked, safe area. While Panama City Beach isn’t a bustling city like Miami, it isn’t kept in a bubble either.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 5:35 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Last week, Panama City Beach approved a more than $1 million project to replace the lights on the festival grounds at Frank Brown Park.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 at 10:48 AM CST
|By WJHG Newsroom and Katie Bente
Superintendent Bill Husfelt has announced his retirement later this year.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 8:19 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his proposal for a record investment aimed to alleviate traffic across the sunshine state. A whopping $7 billion would be going towards 20 priority projects, including one in Panama City Beach.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 8:58 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
To make sure you can dress the part, CareerSource Gulf Coast is giving out free business attire as part of its Suit Up for Success event.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 8:20 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
PCB Coins & Cards raised more than $2,000 for Project 25, a toy drive run by the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 8:18 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Over the past few weeks, they’re been putting in the work and adding what officials said are much-needed improvements to Rick Seltzer Park.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 5:25 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Beginning Monday, Bay County Utility Services (BCUS) will be trialing a different chemical to clean the area’s drinking water. It’s a two-week pilot program approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 8:20 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Living options continue to expand, with Residences at SweetBay holding its grand opening Thursday. The complex is comprised of six buildings, with 360 apartment units in total.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 8:33 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Janice Lucas is looking to take Kenneth Brown’s Ward II seat in the upcoming election.
Updated: Jan. 18, 2023 at 7:03 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Ever since nature closed up the East Pass, not once, but twice, many have been looking forward to Bay County’s plan of reopening it.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 8:11 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
At an event called “Prescribing Freedom” in Panama City Beach on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced new initiatives to block Covid related medical mandates.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 8:08 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Panama City Beach will soon be home to the most comprehensive health education campus in the area.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 6:48 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The roundabout is now open to traffic flow moving in both directions. North and southbound traffic on SR 79 or Arnold Road will use the east half of the old “y” to access Front Beach Road.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2023 at 6:47 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
ACURE and the city of Lynn Haven teamed up to host the 35th annual MLK Festival at Sharon Sheffield Park.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 6:51 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
After last year’s roller-coaster housing market, with prices climbing quickly and high, many are wondering what’s in store for 2023. Will what went up come down?
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 11:42 AM CST
|By Katie Bente and WJHG Newsroom
A new location is opening up in Panama City Beach for all the local golf-lovers!
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 6:53 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
With more cars on the roads and more people on the sand, Panama City Beach just keeps growing. Mayor Mark Sheldon said they’re doing what they can to expand along with it.
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 6:10 AM CST
|By WJHG Newsroom, Katie Bente and Allison Baker
Police are investigating after a shooting at a Panama City nightclub.
Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 at 6:49 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Tourism leaders said just four events brought in a whopping $80 million to our area. That’s not to outshine the Publix Sports Complex though, which brought in roughly $139 million last year alone.
Updated: Jan. 9, 2023 at 7:01 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The conceptual map shows the roadway lining up very close to some homes in the Breakfast Point neighborhood, but county officials tell NewsChannel 7 that conceptual is all it is right now.
Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 at 5:57 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Panama City Beach kicked off 2023 with a bang, hosting its annual Ball Drop in Pier Park. But the city won’t be slowing down this year.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 6:30 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
Most of us have felt the pinch this past year with rising prices and steep interest rates. But is it the same for the 1%, the ultra-wealthy?
Updated: Jan. 4, 2023 at 8:05 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
NewsChannel 7 sat down with Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews Wednesday to see what drug activity looks like in more rural areas.
Updated: Jan. 3, 2023 at 9:41 PM CST
|By Katie Bente
The St. Joe Company is making sure there’s plenty to be excited for this year, with multiple projects underway in both Bay and Walton Counties.
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