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To reflect on the news of the day, Jacksonville Today seeks to include a diverse set of perspectives. These opinion columnists are independent contractors who are paid for their contributions and are not involved in news decisions.
Featured image for “Glowing blue obelisk dedicated as public art at JU main gate”
September 20, 2023

Glowing blue obelisk dedicated as public art at JU main gate

The Obelisk in front of Jacksonville University was officially dedicated as a public art piece on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.…

Featured image for “Public-private partnership OKd to manage The Amp, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall”
September 20, 2023

Public-private partnership OKd to manage The Amp, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

St. Johns County’s two best-known concert venues will now be operated by a nonprofit, after commissioners approved a public-private partnership…

Featured image for “Gateway Jax launches plans for Downtown development that could reach $2B”
September 20, 2023

Gateway Jax launches plans for Downtown development that could reach $2B

A $500 million mixed-used development in Downtown Jacksonville with apartments and a grocery store is Phase 1 of a project…

Featured image for “Three South Jacksonville hotels being transformed into apartments”
September 20, 2023

Three South Jacksonville hotels being transformed into apartments

Two troubled hotels off Baymeadows Road and one near University and Bowden are being turned into apartments averaging $1,000 to…

Featured image for “Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium”
September 19, 2023

Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium

Though she likes city ownership of EverBank Stadium, Mayor Donna Deegan says all options are being considered at negotiations begin.…

Featured image for “Going to St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Fest this weekend?”
September 19, 2023

Going to St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Fest this weekend?

Parking and road closure info for the 2023 Sing Out Loud Festival in St. Augustine…

Featured image for “Proposed tax on restaurants might be toast after Jax City Council committee withdraws bill”
September 19, 2023

Proposed tax on restaurants might be toast after Jax City Council committee withdraws bill

A proposal to impose a new tax on Jacksonville restaurants and hotels to help the homeless population has hit a…

Featured image for “DeSantis celebrates first responder bonuses with Jacksonville firefighters and police”
September 18, 2023

DeSantis celebrates first responder bonuses with Jacksonville firefighters and police

Florida’s governor joined police and fire fighters in Jacksonville to talk about the state’s first responder bonuses.…

Featured image for “Gov. DeSantis awards Clay County over $3.5M infrastructure grant”
September 18, 2023

Gov. DeSantis awards Clay County over $3.5M infrastructure grant

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday awarded more than $3.5 million to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners through the…

Featured image for “UNF poll: 51% say Jags should pay for stadium renovation with no city funding”
September 18, 2023

UNF poll: 51% say Jags should pay for stadium renovation with no city funding

Just over half of those polled oppose using public money on stadium upgrades, but support goes up when faced with…

Featured image for “Jaguars to host Community Huddles on stadium plans in Nassau and St. Johns counties this week”
September 18, 2023

Jaguars to host Community Huddles on stadium plans in Nassau and St. Johns counties this week

Negotiations on the new stadium are set to begin soon, and the team is asking to split the cost to…

Featured image for “Historic cars and historic fort unite for fundraiser”
September 18, 2023

Historic cars and historic fort unite for fundraiser

Visitors will pack Fort Clinch on Saturday to see an estimated 60 vintage and classic cars. The event supports the…

Featured image for “Camden County acquittal raises questions about police”
September 15, 2023

Camden County acquittal raises questions about police

A jury acquitted Varshan Brown of murder after sheriff’s deputies shot and killed his cousin while serving a search warrant.…

Featured image for “Dreamette expanding in Northwest Jacksonville”
September 15, 2023

Dreamette expanding in Northwest Jacksonville

The shop’s operator says it will help fill a shortage of food and entertainment options on the growing Northside.…

Featured image for “Just in time, EverBank name goes up on Jags’ stadium”
September 15, 2023

Just in time, EverBank name goes up on Jags’ stadium

Signs beaming the stadium’s new name — EverBank Stadium — were going up Friday, two days before the Jaguars’ first…

Featured image for “Sewage spill puts Pottsburg Creek off limits”
September 15, 2023

Sewage spill puts Pottsburg Creek off limits

JEA warned people in the area against fishing or recreation in the affected waters. Drinking water is not affected.…

Featured image for “San Marco Theatre work approved for two storefronts”
September 15, 2023

San Marco Theatre work approved for two storefronts

The city issued permits to divide the space for Iguana San Marco and Missy Riley Art & Pieces.…

Featured image for “Over 100,000 new students got Florida school vouchers”
September 15, 2023

Over 100,000 new students got Florida school vouchers

A total of 242,929 students have enrolled in 2,098 private schools using vouchers through the state’s expanded programs.…

Featured image for “Proposed food and beverage tax sparks early debate”
September 14, 2023

Proposed food and beverage tax sparks early debate

A proposed 1% tax on food and drinks would fund anti-homelessness programs in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Trucker accused of moving stolen fuel in Nassau County”
September 14, 2023

Trucker accused of moving stolen fuel in Nassau County

The man was arrested with hundreds of gallons of fuel after he drove past an inspection station on Interstate 95.…

Featured image for “ARTS PICKS | Sept. 15-17”
September 14, 2023

ARTS PICKS | Sept. 15-17

Visual arts in LaVilla, music at Jacksonville Beach and a new atrium exhibit at Downtown’s MOCA are this weekend’s Arts…

Featured image for “Florida bucks feds on COVID-19 boosters”
September 14, 2023

Florida bucks feds on COVID-19 boosters

In a continued clash with federal health officials, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recommends against the new booster for anyone younger…

Featured image for “UF Health completes merger with Flagler Health+”
September 14, 2023

UF Health completes merger with Flagler Health+

The merger results in two name changes. Flagler Health+ is now known as UF Health St. Johns, and Flagler Hospital…

Featured image for “POW/MIA Day events honor missing military members”
September 14, 2023

POW/MIA Day events honor missing military members

Speakers will include Meghan Wagner, daughter of Navy Capt. Scott Speicher, the first American combat casualty of the Iraq War.…

Featured image for “Builder defends work on collapsed parking garage”
September 14, 2023

Builder defends work on collapsed parking garage

Batson-Cook Construction built the parking deck that partly collapsed Tuesday in Riverside.…

Featured image for “Private schools take up fight against Black history standards”
September 14, 2023

Private schools take up fight against Black history standards

Florida’s private schools are not bound by the same controversial standards as public schools. Many are preserving lessons rich in…

Featured image for “Imagine EverBank Stadium swamped in floodwaters”
September 13, 2023

Imagine EverBank Stadium swamped in floodwaters

Climate Central, a nonprofit group, is simulating how rising sea levels could endanger well-known landmarks, including several in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Florida’s education policies chase away college faculty”
September 13, 2023

Florida’s education policies chase away college faculty

Nearly half of the 642 Florida faculty surveyed said they plan to seek employment in another state within the next…

Featured image for “Clay County leads state in removed schoolbooks”
September 13, 2023

Clay County leads state in removed schoolbooks

More than 300 books have been removed from Florida school districts in the last year, and Clay County had the…

Featured image for “Suspect in San Marco murders killed himself the next day”
September 13, 2023

Suspect in San Marco murders killed himself the next day

Ty Christopher Head, 22, shot and killed two women at a rail crossing on Hendrick’s Avenue, police said.…

Featured image for “Contractor admits accidental paint spill on I-95”
September 13, 2023

Contractor admits accidental paint spill on I-95

Acme Barricades has agreed to help remove a stripe that runs 22 miles across Duval and St. Johns counties, according…

Featured image for “Sheriff’s Office unit moving to Florida Blue tower”
September 13, 2023

Sheriff’s Office unit moving to Florida Blue tower

The Homeland Security Division is currently housed at 711 N. Liberty St., in a building that is too small for…

Featured image for “Volunteers sought for Saturday’s Coastal Cleanup”
September 13, 2023

Volunteers sought for Saturday’s Coastal Cleanup

Cleanups are planned Saturday at all along Jacksonville’s ocean- and riverfront shorelines.…