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To reflect on the news of the day, Jacksonville Today seeks to include a diverse set of perspectives that add context or unique insight. Regular opinion columnists are independent contractors who are paid for their contribution and are not involved in news decisions. We also welcome guest contributors to submit on matters of public interest. Email column pitches to Editor Jessica Palombo at jessica@jaxtoday.org.
Featured image for “30 sailors and Marines injured off Jacksonville coast”
May 3, 2024

30 sailors and Marines injured off Jacksonville coast

A training incident involving two landing craft air cushions occurred about 100 nautical miles off the coast.…

Featured image for “UNF explains arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters”
May 3, 2024

UNF explains arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters

Sixteen pro-Palestine supporters were arrested late Thursday after ignoring school demands to leave before a 10 p.m. deadline.…

Featured image for “Florida’s finest: College grads share their inspiring stories”
May 3, 2024

Florida’s finest: College grads share their inspiring stories

Graduates from Northeast Florida and around the state tell about overcoming challenges to achieve their dreams.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Does beach renourishment disturb sea turtles?”
May 3, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Does beach renourishment disturb sea turtles?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders if sea turtles are at risk when beaches are renourished during nesting season.…

Featured image for “STDs hit record high rates in Florida”
May 3, 2024

STDs hit record high rates in Florida

Duval County recorded the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases in Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Pinstripes and Putshack may come to Town Center”
May 3, 2024

Pinstripes and Putshack may come to Town Center

The two national operators would offer bowling, tech-infused miniature golf, and food and drink.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs credit union bill in Jacksonville”
May 2, 2024

DeSantis signs credit union bill in Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s financial services industry could benefit from a bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Thursday at VyStar Credit Union headquarters.…

Featured image for “Carousel might soon return in St. Augustine”
May 2, 2024

Carousel might soon return in St. Augustine

One man’s journey to restore a carousel to “Carousel Park” got a step closer to reality Thursday.…

Featured image for “Fried crustaceans will lure thousands to Fernandina”
May 2, 2024

Fried crustaceans will lure thousands to Fernandina

Some 150,000 people are expected to attend the 59th annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival this weekend in Fernandina…

Featured image for “State Road 16 to close for work in St. Augustine”
May 2, 2024

State Road 16 to close for work in St. Augustine

The road will be closed Saturday through Tuesday between Lewis Speedway and Ponce De Leon Boulevard.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County to host public budget workshops”
May 2, 2024

St. Johns County to host public budget workshops

The county aims to make its budget-setting process more transparent this year by making public workshops more accessible.…

Featured image for “State defends North Florida congressional map”
May 2, 2024

State defends North Florida congressional map

Attorneys say a previous plan, creating a majority Black district, was illegally based on race.…

Featured image for “Kamala Harris assails Florida abortion law in Jacksonville”
May 1, 2024

Kamala Harris assails Florida abortion law in Jacksonville

The vice president said the Heatbeat Protection Act, which took effect Wednesday, stripped 4 million women of reproductive freedom.…

Featured image for “Florida’s ‘pro-corruption’ ethics bill sits in gubernatorial limbo”
May 1, 2024

Florida’s ‘pro-corruption’ ethics bill sits in gubernatorial limbo

For eight weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken no action on a bill that would make it harder to file…

Featured image for “Walmart is closing all 6 health centers on First Coast”
May 1, 2024

Walmart is closing all 6 health centers on First Coast

Overall, Walmart will close 51 health centers in five states that have not made money.…

Featured image for “St. Johns charity raises money to buy healthy food for seniors”
May 1, 2024

St. Johns charity raises money to buy healthy food for seniors

Pie in the Sky is auctioning off artistic birdhouses in its annual For the Birds fundraiser.…

Featured image for “7 things to know about Florida’s 6-week abortion law”
May 1, 2024

7 things to know about Florida’s 6-week abortion law

Florida’s new law took effect Wednesday, banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.…

Featured image for “ARTS PICKS | May 3-5”
May 1, 2024

ARTS PICKS | May 3-5

Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend. Saturday The Art of…

Featured image for “New Town residents question Duval Schools on proposed closures and teacher cuts”
April 30, 2024

New Town residents question Duval Schools on proposed closures and teacher cuts

The Duval School District may need to eliminate up to 700 staff positions.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine civil rights landmark wins $750,000 grant”
April 30, 2024

St. Augustine civil rights landmark wins $750,000 grant

Wade-ins at the St. Augustine Beach Hotel contributed to the passage of the national Civil Rights Act.…

Featured image for “Corrections officer among 17 charged in Duval jail drug ring”
April 30, 2024

Corrections officer among 17 charged in Duval jail drug ring

Sheriff T.K. Waters said investigators got a tip that corrections officer Kobe Collett was smuggling drugs into the jail.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville welcomes 40 new US citizens”
April 30, 2024

Jacksonville welcomes 40 new US citizens

More than 700 people watched as 40 people became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at First Coast High School.…

Featured image for “Rise plans to start rebuilding Doro apartments this summer”
April 30, 2024

Rise plans to start rebuilding Doro apartments this summer

The CEO of Rise: A Real Estate Company said the goal is to start construction about Aug. 1 with an…

Featured image for “Students, sculpture and fun come together at the Cummer”
April 30, 2024

Students, sculpture and fun come together at the Cummer

The Arts for All camp provides exceptional hands-on art experiences for students with differing abilities.…

Featured image for “UNF announces new fintech programs”
April 30, 2024

UNF announces new fintech programs

The fintech programs will position students in one of Jacksonville’s most prominent economic sectors.…

Featured image for “NAACP sets town hall meeting to discuss school closures”
April 30, 2024

NAACP sets town hall meeting to discuss school closures

The interim superintendent and School Board president will be at the town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the…

Featured image for “Duval school district rebuffs pressure to end relationship with Jacksonville Public Library”
April 30, 2024

Duval school district rebuffs pressure to end relationship with Jacksonville Public Library

Amid the national “book ban” conversation, Duval school officials defended a longstanding connection with the Jacksonville Public Library.…

Featured image for “Wells Fargo Center is now called 1 Independent”
April 30, 2024

Wells Fargo Center is now called 1 Independent

New owners are talking with two financial institutions about the name atop the building.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools could cut 700 teachers and staff”
April 30, 2024

Duval Schools could cut 700 teachers and staff

The Duval Teachers Union will try to find positions for employees whose jobs are eliminated.…

Featured image for “2 from Jax among protesters arrested at UF”
April 30, 2024

2 from Jax among protesters arrested at UF

Nine pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested late Monday after occupying a campus plaza for days.…

Featured image for “Voter registration groups scale back after new restrictions”
April 30, 2024

Voter registration groups scale back after new restrictions

A state law that took effect last July increased fines for voter registration groups, and some elections offices say they’ve…

Featured image for “Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect Wednesday”
April 30, 2024

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect Wednesday

Until the law changes, abortions are allowed in Florida up to 15 weeks. The change has people on both sides…

Featured image for “New committee seeks answers on Downtown development”
April 29, 2024

New committee seeks answers on Downtown development

Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem is creating a special committee to examine the work of the Downtown Investment Authority.…