Image
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Jacksonville Today seeks to include a diverse set of perspectives that add context or unique insight to the news of the day. Regular opinion columnists are independent contractors who are not involved in news decisions. Want to submit your own column on a matter of public interest? Email pitches to jessica@jaxtoday.org.
Featured image for “UNF basketball coach leaves for Kansas State after 16 years”
May 22, 2025

UNF basketball coach leaves for Kansas State after 16 years

Matthew Driscoll is credited with making the University of North Florida into a perennial contender.…

Featured image for “Former School Board chair won’t give up on library nomination”
May 22, 2025

Former School Board chair won’t give up on library nomination

Elizabeth Andersen has run into political headwinds for a role on the library board of trustees.…

Featured image for “National Hurricane Center forecasts above-average year”
May 22, 2025

National Hurricane Center forecasts above-average year

The Hurricane Center predicts six to 10 hurricanes this year with three to five of them becoming major hurricanes.…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach redesigns lifeguard station”
May 22, 2025

Atlantic Beach redesigns lifeguard station

The lifeguard station was upgraded for better response, but it maintains the original design from the 1990s.…

Featured image for “24 men accused of seeking sex with minors on the internet”
May 22, 2025

24 men accused of seeking sex with minors on the internet

The men were arrested in a weeklong investigation called Operation Rescue Our Children.…

Featured image for “‘Honey Dripper Lady’ eager to bring smiles to VyStar Ballpark”
May 22, 2025

‘Honey Dripper Lady’ eager to bring smiles to VyStar Ballpark

The Jumbo Shrimp will pay homage to the Eastside treat by playing as the Honey Drippers this weekend.…

Featured image for “U.S. flag retirement box set up at Jacksonville City Hall”
May 22, 2025

U.S. flag retirement box set up at Jacksonville City Hall

The drop box is accessible during City Hall business hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.…

Featured image for “Florida bear hunt planned in December, the first in a decade”
May 22, 2025

Florida bear hunt planned in December, the first in a decade

The controversial hunt could lead to 187 bears being killed. Wildlife officials could give final approval in August.…

Featured image for “In UF land-swap debate, city lawmaker pushes Gateway Jax to reveal investors”
May 21, 2025

In UF land-swap debate, city lawmaker pushes Gateway Jax to reveal investors

City Council began debate Wednesday on competing bills to acquire the former Interline Building in LaVilla for the University of…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | At the Ballet; My Story, My Song; Jazz Fest After Dark”
May 21, 2025

WHAT TO DO | At the Ballet; My Story, My Song; Jazz Fest After Dark

A live symphony-dance performance, a night of music and storytelling in Fernandina, and the Jazz Fest’s official after parties are…

Featured image for “Some Duval students will have to start paying for lunch”
May 21, 2025

Some Duval students will have to start paying for lunch

About a quarter of Jacksonville’s schools will lose a COVID-era free-lunch benefit in September.…

Featured image for “Winn-Dixie store in St. Augustine will convert to Aldi”
May 21, 2025

Winn-Dixie store in St. Augustine will convert to Aldi

The store in Shores Village Plaza will close Aug. 17 to convert to the Aldi format.…

Featured image for “Taproom and pizza restaurant will open soon Downtown”
May 21, 2025

Taproom and pizza restaurant will open soon Downtown

Pizza Dynamo and Pour Taproom could open the first week of June in the VyStar Credit Union parking garage.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s park system rises in national ranking”
May 21, 2025

Jacksonville’s park system rises in national ranking

The U.S. Trust for Public Land ranked Jacksonville’s parks 64th of the 100 biggest cities in the country.…

Featured image for “Fernandina seeks residents’ input on flood plan”
May 21, 2025

Fernandina seeks residents’ input on flood plan

The city is asking residents to take an online survey to help create “a more resilient Fernandina Beach.”…

Featured image for “Investigation continues into Baker Sheriff’s Office”
May 21, 2025

Investigation continues into Baker Sheriff’s Office

Gov. Ron DeSantis extended the appointment of State Attorney Melissa Nelson to investigate the department.…

Featured image for “Students design a sustainable Jax — with a Minecraft twist”
May 21, 2025

Students design a sustainable Jax — with a Minecraft twist

Teams from local schools used an educational version of the Minecraft game to rethink Downtown Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida”
May 21, 2025

Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida

The program, led by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, has been under scrutiny in connection with a Medicaid settlement.…

Featured image for “Florida remains hot. When will rain and storms return?”
May 21, 2025

Florida remains hot. When will rain and storms return?

The forecast shows some breaks, but more heat will return for Memorial Day.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville celebrates Florida’s Emancipation Day”
May 20, 2025

Jacksonville celebrates Florida’s Emancipation Day

Jacksonville’s Emancipation Day celebration came less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court heard an argument for overturning birthright…

Featured image for “Duval DOGE says it’s found $20M in unspent funds”
May 20, 2025

Duval DOGE says it’s found $20M in unspent funds

City Council member Ron Salem’s Duval DOGE committee says its savings is nearing $20 million as it starts a review…

Featured image for “Revlon closing Westside plant and cutting 127 jobs”
May 20, 2025

Revlon closing Westside plant and cutting 127 jobs

Layoffs will begin July 18 and continue for three months, the company said.…

Featured image for “Lawmaker promises more steps to protect lands like Guana”
May 20, 2025

Lawmaker promises more steps to protect lands like Guana

State Rep. Kim Kendall wants to stop deals like one that would have traded away 600 acres of conservation land.…

Featured image for “St. Johns Schools finds new superintendent close to home”
May 20, 2025

St. Johns Schools finds new superintendent close to home

The School Board on Tuesday chose Deputy Superintendent Brennan Asplen as its next superintendent.…

Featured image for “Councilman pushes safety upgrades on Baymeadows”
May 20, 2025

Councilman pushes safety upgrades on Baymeadows

City Councilman Joe Carlucci is pressing for improvements after a teacher and his son died crossing the street.…

Featured image for “Judge orders more help for Florida’s ailing manatees”
May 20, 2025

Judge orders more help for Florida’s ailing manatees

A federal judge required the state to go through a permitting process and to block new septic tanks.…

Featured image for “No more random boat inspections in Florida”
May 20, 2025

No more random boat inspections in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday that requires probable cause for law enforcement to stop and search boats.…

Featured image for “Proposal withdrawn for Guana conservation land swap”
May 19, 2025

Proposal withdrawn for Guana conservation land swap

The state says a proposed land swap deal that could have led to the development of conservation land near Ponte…

Featured image for “Cars to be released Wednesday from burned airport garage”
May 19, 2025

Cars to be released Wednesday from burned airport garage

About 1,200 vehicles were trapped after a fire Friday that spread to 50 cars and collapsed part of the garage.…

Featured image for “Teacher and his 1-year-old son killed while crossing road”
May 19, 2025

Teacher and his 1-year-old son killed while crossing road

Mitchell Patch, a math teacher at Bayview Elementary School, was killed trying to cross Baymeadows Road.…

Featured image for “A.L. Lewis fund expands grants as nonprofits face uncertainty”
May 19, 2025

A.L. Lewis fund expands grants as nonprofits face uncertainty

The A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity & Impact Fund will award two rounds of grants this year.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville zoo is now a botanical garden too”
May 19, 2025

Jacksonville zoo is now a botanical garden too

The zoo changed its name to the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens to reflect its emphasis on plants and animals.…

Featured image for “Cargo door popped open just before fatal Yulee plane crash”
May 19, 2025

Cargo door popped open just before fatal Yulee plane crash

A security camera showed the cargo door open on a Piper aircraft that crashed seconds later.…