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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 “Torch Run raises $3,300 for Special Olympics”
2 days ago

Torch Run raises $3,300 for Special Olympics

The annual law enforcement run raised money for Special Olympics athletes who will compete at the state Summer Games in…

Featured image for “St. Augustine breathes life into neglected West City”
2 days ago

St. Augustine breathes life into neglected West City

The City of St. Augustine agreed April 22 to give some TLC to West City, a part of town that…

Featured image for “Jacksonville cop accused of crashing cruiser and fleeing”
2 days ago

Jacksonville cop accused of crashing cruiser and fleeing

Officer John Burr was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries. He has resigned from the Jacksonville…

Featured image for “Battling hate crime: City leaders aim to triple penalties”
2 days ago

Battling hate crime: City leaders aim to triple penalties

New legislation in Jacksonville could triple fines and jail time for people who commit hate crimes.…

Featured image for “Jax dog shelter is desperate for foster homes”
2 days ago

Jax dog shelter is desperate for foster homes

Animal Care and Protective Services needs foster homes for 60 dogs by Wednesday as repairs are made to the shelter’s…

Featured image for “Nonprofit may hold key to Duval literacy gaps”
2 days ago

Nonprofit may hold key to Duval literacy gaps

Students have improved their reading accuracy and comprehension after tutoring from READ USA, a literacy group based in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Six semifinalists picked for Duval Schools superintendent”
2 days ago

Six semifinalists picked for Duval Schools superintendent

Five men and one woman are semifinalists for superintendent of Duval County Public Schools.…

Featured image for “Video games could become a high school sport in Florida”
3 days ago

Video games could become a high school sport in Florida

The Florida High School Athletic Association is considering whether to sanction competitive video gaming, or esports, as an official sport.…

Featured image for “Mom’s emotional plea opens Victims’ Rights Week”
3 days ago

Mom’s emotional plea opens Victims’ Rights Week

Rose DeVoe spoke about her son’s slaying as Jacksonville kicked off events for Crime Victims’ Rights Week.…

Featured image for “That call you got from the IRS may be a scam”
3 days ago

That call you got from the IRS may be a scam

The number of impersonation scams reported in Florida has increased 84% per capita in five years, FBI data shows.…

Featured image for “One-way Downtown streets returning to two-way traffic”
April 22, 2024

One-way Downtown streets returning to two-way traffic

Construction has begun to reconfigure Forsyth and Adams streets as they were decades ago.…

Featured image for “Why some retired Floridians are returning to work”
April 22, 2024

Why some retired Floridians are returning to work

Many seniors are finding they must work to keep up with inflation, house prices, insurance rates and home maintenance costs.…

Featured image for “One benefit of ‘attainable housing’ in St. Johns? Less traffic”
April 21, 2024

One benefit of ‘attainable housing’ in St. Johns? Less traffic

High home prices are forcing St. Johns County workers to live further from where they work. That inflates traffic, experts…

Featured image for “St. Augustine in driver’s seat for Florida Museum of Black History”
April 19, 2024

St. Augustine in driver’s seat for Florida Museum of Black History

The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force named St. Augustine as one of its top three locations to house…

Featured image for “St. Augustine man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial”
April 19, 2024

St. Augustine man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial

The 37-year-old man scattered leaflets promulgating anti-government theories and then doused himself with an accelerant.…

Featured image for “Florida kids may qualify for free swimming lessons”
April 19, 2024

Florida kids may qualify for free swimming lessons

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill creating a swimming lesson voucher program. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson…

Featured image for “Ex-cop in sex case now faces federal charge”
April 19, 2024

Ex-cop in sex case now faces federal charge

Josue Garriga III, a former officer at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, is accused of using a cellphone to coerce a…

Featured image for “Black history museum backers escape bus fire on I-10”
April 19, 2024

Black history museum backers escape bus fire on I-10

No one was seriously hurt as the group headed to Tallahassee to lobby for a Florida Museum of Black History…

Featured image for “Plans for animal processing plant withdrawn”
April 19, 2024

Plans for animal processing plant withdrawn

Prestige Properties withdrew the application after dozens of residents in Northwest Jacksonville voiced opposition to the project.…

Featured image for “Costco wants to add fuel pumps at Town Center store”
April 19, 2024

Costco wants to add fuel pumps at Town Center store

The members-only club is proposing 12 fuel pumps with 24 fueling stations at 4901 Gate Parkway.…

Featured image for “Publix redoing stores around Jacksonville”
April 19, 2024

Publix redoing stores around Jacksonville

Publix Super Markets Inc. regularly renovates and rebuilds its stores. Here are two projects in the works in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Photography couple earns Miss Aggie award in Mandarin”
April 19, 2024

Photography couple earns Miss Aggie award in Mandarin

The award, named after one-time Postmistress Agnes Grace Jones, will honor photographers Olis and Jo Garber for their contributions to…

Featured image for “Politifact FL: Migrants were not secretly flown to Florida with taxpayer money”
April 19, 2024

Politifact FL: Migrants were not secretly flown to Florida with taxpayer money

A parole program for migrants from Latin American countries has been the target of misinformation online.…

Featured image for “Northside fuel depot a no, but search for new Jacksonville site raises explosive questions”
April 18, 2024

Northside fuel depot a no, but search for new Jacksonville site raises explosive questions

The search for a new fuel farm site could have countywide ramifications after a Northside proposal was withdrawn this week.…

Featured image for “Soccer group considers Sears site at Regency for stadium”
April 18, 2024

Soccer group considers Sears site at Regency for stadium

Sporting Club Jacksonville wants to acquire the closed Sears property for a new professional soccer operation.…

Featured image for “Hundreds of kittens land at Jax Humane Society”
April 18, 2024

Hundreds of kittens land at Jax Humane Society

The Jacksonville Humane Society is asking for the public’s help after an influx of kittens in the past month.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bill allowing chaplains in public schools”
April 18, 2024

DeSantis signs bill allowing chaplains in public schools

Parental pemission will be required for children to participate in counseling by volunteer chaplains.…

Featured image for “Douglas Anderson teacher accused of indecent exposure”
April 18, 2024

Douglas Anderson teacher accused of indecent exposure

Chris Allen-Black, an algebra teacher, was arrested in Orange County on the misdemeanor charge.…

Featured image for “Public offers suggestions to ‘reimagine’ Metro Park”
April 18, 2024

Public offers suggestions to ‘reimagine’ Metro Park

The city is seeking suggestions on how to develop the riverfront park into a “part of the everyday experience.”…

Featured image for “Berkman II auction may be back on”
April 18, 2024

Berkman II auction may be back on

A judge this week dismissed a bankruptcy filed by the Berkman’s former developer, which clears the way for the auction…

Featured image for “Classic motorcycle show rolls to new site at car museum”
April 18, 2024

Classic motorcycle show rolls to new site at car museum

The 24th annual Riding Into History Motorcycle Concours is set for Saturday at the Classic Car Museum of St Augustine.…

Featured image for “Home prices in Jacksonville doubled in just 7.9 years”
April 18, 2024

Home prices in Jacksonville doubled in just 7.9 years

Home prices have skyrocketed across the country lately, and a study by Point2 looked at where prices doubled the fastest. If you have…

Featured image for “Freed Jacksonville man sues after 44 years in prison”
April 17, 2024

Freed Jacksonville man sues after 44 years in prison

Willie Williams filed a civil rights lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Jacksonville, Duval County and detectives from the Jacksonville…