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.

News
Le Petit Paris cafe expanding to third location
Owner Alex Chezaud continues to expand Le Petit Paris, the version of a Parisian cafe he launched in Jacksonville in…

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Here’s how local lawmakers voted on gun law changes
Democratic legislators from Northeast Florida voted against a bill that allows people to carry guns without licenses. Republicans voted yes.…

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More help coming for people with rent and utility troubles
Jacksonville City Council this week provided $2 million in additional money for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.…

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Historic silent-film studio is ready for public closeup
A museum dedicated to Jacksonville’s silent-filmmaking past, as well as an important piece of Black filmmaking, is almost ready for…

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Mayo Clinic gets $41 million grant for major Alzheimer’s study
Lessons learned at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville could lead to treatment or even a cure for Alzheimer’s.…

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Crew demolishes Capt. Sandy Yawn’s building in LaVilla
The Bravo TV reality show star demolished the century-old building with plans for a nautical-themed restaurant, despite concern from preservation…

Arts Picks
Arts Picks | Mar. 31 – Apr. 2
Flamingo topiaries, a new art exhibit and a music-and-art pairing are on tap for this weekend in Jacksonville.…

News
USS Orleck’s move delayed again
The Orleck was supposed to move to its new home in the Shipyards on Friday, but conditions won’t be right…

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Jacksonville considers $63 million medical examiner’s office
The medical examiner’s office has been cramped for years, and COVID-19 made it worse.…

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Volunteers in Medicine expands in new clinic
Volunteers in Medicine opened the Dorion-Burt Clinic in South San Marco to better serve working people who are uninsured.…

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Construction begins for new Clay County Regional Park
The regional sports complex will be the first of its kind in Clay County, with eight multipurpose fields.…

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It’s fair time in Clay County. Be safe, be patient.
The Clay County Fair is expected to attract 120,000-plus people from Thursday through April 9 at the Clay County Agricultural…

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VyStar Credit Union launches philanthropic foundation
VyStar launched a foundation that will serve as its philanthropic arm and support youth, military members and veterans.…

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Finally: Sugar Factory opens in Markets at Town Center
Sugar Factory opened in Jacksonville after multiple delays. It initially was planned for spring 2022.…

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UF Health gets $10 million from city for new trauma center
UF Health Jacksonville, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, also got $80 million from the state.…

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Jax tourism chief warns against Visit Florida cutbacks
Michael Corrigan, president and CEO of Visit Jacksonville, says local tourism groups could suffer if the Legislature cuts funding to…

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Artists commissioned for Jaguars’ new sports performance center
Six artists — including one from Jacksonville — will infuse the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new training center with public art.…

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Historic Ford Motor Co. plant is on the road to demolition
The property owner is signaling it will file a permit application to raze the deteriorating riverfront structure in the Talleyrand…

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EXPLORE: Duval Schools rejected these 34 books under Florida’s new laws
The district says the books “would not comply with new legislation or were not appropriate for elementary aged children.”…

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St. Augustine looks for ideas to improve parking
The city of St. Augustine is seeking public comments about blight, parking alternatives and areas of the city that lack…

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Police sergeant accused of smacking whistle from referee’s mouth
Sgt. Michael Russell, a 14-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, was charged with battery on a sports official at…

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New fire station officially opens in Arlington
Fire Station 65 will serve the Atlantic Boulevard and Arlington Road area, cutting response times to the neighborhoods around it,…

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Duval student loses appeal over teacher ‘kill list’
A state appeals court upheld the detention of a Duval County public school student who had a “kill list” of…

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Owners of troubled Northside motel hope to keep doors open
Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Gaffney Jr. and neighbors say the Home 1 Great Stay motel is a breeding ground for…

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Jacksonville seeks to halt redistricting appeal
The move indicates Jacksonville may be on the verge of settling with the NAACP and other plaintiffs.…

#AskJAXTDY
#AskJAXTDY: How does the election supervisor do his job when his son is running for office?
With his son on the Jacksonville City Council ballot this spring, here’s what Election Supervisor Mike Hogan can’t do.…

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Major road project coming soon on Arlington Expressway
The $26 million resurfacing of the Arlington Expressway, from the Mathews Bridge to Southside Boulevard, will take about a year…

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World War II vet jumps from plane to celebrate 98th birthday
Former paratrooper Vince Speranza joined fellow veteran Art Shaffer, owner of Skydive Palatka, for a tandem jump.…

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Yearlong road project will begin Tuesday on I-295
The Florida Department of Transportation will resurface Interstate 295 from Beach Boulevard to St. Johns Bluff Road. …

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Jaxport gets $35 million refund for harbor deepening project
The Jacksonville Port Authority received a $35 million refund Monday in unused payments from its harbor deepening project. The project…

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Jax airport buying $27 million in steel for expansion
The steel will be used for a new Concourse B at Jacksonville International Airport and for renovations at the security…

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Jacksonville police officer critically wounded in shooting
Officer Malink Daricaud was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after being shot outside a home on Ridgeview Avenue.…

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How Duval Schools’ book debate wound up on the floor of Congress
House Democrats pointed to Duval County as a cautionary tale in its opposition to a federal Parents Bill of Rights.…

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DeSantis signs reforms limiting lawsuits against businesses
The bill shields businesses from lawsuits blamed for driving up insurance costs. Opponents say injured people will find it harder…

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Drainage improvements coming in St. Augustine
The Florida Department of Transportation has set up an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. April 18 so residents can…

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Northeast Florida families challenge transgender rules
Families from Duval and St. Johns counties are among four challenging new rules that prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment…

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Aiden Fucci gets life sentence for killing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey
Fucci pleaded guilty to stabbing his classmate more than 100 times on Mother’s Day 2021 in St. Johns County.…

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Sunburn Cannabis opens this weekend in busy Five Points
Sunburn Cannabis is opening in the shuttered MedMen medical marijuana store at 1059 Park St.…

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Jaxport adds fifth MSC Mediterranean container service
MSC’s biweekly North European rotation services food and beverage, auto parts and forest products.…

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Massive expansion of school vouchers sent to governor
The Republican-controlled Senate passed the measure Thursday amid warnings from Democrats like Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville.…

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Details emerge about arrest of Douglas Anderson music teacher
Jeffrey Payne Clayton professed his romantic feelings for a student and kissed her, according to an arrest warrant released Thursday.…

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DeSantis spotlights civics education in Orange Park visit
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz awarded seven Clay County teachers $3,000 checks for completing a Civics Seal…

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Clay County jail is packed; a new one may be necessary
Sheriff Michelle Cook and county commissioners are discussing an enlarged law enforcement campus for the growing county.…

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Analysis: Where Davis and Deegan got their votes
Mayoral candidate Donna Deegan got support across the city in Tuesday’s election. Daniel Davis won on the Westside, Ortega, Mandarin…

Arts Picks
Arts Picks | Mar. 24-26
Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend. Friday Beaches…

News
LeAnna Cumber investigation forwarded to Ethics Commission
A special City Council committee investigated LeAnna Cumber’s role in the failed sale of JEA — and whether she was…

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Jacksonville lawmaker gets support for drag show crackdown
As the governor’s office cracks down drag show performances, a Senate panel approved a bill sponsored by a Jacksonville lawmaker…

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Douglas Anderson teacher accused of lewd conduct with student
Jeffrey Clayton, department head at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct…

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Baptist Health opens Heart Rhythm Center
The demand for heart rhythm care has exploded with the growing and aging population in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia,…

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Hotel revenue hit all-time high for February
Jacksonville hotels reported that demand for rooms in February was even higher than before the pandemic.…

Photo Essays
PHOTO ESSAY | March 2023 Duval Elections
Voters share why they participated in the March 2023 Jacksonville elections, which had just 25.6% turnout.…

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City Council: 6 incumbents and 3 new members elected as 6 races go to runoffs
With voter turnout of 25.5%, here are the results of the March 2023 Jacksonville City Council races.…

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Property appraiser race goes to runoff in May
Democrat Joyce Morgan, a City Council member, and Republican Jason Fischer, a former state representative, were the top finishers in…

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Deegan and Davis will face off for Jacksonville mayor
Democrat Donna Deegan and Republican Daniel Davis finished first and second in Jacksonville’s mayoral election Tuesday, sending them to a…

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High school tip leads to guns and four arrests
Operation Safety Net seized six guns, including three assault rifles, after a tip about an armed person at Westside High…

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BJ’s to hire 150 for North Jacksonville warehouse club
BJ’s intends to open its fourth Northeast Florida store at River City Marketplace, replacing the Regal cinema.…

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St. Augustine’s city manager retiring after 25 years
St. Augustine City Manager John Regan submitted his resignation Monday, effective June 2.…

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It’s Election Day. Have you cast your ballot?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone who is registered can vote, regardless of party affiliation.…

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Clay crimefighters get a view from above
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has new eyes in the sky. Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook says the county has…

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Hear what’s new at Jumbo Shrimp games
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will have a Virtual Town Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to share the team’s…

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Apartment construction set to begin at One Riverside
The city issued permits last week that allow construction on the former site of the Florida Times-Union, on the Northbank…

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Mayoral candidates split on Confederate monuments
Like voters themselves, Democrats favor removal of Confederate monuments, and Republicans would leave the monuments in place.…

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Apartment and retail complex taking shape near VyStar arena
RISE: Doro will include a 247-unit apartment building with retail space, rooftop amenities and a seven-level parking deck.…

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House passes major school voucher expansion
The bill would make every Florida student eligible for taxpayer-backed school vouchers — a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner…

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Hardwick riverfront high-rise hits delays
The developer of The Hardwick is considering adding a hotel to the project at the former Duval County Courthouse site.…

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Sheriff turns up the spotlight on cold cases
A new Cold Case Spotlight from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office seeks new tips to solve an old homicide — the…

News
No more breaks: You could be fined for giving money to panhandlers
With the grace period over, police can now enforce a new Jacksonville ordinance designed to stop panhandling along roadways.…

News
Teachers union challenges rules on classroom books
The administrative legal challenge seeks to force the Florida Department of Education to roll back its media specialist training.…

News
Armada and JAXUSL jockey in Jacksonville soccer landscape
The Jacksonville Armada soccer team plans to build a stadium on the Eastside, just north of the existing Sports and…

News
People feel safe in Jax, but approval of JSO is declining
A public opinion poll by the University of North Florida found that 87% of people feel safe in their neighborhoods.…

#AskJAXTDY
#AskJAXTDY: Are these traffic lights in Jax Beach ever turning on?
Traffic lights have been installed but not turned on in Jacksonville Beach. Why the months-long delay?…

News
Entertainment venues spreading along Bay Street
The Downtown Investment Authority board approved $1.655 million to renovate Live Bar, Myth Nightclub and Element Bistro + Bar.…

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Shad Khan’s company seeks foundation permit for Four Seasons
Iguana Investments Florida LLC must start vertical construction by Sept. 1 for the proposed Four Seasons Hotel & Residences near…

News
Removing Confederate monuments could become illegal
A proposed Florida law would block cities like Jacksonville from removing historic monuments from public locations, and cities could be…

News
What would you like to see in a Northside public library?
Community input is being sought at public meetings April 4 and 5 about a new library planned for New Berlin…

Arts Picks
Arts Picks | Mar. 17-19
Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his top 3 arts and culture picks for the weekend. Friday, Saturday,…

News
Local senator’s bill tightens home defect lawsuits
The Senate passed a bill filed by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, that shortens the time for residents to sue…

#AskJAXTDY
#AskJAXTDY: Will local mosquito spraying kill pollinators?
Will spraying for mosquitoes kill beneficial pollinators in Jacksonville, a reader asks.…

News
Mixed Fillings Pie Shop is on the move
Mixed Fillings Pie Shop will move from its original location in Riverside to a larger storefront in the heart of…

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Diamonds, cars and more: Sheriff auctions seized property
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is auctioning jewelry, a Ford Mustang, a Land Rover and a boat trailer to pay for…

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Jacksonville approves $20 million for new UF campus
City Council voted 16-1 to kick in the first $20 million toward a health and financial technology campus Downtown.…

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Suspect pleads guilty to killing 7-week-old girl
Steven Michael Strahm, 30, was accused of throwing Baby Scarlet against a wall.…

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Controversial Narcan machines installed in Putnam County
The vending machines are intended to fight drug overdoses, but some people say they enable addicts.…

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Historic Independent Life Building approved for renovation
Augustine Development Group of St. Augustine plans to convert the 19-story building into housing and commercial space.…

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U.S. 301 south of Baldwin puts drivers on new FDOT test road
A 4-mile stretch of U.S. 301 south of Baldwin is a test site for new concrete road designs — and…

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Second cop on DEA task force faces drug charges
Former Nassau County sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Hickox has been charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.…

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Total Wine expanding into space next door
Total Wine will take over the space vacated by Loop Pizza Grill at St. Johns Town Center North.…

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One week until Election Day; 8% have already voted
Almost 53,000 people had voted in Duval County’s election as of Tuesday morning.…

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Duval Schools pushes back against DeSantis on schoolbooks
The district disputes the governor’s contention that it tried to make the state look bad by pulling books from shelves.…

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Oaxaca Club will open March 20 in Jacksonville Beach
Partners in Southern Grounds & Co. and other concepts developed The Oaxaca Club, a new restaurant focused on Latin cuisine.…

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Jacksonville jobs growing in almost all sectors
Jacksonville’s unemployment rate rose slightly in January, but that’s normal when businesses let holiday workers go.…

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Veteran state trooper arrested on drug charges
Investigators say Trooper Joshua Earrey became addicted to oxycodone for back pain and bought drugs from an undercover informant.…

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Suspended driver’s license? Get it back with Operation Green Light
Drivers can avoid some fees through Operation Green Light in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. John’s counties.…

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Restaurant and lounge proposed for Five Points
The founders of Roost Restaurants LLC, which opened The Local in Miramar and Neptune Beach, are proposing what is called…

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Surprise: Home sales are rising in Northeast Florida
The increase indicates that buyers are confident despite high prices and a relative shortage of homes on the market.…

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Victory Park saved after residents discover deed
Arlington residents discovered a 32-year-old deed that blocks plans for a child learning center on the property — plans the…

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In Jacksonville, far-right groups look to seize the moment
A group has been projecting hate symbols onto Downtown Jacksonville buildings, aiming to capitalize on what they see as a…

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Shooter pleads guilty in slaying of Nassau County deputy
Patrick Rene McDowell faces a death sentence after Deputy Joshua Moyers was shot to death during a traffic stop in…

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Daily’s in LaVilla gets initial design approval
Bold City Brewery plans to move its Downtown operations to the Daily’s site and add a restaurant.…