Casmira Harrison Reporter email

Casmira Harrison is a Jacksonville Today reporter focusing on local government in Duval County.

Harrison has a wide range of experience in more than 20 years in newspapers across Central Florida. From her beginnings as an ad designer at the Citrus County Chronicle to county government reporting at the Daytona Beach News-Journal and, most recently, as the editor for the Palatka Daily News, she enjoys all aspects of covering a community.

When she isn’t knee-deep in meeting agendas, Harrison enjoys playing guitar, riding motorcycles, traveling and seeking out truly outstanding restaurants.

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Are funds still set aside for Confederate monument removal?”
The Confederate statue is seen in Springfield Park prior to its removal in December 2023.
July 8, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Are funds still set aside for Confederate monument removal?

A Jacksonville Today reader asks what’s happening with the money set aside for Confederate monument removal…

Featured image for “Suit over Baker County Sheriff’s handling of ICE detainees awaits judge’s ruling”
The Baker County Sheriff's Office
July 2, 2024

Suit over Baker County Sheriff’s handling of ICE detainees awaits judge’s ruling

The ACLU claims detainees’ rights are being violated because of lack of access to lawyers and family.…

Featured image for “City Council OKs $1.4B ‘Stadium of the Future’ deal”
The Jacksonville Jaguars have proposed the team and city share the cost of renovating EverBank Stadium. | Jacksonville Jaguars
June 25, 2024

City Council OKs $1.4B ‘Stadium of the Future’ deal

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ $1.4 billion Stadium of the Future is a go. In a 14-1 vote, City Council on Tuesday…

Featured image for “JEA widens hunt for lead water pipes”
A JEA worker digs down to inspect a waterline. | JEA
June 21, 2024

JEA widens hunt for lead water pipes

JEA is carrying out new federal guidelines to eradicate lead contamination that could cause serious health problems.…

Featured image for “City Council slices community benefits from stadium deal”
City Council is nearing a vote on renovation of EverBank Stadium. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
June 20, 2024

City Council slices community benefits from stadium deal

Separately, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is considering land near Metropolitan Park for an “entertainment center.”…

Featured image for “Residents urge City Council to approve stadium deal with community benefits agreement ”
EverBank Stadium would remain the name of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium through 2027 under a proposed sponsorship extension. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
June 17, 2024

Residents urge City Council to approve stadium deal with community benefits agreement 

Dozens of Jacksonville residents spoke in support of a proposed stadium deal between the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars.…

Featured image for “No meaningful objections arise as City Council considers stadium deal”
Jacksonville Council President Ron Salem listens to a presentation about the Jaguars' stadium rebuild during a City Council workshop Wednesday, June 5, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
June 5, 2024

No meaningful objections arise as City Council considers stadium deal

In its first workshop to discuss a proposed stadium agreement, the Jacksonville City Council on Wednesday seemed poised to approve…

Featured image for “How the city wants to pay for the ‘Stadium of the Future’”
Mike Weinstein, right, Jacksonville's chief negotiator on stadium renovations, explains the stadium deal at a community meeting earlier this year. With him are Mayor Donna Deegan and Jag's President Mark Lamping. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
June 4, 2024

How the city wants to pay for the ‘Stadium of the Future’

The city plans to pay for its $625 million construction portion by redirecting revenue from a half-penny sales tax, passed…

Featured image for “Stadium operating costs: Current vs. proposed”
May 22, 2024

Stadium operating costs: Current vs. proposed

An analysis of current cost sharing on day-to-day stadium operations, versus those proposed under a new deal between the Jacksonville…

Featured image for “Cheers, skepticism at first ‘community huddle’ on Jags stadium renovation”
Philip Ayles speaks in support of the stadium deal at a Mandarin community huddle on May 15, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
May 15, 2024

Cheers, skepticism at first ‘community huddle’ on Jags stadium renovation

A little over 150 people gathered at Mandarin High School to participate in the the first “community huddle” on the…

Featured image for “Mayor, Jags unveil ‘Stadium of the Future’ proposal”
Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem listens as Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping pitches a proposed new agreement for leasing the city's municipal stadium. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 14, 2024

Mayor, Jags unveil ‘Stadium of the Future’ proposal

Mayor Donna Deegan, the city’s chief negotiator and the Jags’ president pitched the plan to rehabilitate and renovate the municipal…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Does Jacksonville get its money’s worth on EverBank Stadium?”
The city of Jacksonville has reached an agreement with the Jaguars to renovate EverBank Stadium. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
May 10, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Does Jacksonville get its money’s worth on EverBank Stadium?

With a new Jaguars deal pending, a Jacksonville Today reader asks about the city’s return on investment for the stadium.…

Featured image for “Florida’s ‘pro-corruption’ ethics bill sits in gubernatorial limbo”
General Counsel Michael Fackler advises the Jacksonville Ethics Commission about its opposition to recently passed ethics legislation. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
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 “Fuel storage plan may track west, to a different neighborhood”
This was the plan for a fuel storage and rail depot on a 101-acre property in Dinsmore.
April 25, 2024

Fuel storage plan may track west, to a different neighborhood

Dinsmore residents managed to drive away a proposed bulk fuel storage yard, but the plan could pop up in another…

Featured image for “Controversial San Marco storage project gets City Council OK”
The mixed-use storage project will be built at the site of the former Basil Thai restaurant. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
April 24, 2024

Controversial San Marco storage project gets City Council OK

The 10-story building will include affordable housing, retail and a self-storage element, much to the frustration of many residents.…

Featured image for “Northside fuel depot a no, but search for new Jacksonville site raises explosive questions”
This was the plan for a fuel storage and rail depot on a 101-acre property in Dinsmore.
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 “Southbank self storage, affordable housing plan wins over zoning committee”
A rendering of The Lofts at Southbank, a mixed-use development including offices, housing, self-storage and retail space.
April 16, 2024

Southbank self storage, affordable housing plan wins over zoning committee

City Council members on the Land Use and Zoning Committee meeting on Tuesday narrowly endorsed a rezoning request that could…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Will a remodeled stadium be climate-friendly?”
City Council is nearing a vote on renovation of EverBank Stadium. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
April 16, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Will a remodeled stadium be climate-friendly?

Both the Jaguars and the city have publicly pledged to include green initiatives and resiliency efforts into their agreement to…

Featured image for “At dawn of huge stadium deal, Jax commission sees ‘pattern’ of lax contract oversight”
TRUE Commission Chair Keshan Chambliss, left, listens as Commissioner Daniel Henry speaks on his concerns about procurement-contract training at a meeting of the commission on April 4, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
April 10, 2024

At dawn of huge stadium deal, Jax commission sees ‘pattern’ of lax contract oversight

Commissioners want to know how to help the city tackle what they view as repeated shortcomings in enforcing contracts.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville panel urges DeSantis to veto ethics bill”
General Counsel Michael Fackler advises the Jacksonville Ethics Commission about its opposition to recently passed ethics legislation. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 15, 2024

Jacksonville panel urges DeSantis to veto ethics bill

The Jacksonville Ethics Commission says a bill passed in the Legislature would gut its ability to root out wrongdoing in…

Featured image for “Randy White appears a lock for council president as Carrico, Boylan vie for VP”
Council President Ron Salem, left, and Council Vice President Randy White, right, listen as their colleagues pledge to support White as the next City Council president when Salem steps down July 1. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 11, 2024

Randy White appears a lock for council president as Carrico, Boylan vie for VP

Randy White appears set to take the reins as the president of the government body this summer. The race for…

Featured image for “What else could proposed stadium money buy?”
February 28, 2024

What else could proposed stadium money buy?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are negotiating with the city to split the cost of a $1.4 billion stadium remodel. What does…

Featured image for “Proposed fuel farm may be moved outside Dinsmore area”
Belvedere Terminals has encountered opposition in other areas of the state outside Jacksonville. This sign was posted in Ormond Beach. | Molly Duerig, WMFE News
February 23, 2024

Proposed fuel farm may be moved outside Dinsmore area

Belvedere Terminals wants to build several fuel storage hubs across Florida, but it has met stiff opposition to placing one…

Featured image for “Amid turmoil, Jax Housing Authority making moves”
Jacksonville Housing Authority Commissioner Andrea Reyes is see as chair of the transition committee that will oversee the search for a new CEO for the agency. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
February 19, 2024

Amid turmoil, Jax Housing Authority making moves

Before three high-profile departures, the agency’s former board chair decried “lack of direction” and “clarity about responsibilities.” …