Mike Mendenhall Associate Editor email
Jacksonville Today Associate Editor Mike Mendenhall focuses on Jacksonville City Hall and the Florida Legislature. A native Iowan, he previously led the Des Moines Business Record newsroom and served as associate editor of government affairs at the Jacksonville Daily Record, where he twice won Florida Press Association TaxWatch Awards for his in-depth coverage of Jacksonville’s city budget. Mike’s work at the Daily Record also included reporting on Downtown development, JEA and the city’s independent authorities, and he was a frequent contributor to WJCT News 89.9 and News4Jax. Mike began his journalism career at the Newton Daily News, where he was promoted to editor-in-chief and won the Iowa Newspaper Association’s Outstanding Young Iowa Journalist Award and the Harrison Skip Weber Investigative Reporting Award. A graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Mike is the rare combination-Star Wars/Star Trek fan. When he’s not writing, Mike is on the beach or camping with his wife Betsy and their two dogs Jovie and Nessie, enjoying live jazz or at the movies.
Featured image for “Former School Board chair won’t give up on library nomination”
Library board nominee Elizabeth Andersen, who's the CEO of Jacksonville nonprofit OneJax, seen here during its 2025 Humanitarian Awards ceremony on May 1, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
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 “In UF land-swap debate, city lawmaker pushes Gateway Jax to reveal investors”
The city land swap deal considered by the Downtown Investment Authority would see this 1-acre site next to the Main Street Bridge used for a 17-story mixed-use tower. | DIA
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 “Duval DOGE says it’s found $20M in unspent funds”
Jacksonville at-large councilman Ron Salem, who chairs the City Council Finance Committee. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
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 “Cars to be released Wednesday from burned airport garage”
Tony Cugno, chief operating officer of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, provides an update Monday, May 19, 2025, about vehicles trapped in a burned parking garage at the airport. | Mike Mendenhall Jacksonville Today.
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 “Who will manage stadium agreement’s $40M on Eastside?”
Renovation is beginning on EverBank Stadium. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
May 15, 2025

Who will manage stadium agreement’s $40M on Eastside?

A tentative plan calls for a nine-member board to oversee the Community Benefits Agreement with the Jaguars.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville council asks state DOGE to review city finances”
Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman | File photo
May 14, 2025

Jacksonville council asks state DOGE to review city finances

Aside from the legislation, the mayor’s office said it has been in contact with the state task force since March.…

Featured image for “Airplane maker could create 1,200 jobs at Cecil Airport”
The air traffic control tower at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 13, 2025

Airplane maker could create 1,200 jobs at Cecil Airport

City Council will consider incentives for a project identified only as Project Bluebird.…

Featured image for “Q&A | Sen. Tracie Davis reflects on Democrats in Florida”
State Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, recalls her 2011 abortion after sustaining an ectopic pregnancy. She spoke during a campaign event May 1, 2024, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2025

Q&A | Sen. Tracie Davis reflects on Democrats in Florida

The Jacksonville senator discusses legislating in the minority party, taxes, public schools and women’s health care.…

Featured image for “Q&A | Rep. Dean Black says property tax reform will take time”
Dean Black was Duval County GOP chairman when Republicans celebrated victories at the local and state levels on Nov. 5, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2025

Q&A | Rep. Dean Black says property tax reform will take time

As the Florida Legislature returns to session, the Republican lawmaker discusses taxes, charter schools, politics and more.…

Featured image for “UF seeks final agreement on graduate campus by June”
An aerial illustration shows what the University of Florida’s graduate campus in LaVilla could look like once it's all built. | Downtown Investment Authority/UF
April 24, 2025

UF seeks final agreement on graduate campus by June

The University of Florida’s plan to redevelop nearly 24 acres in LaVilla will head to City Council in May.…

Featured image for “Peace Memorial Park upgrades proposed under public-private partnership with Weaver family”
An illustration shows the proposed redesign of Peace Memorial Park in Riverside | City of Jacksonville
April 23, 2025

Peace Memorial Park upgrades proposed under public-private partnership with Weaver family

Contributions to the park revamp have risen with $735,000 from the family of J. Wayne Weaver and Ronald Morris Weaver.…

Featured image for “Proposed law could stymie neighborhood improvements”
The city of St. Augustine celebrated the legacy of George & Ollie Smith with the opening of a park adjacent to their Lincolnville home on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. George, and his late wife Ollie, welcomed people into their home during the Freedom Summer demonstrations in 1964. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 18, 2025

Proposed law could stymie neighborhood improvements

A law proposed in the Florida Legislature would end Community Redevelopment Agencies.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why doesn’t Jacksonville use AI on sheriff’s budget?”
A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office cruiser. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 16, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Why doesn’t Jacksonville use AI on sheriff’s budget?

A Jacksonville Today reader thinks the city’s test of artificial intelligence should include the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office budget.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville tests artificial intelligence in city budget process”
Mayor Donna Deegan presents her first city budget in July 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 11, 2025

Jacksonville tests artificial intelligence in city budget process

Jacksonville is one of the first cities in the country to use artificial intelligence to help draft a budget.…

Featured image for “Achievement unlocked: UNF esports arena gets $3M boost from city of Jacksonville”
A rendering of the planned UNF esports arena | UNF
April 8, 2025

Achievement unlocked: UNF esports arena gets $3M boost from city of Jacksonville

The city has awarded UNF’s esports arena project $3 million for the development of competitive video gaming facility in the…

Featured image for “Jax councilman wants state DOGE to audit city’s finances”
Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman addresses the Duval County Coalition of Black Republican Americans on July 25, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 7, 2025

Jax councilman wants state DOGE to audit city’s finances

City Council member Terrance Freeman has filed legislation volunteering the city for a state DOGE audit.…

Featured image for “Two Jax lawmakers square off on immigration law”
Jacksonville City Council members Nick Howland, left, and Jimmy Peluso discuss a local immigration law on The Florida Roundup on Friday, April 4, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 4, 2025

Two Jax lawmakers square off on immigration law

City Council members Nick Howland and Jimmy Peluso debated the new immigration law Friday on the Florida Roundup.…

Featured image for “More development planned in Downtown Jacksonville”
The Cathedral District Apartments would be part of a seven-story residential and retail complex at East Duval and Newnan streets. 
April 4, 2025

More development planned in Downtown Jacksonville

Downtown could add affordable housing in the Cathedral District and retail and a restaurant in Brooklyn.…

Featured image for “City Council asked to choose land swap over purchasing building for UF campus in LaVilla”
April 1, 2025

City Council asked to choose land swap over purchasing building for UF campus in LaVilla

The developer Gateway Jax is asking city lawmakers to fully consider a land-swap before deciding whether to buy the property…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Downtown Jacksonville: a short king”
March 28, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Downtown Jacksonville: a short king

Just how tall does Jacksonville’s Downtown stand? …

Featured image for “Council approves immigration crackdown, $8 million purchase option for UF campus site”
Jacksonville City Hall | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 26, 2025

Council approves immigration crackdown, $8 million purchase option for UF campus site

City Council has signed off on legislation that creates new local penalties for undocumented immigrants in Jacksonville and a slew…

Featured image for “JEA board votes to increase rates starting April 1”
March 25, 2025

JEA board votes to increase rates starting April 1

Customers, on average, will see a 3.7% increase in overall utility bills as JEA raises water and electric rates. .…

Featured image for “A full slate for City Council: immigration, garbage and more”
March 24, 2025

A full slate for City Council: immigration, garbage and more

City Council will consider a plethora of legislation during its meeting Tuesday evening.…

Featured image for “Immigration bill sails through committees toward Jax Council vote”
Photo: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
March 18, 2025

Immigration bill sails through committees toward Jax Council vote

Legislation to provide police more mobile fingerprint scanners and institute local penalties for undocumented immigrants is headed to the full…