Ric Anderson

Ric Anderson got his first job in a newsroom as a teenager in the 1980s, and he's been in the news business virtually ever since as a news and sports reporter, news editor and opinion editor. A native Kansan, he came to Jacksonville Today after 11 years as an editor at the Las Vegas Sun.

Featured image for “First Baptist responds to concerns about LGBTQ stance”
January 30, 2023

First Baptist responds to concerns about LGBTQ stance

The church is requiring its members to sign a statement agreeing that marriage is between a man and a woman.

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Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY: More details on ADUs, please”
November 21, 2022

#AskJAXTDY: More details on ADUs, please

Q. After reading that the Jax City Council had extended the area where local homeowners can build and rent “accessory dwelling units,” which are basically small apartment-type casitas, Jacksonville Today newsletter readers Susan A. and Shanell D. had questions: Susan asks whether ADUs would have separate tax bills on top of the main home’s property tax bill and whether they’ll

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Featured image for “Northeast Florida Republicans carry the day in state Legislature”
November 8, 2022

Northeast Florida Republicans carry the day in state Legislature

As with their fellow Republicans farther up the ballot, GOP candidates for seats in the state Legislature dominated yesterday’s midterm elections in Northeast Florida. With the exception of districts in the core of Jacksonville, Republicans rolled in legislative elections across the region. Here’s how it shook out: State Senate District 4 Former State Rep. and Jacksonville City Councilman Clay Yaborough

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Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY: Where can recyclables be dropped off?”
November 3, 2022

#AskJAXTDY: Where can recyclables be dropped off?

Q: Jacksonville Today reader Marla P. has a problem when it comes to her household recyclable items: Her condo building in Jacksonville Beach only recycles paper. “I would be happy to bring my cardboard, plastics and glass to a recycling center, but I do not see any online that don’t charge for their service,” she says. “Is there no city

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Featured image for “National RSV surge hits Jacksonville”
October 28, 2022

National RSV surge hits Jacksonville

Respiratory syncytial virus — RSV — is surging across the U.S., and Jacksonville kids aren’t being spared. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, chief of infectious disease at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, says the hospital is “definitely in an RSV outbreak situation,” with more than 10% of patients testing positive for the illness. At Wolfson’s hospital and emergency centers, the number of cases rose

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Featured image for “Ian victims get help in St. Johns and Putnam counties”
October 3, 2022

Ian victims get help in St. Johns and Putnam counties

St. Johns and Putnam counties have been added to the list of counties where residents and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Ian can apply for federal assistance. The storm flooded Downtown St. Augustine, Vilano Beach and elsewhere. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell surveyed the damage Friday. FEMA has approved grants for temporary lodging, basic

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Featured image for “What’s next for the vacant MedMen in Five Points?”
September 8, 2022

What’s next for the vacant MedMen in Five Points?

The vacant MedMen building in Five Points could be on the verge of sparking back to life, ending years of dead space on the most visible corner in the popular Riverside shopping and dining district. Jeff Morr, who owns the building at 1059 Park St., says he expects the dispensary to open soon and be operated by the Fort Lauderdale-based

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Featured image for “Jax councilmen defeated in bids for Legislature, as House and Senate races all but decided in several local districts”
August 23, 2022

Jax councilmen defeated in bids for Legislature, as House and Senate races all but decided in several local districts

Two Jacksonville City Council members fell short in their bids to springboard to seats in the state Legislature in Tuesday’s primaries, while other candidates for the statehouse punched their tickets to Tallahassee. Voters chose former state lawmaker Kimberly Daniels over Jax Councilman Garrett Dennis in the Democratic primary for state House District 14 by a 47% to 33% margin, while

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Featured image for “PHOTO ESSAY | Hauling It”
May 3, 2022

PHOTO ESSAY | Hauling It

A driver shortage in Jacksonville triggered missed garbage pickups by the thousands. Through it all, the men and women who take away our trash go to work day in and day out. For Jacksonville Today, photographer Dennis Ho spent a couple of recent days documenting their work.

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