Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.
Featured image for “JSO’s new drones get to a crime scene before officers do”
Detectives Malik Daricaud, left, and Thomas Strickland pilot a drone in a re-creation Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The screen above them shows an officer finding a missing 15-year-old with autism. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
8 hours ago

JSO’s new drones get to a crime scene before officers do

The Sheriff’s Office is more than doubling the size of its drone fleet to 61, funded by the state.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County will ask governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes”
St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst are criminally charged in connection with a fake voter guide scheme in 2024. | St. Johns County
9 hours ago

St. Johns County will ask governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes

Three members of the St. Johns County Commission took a no-confidence vote against their peers.…

Featured image for “Upshot League announces inaugural championship location”
Charlotte Crown guard Jasmyne Roberts, right, backs down Jacksonville Waves forward Rennia Davis during the second half of the Upshot League inaugural game. Roberts scored 13 points off the bench to help Charlotte defeat the Jacksonville Waves 103-95 on May 15, 2026, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
10 hours ago

Upshot League announces inaugural championship location

The top two finishers in the Upshot League’s 2026 regular season will advance to the inaugural championship.…

Featured image for “Hamburger Mary’s closes in Murray Hill”
A handwritten sign posted on the door of Hamburger Mary's on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, says the restaurant has permanently closed. A For Lease sign hangs above it. | Heather Henderson, Jacksonville Today
10 hours ago

Hamburger Mary’s closes in Murray Hill

Hamburger Mary’s closed its only Jacksonville location last week, just over a year after it opened.…

Featured image for “JTA CEO Nat Ford selected as head of Dallas rapid transit system”
Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford speaks at the topping-out ceremony for the U2C Autonomous Innovation Center near Broad and Water streets in LaVilla. | Jeffrey Leeser via Jacksonville Daily Record
13 hours ago

JTA CEO Nat Ford selected as head of Dallas rapid transit system

Nat Ford had planned to retire from JTA in January, but the agency will now need a replacement sooner.…

Featured image for “Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach”
Cianna Bommarito co-owns Kava & Co. with her father, Giovanni, and says the business caters heavily to remote workers and young adults seeking a nightlife alternative to alcohol. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Today
14 hours ago

Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach

Kava & Co. offers alcohol-free drinks with optional infusions of CBD, kava and other boosters.…

Featured image for “Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget”
Renovation work continues Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at EverBank Stadium in Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget

The $587 million capital improvement plan would fund 132 infrastructure projects.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue”
St. Johns County is eyeing a $1.46 billion budget for the next fiscal year | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue

The county is considering a budget with a flat tax rate, but many people could pay higher taxes anyway.…

Featured image for “Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues”
A canopy of trees hangs over part of Mandarin Road near Brady Road in Mandarin. It is near the home of the man who named the community in 1830 — Calvin Reed. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues

The Mandarin Area Preservation Project will begin with two public workshops on Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville back-to-school giveaways”
Boeing collaborated with Communities in Schools Jacksonville, as well as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to giveaway backpacks and school supplies to Duval County students on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Students also participated in hands-on STEM activities during the event. | Submitted, Boeing
2 days ago

Jacksonville back-to-school giveaways

Duval County organizations will provide school supplies across Jacksonville ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.…

Featured image for “Local real estate firm secures funding for affordable housing portfolio”
2 days ago

Local real estate firm secures funding for affordable housing portfolio

JWB Real Estate Capital plans three projects — its first foray into affordable housing development.…

Featured image for “In home state, Moms for Liberty shows lackluster influence in school board races”
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024. | Mark Schiefelbein, AP file
2 days ago

In home state, Moms for Liberty shows lackluster influence in school board races

Moms for Liberty Florida has not made any contributions to local school board candidates across Florida.…

Featured image for “Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain”
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. acquired Maple Street Biscuit Co. in 2019 for $36 million. | Jacksonville Daily Record
2 days ago

Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain

Sixteen Maple Street locations will close, and Biscuit Belly will convert the others to its own brand.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Bertha forms in the Gulf; parts of Florida could feel effects”
Official track by the National Hurricane Center issued on Monday, July 20, at 8 pm EDT.
2 days ago

Tropical Storm Bertha forms in the Gulf; parts of Florida could feel effects

Wind shear will limit Bertha’s intensification, but strong winds are expected in the northern Gulf Coast region.…

Featured image for “Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget”
Mayor Donna Deegan, on stage at right, speaks at a town hall meeting on March 24, 2026, at Springfield Middle School. | City of Jacksonville
2 days ago

Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will meet with residents in August and September to discuss her budget priorities.…

Featured image for “Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, delivers her annual budget address Monday, July 20, 2026, with City Council President Nick Howland to her side. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges

The mayor’s proposed budget is heavy on infrastructure and holds the tax millage rate steady.…

Featured image for “UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes”
Ballot boxes at a voting booth. | Felix, rawpixel.com, stock.adobe.com
2 days ago

UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes

Support was weaker when the poll explained that tax cuts could severely reduce public services.…

Featured image for “Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman”
Alex Vindman (left) and Angie Nixon (right) seek to become the first Democrat from Florida elected to the United States Senate in 14 years. | Submitted
2 days ago

Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman

Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon face off in the 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Both hope to unseat Republican…

Featured image for “Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects”
Neptune Beach is exploring fees that could help pay for future capital projects. | Jacksonville Daily Record
3 days ago

Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects

The city would use the fees to help offset its investment in infrastructure needed for growth.…

Featured image for “As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics”
Congressman Byron Donalds at an event April 8, 2025, celebrating heroic veterans across a Southwest Florida community. He is running for Florida governor in 2026.
3 days ago

As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics

From political spending to data center debates, here’s how AI is shaping politics in this election season.…

Featured image for “Cyclosporiasis is in the Jacksonville area. What to know”
Amid a cyclospora outbreak, doctors caution that washing produce with water may not be enough. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
July 19, 2026

Cyclosporiasis is in the Jacksonville area. What to know

Cyclosporiasis cases are on the rise, including in Duval and St. Johns counties. Here’s what to know about avoiding (and…

Featured image for “Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community”
The Arbor Mill 55+ community in Oakleaf. | News4Jax
July 17, 2026

Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community

The woman inherited her father’s home after he died, but the 55+ community says she can’t live there.…

Featured image for “City’s first four-year medical school opens at Jacksonville University”
July 17, 2026

City’s first four-year medical school opens at Jacksonville University

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed about 75 students to its new medical school.…

Featured image for “$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research”
This 8,558-square-foot oceanfront home at 1185 and 1187 Ponte Vedra Blvd. sold for $20 million July 13, 2026, with proceeds benefiting The Sontag Foundation. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 17, 2026

$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research

Aerospace executive Rick Sontag donated the home to the foundation he and his late wife formed.…