news

Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.

Featured image for “Supreme Court won’t reinstate Florida’s immigration law”

Gov. Ron DeSantis discusses illegal immigration during a news conference Jan. 23, 2025, in Jacksonville. He is flanked by Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, and Sheriff T.K. Waters. | Ron DeSantis, Facebook

Supreme Court won’t reinstate Florida’s immigration law

Jacksonville modeled its own immigration law after the state law, which remains the subject of a court battle.…

By Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Zoo sends 24,000 endangered tadpoles to Puerto Rico”

These tadpoles will develop into Puerto Rican crested toads, which are critically endangered. | Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Zoo sends 24,000 endangered tadpoles to Puerto Rico

The zoo has devoted years to helping the Puerto Rican crested toad rebound from the brink of extinction.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Judge strikes key part of Florida’s ballot initiatives law”

Judge strikes key part of Florida’s ballot initiatives law

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker gave hope to groups proposing marijuana and Medicaid issues.…

By Dara Kam - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Carnival Cruise Line embarks on putting teens to work”

The Carnival Elation loads up its thousands of passengers for a four-night sail out of Jacksonville on July 3, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

Carnival Cruise Line embarks on putting teens to work

For the first time, the cruise line is using teenage interns to help guide passengers in Jacksonville’s cruise terminal.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Man dead after Jacksonville’s 10th officer shooting of 2025”

Police investigate an officer shooting incident near Soutel Drive that left a 20-year-old man dead after an armed robbery, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. | News4Jax

Man dead after Jacksonville’s 10th officer shooting of 2025

A police officer shot a man to death after an armed robbery at a store in the Brentwood area.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Johns County firefighters push for work-life balance”

St. Johns County firefighters say 56-hour workweeks are putting them under increasing strain. | News4Jax

St. Johns County firefighters push for work-life balance

Firefighters are seeking changes during contract negotiations, with a second meeting scheduled Wednesday.…

By Briana Brownleee - News4Jax and Jesse Hanson - News4Jax

Featured image for “Sweet treats may be harder to find – and more expensive”

Passport Sweets, an international candy store located at 100 St. George street in St. Augustine Fla. | Kaia Wright, Jacksonville Today

Sweet treats may be harder to find – and more expensive

Local chocolatiers and candy shops are seeing steady price increase caused by high demand and low global cocoa yields.…

By Kaia Wright

Featured image for “Jax loses $147M federal grant to complete Emerald Trail”

This diagram shows the Jacksonville neighborhoods that are and will be connected by the 30-mile Emerald Trail. | Groundwork Jacksonville

Jax loses $147M federal grant to complete Emerald Trail

City and nonprofit leaders will try to find other ways of funding the Emerald Trail after the federal grant was…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Love Jax? Shop the city’s merch store to show your pride”

Mayor Donna Deegan announced the city's new online swag store at a news conference next to the iconic orange Rex dinosaur statue at a shopping center on Beach Boulevard near Peach Drive. | News4Jax

Love Jax? Shop the city’s merch store to show your pride

The city of Jacksonville has opened an online swag store with logos designed by local artists. Celebrate with a Rex…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Invasive Vitex plant warning issued in Atlantic Beach”

An infestation of the Beach Vitex plant in an Atlantic Beach sand dune near a walkway. | City of Atlantic Beach

Invasive Vitex plant warning issued in Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is fighting Vitex, an invasive plant that weakens sand dune resistance to storms.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Fernandina investigates gangway’s collapse during fireworks”

The gangway at the Fernandina Harbor Marina after it collapsed. | City of Fernandina Beach

Fernandina investigates gangway’s collapse during fireworks

An engineering firm will look into why a gangway collapsed during Fernandina Beach’s July 4th fireworks.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Duval Schools improves to overall ‘A’ grade in state’s latest education scorecard”

Oceanway principal Delayna Simpson speaks July 7, 2025 at a news conference where statewide grade results were announced by Gov. Ron Desantis. | Office of Gov. Ron Desantis

Duval Schools improves to overall ‘A’ grade in state’s latest education scorecard

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida school’s annual performance for the most recent academic year Monday during a news conference at…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “In St. Johns, North Beach residents mobilize around resilience as federal funding dries up”

Not long after Debbie Dickinson moved to North Beach in 2022, Hurricane Ian flooded their neighborhood. | Debbie Dickinson

In St. Johns, North Beach residents mobilize around resilience as federal funding dries up

The future of the federal agency that counties like St. Johns rely on for rebuilding is uncertain, at the same…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Amazon moves to add pharmacy services in Duval County”

Amazon Pharmacy could be expanding its service in Duval County. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Amazon moves to add pharmacy services in Duval County

Amazon is making moves to add its online pharmacy service to its existing dozen fulfillment and delivery centers in Northeast…

By Karen Brune Mathis - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “JSO’s first of 6 town halls set for Tuesday with Sheriff T.K. Waters”

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters at a recent news conference. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

JSO’s first of 6 town halls set for Tuesday with Sheriff T.K. Waters

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and staff hold the first of six summer town hall meetings with the community this week.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Sewer main break caves in part of Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville”

A crew works to repair a road cave-in on Bay Street on Monday morning, July 7, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

Sewer main break caves in part of Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville

Repairs on Bay Street could last through the week.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Captain’s error caused ferry crash, investigation concludes”

The St. Johns River Ferry was out of service after crashing into a dock. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

Captain’s error caused ferry crash, investigation concludes

The captain took improper steps when one of the ferry’s throttles failed to respond, a JTA report says.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “DeSantis vetoes millions budgeted for First Coast programs”

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks May 1, 2025, during a news conference about immigration enforcement at the South Florida office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations in Miramar. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP

DeSantis vetoes millions budgeted for First Coast programs

The governor vetoed more than $19 million that lawmakers had approved for Northeast Florida.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Jacksonville launches campaign to attack litter and blight”

Trash litters the southwest corner of Southside Boulevard and Baymeadows Road on March 21, 2025. | Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville launches campaign to attack litter and blight

A new campaign — Keep Jax Cute – Don’t Pollute — will increase community education and enforcement.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Metro Diner set to open Monday in St. Johns County”

Metro Diner is coming to 2851 County Road 210 W. in St. Johns County. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Metro Diner set to open Monday in St. Johns County

The new restaurant is in the Publix-anchored Johns Creek Center at 2851 County Road 210 W.…

By Dan Macdonald - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “California-based Fatburger is coming to Northeast Florida”

Fatburger is expected to open at 348 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park. | Fatburger

California-based Fatburger is coming to Northeast Florida

Fatburger plans to open 40 sites in Florida, including one on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park.…

By Dan Macdonald - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Jacksonville Beach gears up for July Fourth crowd”

Jacksonville Beach gears up for July Fourth crowd

Police launched a “spring surge” plan after violence erupted during spring holidays last year.…

By Briana Brownleee - News4Jax

Featured image for “Zunzibar seafood bar to replace Burrito Gallery in Riverside”

Zunzibar describes itself as a "beachy sports bar" that serves sandwiches, wings, cocktails and frozen drinks. | News4Jax

Zunzibar seafood bar to replace Burrito Gallery in Riverside

Zunzibar describes itself as a “beachy sports bar” that serves sandwiches, wings, cocktails and frozen drinks.…

By Jonathan Lundy - News4Jax

Featured image for “HiReformance pilates studio to open Downtown”

The Greenleaf & Crosby Building is the former home of Jacobs Jewelers, which closed in March 2023. | Jacksonville Daily Record

HiReformance pilates studio to open Downtown

The studio will occupy space on the ground floor of the historic Greenleaf & Crosby Building.…

By Karen Brune Mathis - Jacksonville Daily Record

News

News