Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.
Featured image for “Ex-Camden deputy gets 16 months for inmate beating”
A jail video shows former Camden County deputy Ryan Biegel and two others beating inmate Jarrett Hobbs in 2022. | Camden County Jail
July 25, 2025

Ex-Camden deputy gets 16 months for inmate beating

Ryan Biegel was sentenced in the beating of inmate Jarrett Hobbs in September 2022.…

Featured image for “Saharan dust will calm storms and heat up the weekend”
A map shows Saharan dust blanketing Florida.
July 25, 2025

Saharan dust will calm storms and heat up the weekend

The skies will remain mostly yellowish on Saturday as Saharan dust covers most of Florida.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville strives for zero traffic deaths by 2035”
A section of Park Street in Brooklyn was recently reconstructed to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. | News4Jax
July 24, 2025

Jacksonville strives for zero traffic deaths by 2035

The city introduced a “Vision Zero Action Plan” on Thursday to eliminate deaths and cut serious injuries in half.…

Featured image for “Some St. Augustine arts groups struggle after budget cuts”
The Ximenez-Fatio house is at 20 Aviles St. In St. Augustine. | Kaia Wright, Jacksonville Today
July 24, 2025

Some St. Augustine arts groups struggle after budget cuts

Museums like Ximenez-Fatio House are struggling with loss of state and federal funding.…

Featured image for “Marineland and dolphins up for sale during bankruptcy”
Marineland Dolphin Adventure is at 9600 Oceanshore Blvd. in St. Augustine. | LoopNet.com via News4Jax
July 24, 2025

Marineland and dolphins up for sale during bankruptcy

Marineland’s owners, The Dolphin Co., also are selling a park in Panama City Beach and rights to Miami Seaquarium.…

Featured image for “Teen drivers will face new requirements next month”
Before teens can get their driver's permit and buckle their seat belts, they'll need to complete a new six-hour course. The updated requirements start Aug. 1. | State Farm, Creative Commons
July 24, 2025

Teen drivers will face new requirements next month

Starting Aug. 1, teenagers must complete a six-hour driving course before earning their learner’s permit.…

Featured image for “Casey DeSantis has edge in governor’s race, UNF poll says”
Florida first lady Casey DeSantis speaks at a presidential campaign event for Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2, 2023, in South Carolina. | Artie Walker Jr., AP
July 24, 2025

Casey DeSantis has edge in governor’s race, UNF poll says

Republicans polled favored the first lady slightly over U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.…

Featured image for “Will McNeil Jr. plans to sue Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office over February arrest”
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, right, says he plans to sue the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on behalf of Will McNeil Jr., left, following a February 2025 traffic stop that led to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office punching McNeil during his arrest. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

Will McNeil Jr. plans to sue Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office over February arrest

“The entire stop was not just pretextual, racially motivated, it was unlawful,” says McNeil’s attorney.…

Featured image for “Baymeadows may get crossing where man and son died”
A car passes Wicked Barley on Baymeadows Road, where a man and his child were killed May 16, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

Baymeadows may get crossing where man and son died

A study by the Florida Department of Transportation says a crosswalk is justified near Wicked Barley Brewing Co.…

Featured image for “Governor and first lady tout cancer initiative at Wolfson”
First lady Casey DeSantis and Gov. Ron DeSantis speak about state funding for cancer research Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

Governor and first lady tout cancer initiative at Wolfson

The Florida Legislature this year appropriated more than $265 million toward cancer research and treatment.…

Featured image for “Jax officials promote swim safety to save young lives”
Children swim at Blue Cypress pool in Jacksonville during a water safety event Wednesday, July 23, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

Jax officials promote swim safety to save young lives

Olympian Ryan Murphy joined Jacksonville officials to publicize the city’s summer swim programs.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County Commission signals lower property tax rate”
July 23, 2025

St. Johns County Commission signals lower property tax rate

Some commissioners want to cut taxes even further, but administrators say services would suffer.…

Featured image for “Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’”
An immigration detension center in the Everglades has been dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
July 23, 2025

Florida signs $245M in contracts for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Officials have estimated the facility will cost $450 million a year, fronted by Florida taxpayers.…

Featured image for “Déjà vu: There’s a chance for tropical formation in the Gulf”
Snip20250722_2.png
July 23, 2025

Déjà vu: There’s a chance for tropical formation in the Gulf

The low-pressure system has a short amount of time to develop before it moves over land.…

Featured image for “City Council keeps property tax rate same while weighing future cut”
The Jacksonville City Council approves the preliminary property tax millage rate included my Mayor Donna Deegan's proposed $2 billion budget. | File photo
July 22, 2025

City Council keeps property tax rate same while weighing future cut

Some on City Council want to see the rate drop before the budget is finalized in September.…

Featured image for “Council OKs $2.5M tax incentive for ‘Project Moana’”
Tuesday’s Duval DOGE Committee meeting was held at Jacksonville City Hall | File photo
July 22, 2025

Council OKs $2.5M tax incentive for ‘Project Moana’

An unidentified international wholesaler is proposing a $90 million warehouse and 100 new jobs.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 restaurants coming to Downtown”
July 22, 2025

THE JAXSON | 5 restaurants coming to Downtown

A crop of new restaurants under construction have the potential to turn Downtown Jacksonville into the hottest dining destination in…

Featured image for “Duval schools superintendent earns high marks for 1st year”
Duval County Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier received high praise from the School Board. | News4Jax
July 22, 2025

Duval schools superintendent earns high marks for 1st year

The School Board rated Superintendent Christopher Bernier as “highly effective.”…

Featured image for “Florida DOGE launches audits in Broward and Gainesville”
-
July 22, 2025

Florida DOGE launches audits in Broward and Gainesville

The task force wants access to buildings and data systems as well as information on DEI and green initiatives.…

Featured image for “Florida has a new CFO. What does he do?”
Florida's chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, speaks during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, July 21, 2025.
July 22, 2025

Florida has a new CFO. What does he do?

CFO Blaise Ingoglia oversees the state’s finances, insurance regulation and even fire safety enforcement.…

Featured image for “Furyk & Friends leaving Jacksonville for Palm Coast”
Jim Furyk salutes the crowd after winning the U.S. Senior Open at Omaha Country Club on July 11, 2021. | Z Long, Omaha World-Herald via AP
July 22, 2025

Furyk & Friends leaving Jacksonville for Palm Coast

The Champions golf tournament will take place in Jacksonville for the last time this year.…

Featured image for “Civil rights groups condemn violent Jacksonville arrest”
Will McNeil Jr. sits in his car on Feb. 19, 2025, seconds after a police officer smashed in the window next to him He was then punched twice before his arrest. | Courtesy of 904.will.
July 21, 2025

Civil rights groups condemn violent Jacksonville arrest

The Sheriff’s Office says the department is investigating whether any of the officers violated policies.…

Featured image for “Tools for school: Duval County supply giveaways”
Children's backpacks are a staple in schools throughout Duval County. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
July 21, 2025

Tools for school: Duval County supply giveaways

Jacksonville Today compiled a list of school supply giveaways throughout Duval County ahead of the 2025-26 academic year.…

Featured image for “Habijax adopts new name as it expands into Nassau and Baker”
HabiJax staff and volunteers work to erect the frame of a new home in October 2024. | HabiJax
July 21, 2025

Habijax adopts new name as it expands into Nassau and Baker

The organization, now called First Coast Habitat for Humanity, also has a new interim leader.…