government & politics

Jacksonville Today covers local government with clear and accessible reporting. We keep you informed about City Hall decisions, mayoral initiatives, City Council meetings, and local elections. Our political coverage extends beyond Jacksonville to include regional and state-level issues that affect Northeast Florida. We aim to provide context, accountability, and clarity so you understand how policies shape your community.

Featured image for “OPINION | The politics of last call: Should Downtown bars serve ’til 3?”

Downtown bars like Decca Live could serve for an extra hour under a proposal. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

OPINION | The politics of last call: Should Downtown bars serve ’til 3?

Should Downtown bars be allowed to serve alcohol for an extra hour?…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | #AskJAXTDY: Property tax spending on schools?”

1 mill property tax spending by Duval Schools

January 30, 2026

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | #AskJAXTDY: Property tax spending on schools?

This Number of the Week is also an #AskJAXTDY. Jacksonville Today reader Jane G. wonders what happens to the money…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “Here are Jacksonville area lawmakers’ legislative priorities for 2026”

Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis is one of the lawmakers representing Jacksonville in the Florida Legislature. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida

January 13, 2026

Here are Jacksonville area lawmakers’ legislative priorities for 2026

Local lawmakers are pushing a slate of bills in Tallahassee.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “City manager suddenly resigns in Atlantic Beach”

Atlantic Beach City Manager Bill Killingsworth | City of Atlantic Beach

January 7, 2026

City manager suddenly resigns in Atlantic Beach

City Manager Bill Killingsworth stepped down voluntarily after a meeting with the mayor.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Historic Armory sale marches forward with higher sale price”

This historic Armory building, completed in 1916, sits south of Hogans Creek and north of State Street near Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

January 6, 2026

Historic Armory sale marches forward with higher sale price

Reva Development Corp. has been working with the city to retrofit the Armory since 2020.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “In Jacksonville, mixed reaction after US removes Maduro ”

Members of the Freedom Roads Socialist Organization, Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, Take ‘Em Down Jax and the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance spoke out against the United States government removing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a Jan. 3, 2026 rally outside of Sen. Rick Scott's office at the Charles Bennett Federal Building in downtown Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

January 4, 2026

In Jacksonville, mixed reaction after US removes Maduro

Jacksonville witnessed demonstrations and political support following the U.S. military’s removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Jacksonville government and you | JAX TODAY GUIDE”

A Jacksonville City Council meeting. | City of Jacksonville

December 22, 2025

Jacksonville government and you | JAX TODAY GUIDE

Here’s how to get involved in Jacksonville government, whether making your voice heard in City Council, joining a Citizens Planning…

By Tracy Sadeghian

Featured image for “After contentious 6 months, City Council VP and mayor pitch unity”

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico taking the oath of office in June 2025. | City of Jacksonville

December 18, 2025

After contentious 6 months, City Council VP and mayor pitch unity

Political observers note a particularly contentious second half of 2025 between City Council leaders and the mayor’s office.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “OPINION | Installation conflagration: Matt Carlucci takes aim at Kevin Carrico”

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico speaks about the city budget and proposed property tax cut on Aug. 25, 2025 at City Hall. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

December 7, 2025

OPINION | Installation conflagration: Matt Carlucci takes aim at Kevin Carrico

Legislation from Matt Carlucci seems like a not-so-veiled critique of this year’s installation for Council President Kevin Carrico.…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Jax budgets: Proposed vs. passed”

September 19, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Jax budgets: Proposed vs. passed

Our number of the week is $26,749,757: the amount of money the Council stripped from Deegan’s proposal so far.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Local Government & Politics

Local Government & Politics