Jacksonville Today covers government with clear and accessible reporting. We keep you informed about City Hall decisions, mayoral initiatives, City Council meetings, and 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 “‘World-class ingredients:’ Oxford Economics ranks Jacksonville as a top 5 city to watch”
Mayor Donna Deegan speaks about Oxford Economics ranking Jacksonville a top 5 city to watch in North America during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at City Hall. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
7 hours ago

‘World-class ingredients:’ Oxford Economics ranks Jacksonville as a top 5 city to watch

“Jacksonville is a standout city — even by fast-growing Florida standards,” the economics firm said.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County reverses course and denies 4,000-home development near Nocatee”
The St. Johns County Commission denied a proposal for developing forested land along the intracoastal waterway in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
10 hours ago

St. Johns County reverses course and denies 4,000-home development near Nocatee

The project sought approval under a new state law easing development of “agricultural enclaves.”…

Featured image for “‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees were held in small metal cages, federal report says”
This image released by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General shows a small metal enclosure used to house detainees at the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, Jan. 21, 2026. | DHS OIG via AP
14 hours ago

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees were held in small metal cages, federal report says

The cages, usd as “calming areas,” did not meet standards for humane treatment, the report said.…

Featured image for “Gateway Jax seeks $70M in incentives for riverfront tower and Hotel Merrydelle”
Gateway Jax is asking for more than $55 million in city incentives for its proposed hotel and residences tower at Riverfront Plaza. | Downtown Development Review Board
1 day ago

Gateway Jax seeks $70M in incentives for riverfront tower and Hotel Merrydelle

The Jacksonville City Council would have the final say on Gateway Jax’s latest Downtown projects.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Moody blues: Debate dodge does voters grave disservice”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. | Steve Cannon, AP
2 days ago

OPINION | Moody blues: Debate dodge does voters grave disservice

Debate talks have stalled out between Democratic challenger Angie Nixon and Republican incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody.…

Featured image for “Jax board greenlights initial plans for UF campus and Riverfront Plaza tower”
The UF graduate building is planned for 2.34 acres bounded by West Bay and Forsyth streets and North Lee Street. | City of Jacksonville
September 11, 2026

Jax board greenlights initial plans for UF campus and Riverfront Plaza tower

The Downtown Development Review Board advanced projects by Gateway Jax Inc. and UF on Thursday.…

Featured image for “Carlucci urges City Council to restore $4.9M for affordable housing trust fund”
Jacksonville at-large Councilman Matt Carlucci speaks during a meeting he hosted Aug. 19, 2024, at City Hall to allow advocates of an affordable housing financing plan to explain it to council members. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
September 9, 2026

Carlucci urges City Council to restore $4.9M for affordable housing trust fund

The longtime Jacksonville elected officials says he’ll pitch a budget amendment Sept. 22 to reinstate the affordable housing fund.…

Featured image for “Nassau County balances growth and conservation in Vision 2050 plan”
The goal of Vision 2050 is to balance growth and conservation across a county that includes rural communities and coastal areas. | News4Jax
September 9, 2026

Nassau County balances growth and conservation in Vision 2050 plan

Vision 2050 aims to preserve the county’s “neighbors” feel and funnel development to planned areas.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Kill NAVI: We deserve an honest conversation about the Skyway”
JTA’s NAVI shuttles currently have a capacity of carrying up to 8 to 9 passengers. However, this limited form of moving people is being considered as an alternative option for systems, such as modern streetcars, that have the ability to move more than 125 passengers per train. | Marcus Nelson
September 9, 2026

THE JAXSON | Kill NAVI: We deserve an honest conversation about the Skyway

Before Jacksonville commits hundreds of millions of additional dollars to the Skyway or its replacement, a close look at what’s…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland flew on billionaire’s jet to catch Rays game”
City Council President Nick Howland stands at the council dais. | City of Jacksonville
September 7, 2026

Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland flew on billionaire’s jet to catch Rays game

Nick Howland joined Patrick Zalupski, CEO of Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes, on his plane for the game.…

Featured image for “Winners and losers: Where Jacksonville’s proposed $2B budget stands”
A rendering shows the James Weldon Johnson Park renovations that are funded in the city's proposed Capital Improvement Plan. | City of Jacksonville
September 3, 2026

Winners and losers: Where Jacksonville’s proposed $2B budget stands

The full Jacksonville City Council will have a final vote on the budget during its Sept. 22 meeting.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County will remove at least some of its Flock cameras”
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick, who confirmed this week that the county will remove at least some of its Flock license plate readers. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 3, 2026

St. Johns County will remove at least some of its Flock cameras

The Sheriff’s Office did not specify whether it will remove all Flock cameras or just those on state roads.…

Featured image for “Rainbow crosswalks are gone, but Five Points mural keeps diversity alive”
Local artist Shaun Thurston stands before the mural he painted in Five Points to honor the neighborhood’s LGBTQ+ history. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
September 3, 2026

Rainbow crosswalks are gone, but Five Points mural keeps diversity alive

Created to remind people of the 5 Points community’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, a new mural is also a response to…

Featured image for “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon”
U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, left, and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. | AP
September 3, 2026

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon

The endorsement comes after Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his support of Nixon.…

Featured image for “Before DeSantis nixed Flock cameras, he approved funding them”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an immigration bill during an appearance in Jacksonville. | Tom Urban, News Service of Florida
September 2, 2026

Before DeSantis nixed Flock cameras, he approved funding them

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved funding for Flock cameras that police use in immigration enforcement.…

Featured image for “JEA CEO Vickie Cavey resigns a month after taking leave of absence”
JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, left, and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan speak at a news conference Feb. 20, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
September 1, 2026

JEA CEO Vickie Cavey resigns a month after taking leave of absence

Cavey said resigning was best for her family and JEA, but she did not state a reason for leaving.…

Featured image for “St. Johns wants to challenge Florida’s agricultural enclave development law”
The future of this forested land, pictured across the intracoastal waterway near Palm Valley in St. Johns County, is uncertain. County commissioners reached an impasse on whether to certify it as an agricultural enclave. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 1, 2026

St. Johns wants to challenge Florida’s agricultural enclave development law

St. Johns County may go to court over a new law that eases development of agricultural lands.…

Featured image for “City Council president establishes special committee on drowning prevention”
Police investigate the drowning of a 3-year-old child Aug. 24, 2026, in a pond near her home in the Waterside Townhomes at River City, just north of Duval Station Road. | News4Jax
September 1, 2026

City Council president establishes special committee on drowning prevention

The action comes after two children with autism drowned in Jacksonville ponds in August.…

Featured image for “Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report”
Republican Byron Donalds, left, and Democrat David Jolly will face off in Florida's 2026 race for governor.
September 1, 2026

Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report

Gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds and David Jolly pledge to work with the Legislature on Hope Florida reforms.…

Featured image for “Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida State College at Jacksonville President John Avendano on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at FSCJ Cecil Center. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
August 31, 2026

Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training

The $7 million for FSCJ and $5 million for Cecil Spaceport are part of $23 million in job growth grants.…

Featured image for “Northeast Florida police halt Flock cameras under state order”
A Flock camera is shown along a road in Putnam County. | Putnam County Sheriff's Office
August 31, 2026

Northeast Florida police halt Flock cameras under state order

The Florida Department of Transportation said all cameras must be removed with 30 days.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville airport expected to open Concourse B on Jan. 28”
August 31, 2026

Jacksonville airport expected to open Concourse B on Jan. 28

A ribbon-cutting for the new concourse is planned for Jan. 27, and American Airlines will start flights the next day.…

Featured image for “State expands bear hunt permits and adds private lands”
An adult Florida black bear and cub. | Jean Blom, Florida Wildlife Federation
August 31, 2026

State expands bear hunt permits and adds private lands

The bear hunt is set for Dec. 5 to 27 in four areas, including Baker, Clay, Putnam and St. Johns…

Featured image for “OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment”
Duval GOP Chair Charles "Scooter" Barr speaks at a party meeting in July 2026. | Duval GOP via Facebook
August 30, 2026

OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment

Strong rumors hold that a certain Young Republican will try to bring new blood to local GOP party leadership, whose…