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 “Council punts on incentives for Downtown Publix until after Amendment 3 vote”
An artist's rendering of the planned 31,000-square-foot Publix at 119 W. Beaver St., part of a new building that will also include a 15-story residential tower and 400 parking spaces. | Gateway/Pearl Square
3 hours ago

Council punts on incentives for Downtown Publix until after Amendment 3 vote

A Jacksonville City Council committee deferred the Publix vote amid concerns over mounting cash grants.…

Featured image for “LaSalle Street drainage project completed to ease flooding in San Marco”
Vehicles plow through flooded streets in San Marco. | News4Jax
9 hours ago

LaSalle Street drainage project completed to ease flooding in San Marco

A new pump station and larger stormwater pipes have been installed in a neighborhood that floods routinely.…

Featured image for “Unleashed by Florida lawmakers, landowners move to convert farms into subdivisions”
Land near State Road 208 in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Unleashed by Florida lawmakers, landowners move to convert farms into subdivisions

A new farmland development law is one of a string wresting power over development away from local government.…

Featured image for “Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan”
State Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, filed his intention to run for Jacksonville mayor on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 2, 2026

Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan

Duggan cited affordability and turmoil at the city’s independent authorities as campaign priorities.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters files to seek reelection”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks with Jacksonville Today on Thursday, July 9, 2026. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
October 2, 2026

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters files to seek reelection

Waters is touting lower crime and reduced gang violence since he won the office in November 2022.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s animal control response worries councilman and inspector general”
City Councilman Jimmy Peluso, left, and ACPS Chief Mike Bricker pose with a dog named Leo outside the ACPS building in December 2023. | Jimmy Peluso, Facebook
October 2, 2026

Jacksonville’s animal control response worries councilman and inspector general

The systems people use to report dangerous dogs and other animal control issues is under scrutiny.…

Featured image for “Domestic abuse killed more people in Duval County last year”
Purple flags are planted on the lawn of the Duval County Courthouse to represent injunctions filed in domestic abuse cases. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
October 1, 2026

Domestic abuse killed more people in Duval County last year

Prosecutors and social service providers released new data to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | How will JEA’s new electric and water rates affect me?”
JEA's electric and water/sewer rate increases go into effect Oct. 1, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
September 30, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | How will JEA’s new electric and water rates affect me?

JEA says average electric bills are expected to get lower, despite an Oct. 1 rate increase, while water bills will…

Featured image for “Mentally ill defendants in Florida jails are waiting months for treatment: Lawsuit”
Inmates in the Duval County jail are among those awaiting transfer to a state hospital for mental health treatment, a lawsuit says. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
September 30, 2026

Mentally ill defendants in Florida jails are waiting months for treatment: Lawsuit

Disability Rights Florida estimates that at least 650 defendants are awaiting transfer to a state hospital across Florida…

Featured image for “State attorney general subpoenas JTA amid transit agency’s budget woes”
The JTA headquarters and regional transportation center.
September 29, 2026

State attorney general subpoenas JTA amid transit agency’s budget woes

The subpoena demands JTA provide contracts and communications linked to vendors, services, and former CEO Nat Ford.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim to retire”
St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim was appointed in 2023. | City of St. Augustine
September 29, 2026

St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim to retire

St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim will retire this year.…

Featured image for “Carrico won’t seek City Council reelection, will launch advisory firm with wife”
Jacksonville City Council member Kevin Carrico says he will not run for reelection to launch an advisory firm with his wife Daysi Jacobson Carrico. | Alignment G
September 28, 2026

Carrico won’t seek City Council reelection, will launch advisory firm with wife

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico will not seek a third term in 2027 and will launch Alignment Global Partners.…

Featured image for “Armada must pay full price for Downtown stadium land after missing deadline”
A rendering from 2023 shows early plans for the Jacksonville Armada's proposed Downtown stadium, which the club has yet to build. | Jacksonville Daily Record
September 28, 2026

Armada must pay full price for Downtown stadium land after missing deadline

Local attorney Chris Campione announced still incomplete plans in October 2025 to purchase the Armada soccer team.…

Featured image for “New Florida laws take effect Oct. 1. Here’s what they do”
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum and State Capitol in Tallahassee.
September 28, 2026

New Florida laws take effect Oct. 1. Here’s what they do

The new laws cover everything from nitrous oxide sales and animal cruelty to rental fraud, specialty license plates and transportation.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County reverses decision on developments totaling 1,000-plus acres”
The St. Johns County Commission reversed course and denied two proposed developments that the board previously approved in August | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 28, 2026

St. Johns County reverses decision on developments totaling 1,000-plus acres

The decision by the St. Johns County’s Board of County Commissioners bucks a new Florida law meant to fast-track rural…

Featured image for “UNF poll: Property insurance bigger concern among Florida voters than property taxes”
A banner posted atop the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department's former training tower off I-10 shows opposition to Amendment 3 by the local Fraternal Order of Police and Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters unions. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 28, 2026

UNF poll: Property insurance bigger concern among Florida voters than property taxes

As Amendment 3 awaits Florida voters on the Nov. 3 ballot, the latest UNF poll shows Floridians more concerned about…

Featured image for “OPINION | Good vibes only: What a clean Jacksonville budget means for 2027 elections”
Council President Nick Howland talks on budget night, Sept. 22, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
September 27, 2026

OPINION | Good vibes only: What a clean Jacksonville budget means for 2027 elections

As compared to the shambolic budget vote last year, this year’s 18-1 ratification of Jacksonville’s $2 billion general fund budget…

Featured image for “JEA board selects Jody Brooks as interim CEO; Vickie Cavey steps down”
The JEA board of directors appointed Jody Brooks as interim CEO on Sept. 25, 2026. | JEA
September 25, 2026

JEA board selects Jody Brooks as interim CEO; Vickie Cavey steps down

Board members for Jacksonville’s city-owned utility appointed Brooks interim CEO the same day they accepted Cavey’s resignation.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s e-bike crackdown: Lower speed, stiffer standards”
An e-bike sits along a bike path in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2026. |AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
September 25, 2026

Jacksonville’s e-bike crackdown: Lower speed, stiffer standards

The Jacksonville City Council has approved a 15 mph speed limit and other new rules for e-bike and e-scooter riders.…

Featured image for “Clay County ends JTA transportation contract, seeks scaled-back agreement”
One of the JTA's Clay Community Transportation shuttle buses. | JTA
September 24, 2026

Clay County ends JTA transportation contract, seeks scaled-back agreement

Clay County officials drop a JTA contract for three transit services as a new agreement is under discussion.…

Featured image for “JTA takes first steps with city to solve financial troubles”
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority board approved a plan Wednesday to use $30 million in previously appropriated funds to pay down debt, part of a broader effort to address the authority's financial challenges. | Jacksonville Daily Record
September 23, 2026

JTA takes first steps with city to solve financial troubles

The JTA board approved a plan to pay down its debts with $30 million appropriated for major projects.…

Featured image for “City Council member Kevin Carrico leaves Boys & Girls Clubs executive role”
Jacksonville City Council member Kevin Carrico has resigned from his position with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 23, 2026

City Council member Kevin Carrico leaves Boys & Girls Clubs executive role

Carrico served in executive roles with the Northeast Florida nonprofit children’s group for nearly 11 years.…

Featured image for “Is Jacksonville prepared for the $200M shortfall if Amendment 3 passes? Short answer, no.”
Jacksonville City Council member Will Lahnen, right, who chairs the Finance Committee, has found $30 million in cuts, much of which could end up paying for public-safety projects. That falls well short of the hundreds of millions city officials would have to carve out in future years if voters approve Amendment 3 in November. | City of Jacksonville
September 23, 2026

Is Jacksonville prepared for the $200M shortfall if Amendment 3 passes? Short answer, no.

City Council’s Finance Committee found $30 million in cuts, but that’s far less than needed if Amendment 3 passes.…

Featured image for “Does ‘no-kill’ shelter policy leave dangerous dogs on Jacksonville’s streets?”
Dog attack victim Roland Moore stands in his family's driveway on Marquis Drive on July 10, 2026. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
September 23, 2026

Does ‘no-kill’ shelter policy leave dangerous dogs on Jacksonville’s streets?

No-kill is designed to save animals’ lives, but critics say it can lead to devastating consequences.…