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 “Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?”
1 minute ago

Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?

The City Council’s in-house lawyer has raised concerns even among his clients.…

Featured image for “Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm”
Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock. | Clay County
1 hour ago

Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm

Lorin Mock has spent more than 40 years as a firefighter, including 27 with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.…

Featured image for “Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff”
Darnell Smith, chief of staff for Mayor Donna Deegan, speaks during the city of Jacksonville's Black History Month celebration at City Hall on Feb, 27, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
20 hours ago

Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff

Darnell Smith is returning as chief of staff as Mayor Donna Deegan enters the final year of her first term.…

Featured image for “Duval and St. Johns schools close budget gaps before new school year”
1 day ago

Duval and St. Johns schools close budget gaps before new school year

Duval Schools faced a $100 million shortfall, and St. Johns ended last year $23 million in the red.…

Featured image for “Riverfront Plaza construction will close portions of Main Street Bridge”
The Main Street Bridge. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 7, 2026

Riverfront Plaza construction will close portions of Main Street Bridge

The bridge will be reduced to one lane heading south for up to five months, beginning Aug. 24.…

Featured image for “Fernandina voters will decide fate of paid parking. Or will they?”
A sign explains how to pay for parking in downtown Fernandina Beach. | News4Jax
August 7, 2026

Fernandina voters will decide fate of paid parking. Or will they?

Voters are deciding whether a referendum should be required to institute paid parking in Fernandina Beach.…

Featured image for “Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law”
Hamburger Mary's Orlando hosts drag shows and filed a lawsuit challenging the Florida law.
August 7, 2026

Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law

The law restricts minors from attending certain “adult live performances,” including some drag shows.…

Featured image for “Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project”
The future site of a proposed Publix grocery store at 119 W. Beaver St. Downtown. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
August 5, 2026

Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project

Developer Gateway Jax and city officials are renegotiating a nearly $50 million incentives deal for the Downtown Publix project.…

Featured image for “Duval school bus drivers threaten strike, but more meetings planned”
A row of Durham School Services buses. | Durham School Services
August 5, 2026

Duval school bus drivers threaten strike, but more meetings planned

Durham School Services will meet with bus drivers this week in an attempt to avert a strike.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Beach bans smoking and vaping at beaches and parks”
Smoking and vaping will be prohibited at the Ocean Pier when it reopens this year in St. Augustine Beach. | St. Johns County
August 5, 2026

St. Augustine Beach bans smoking and vaping at beaches and parks

The action this week brings St. Augustine Beach into line with the county’s rules on smoking and vaping.…

Featured image for “Florida state parks grapple with maintenance backlog and not enough money”
Visitors have carved their names into the 50-foot-high observation tower at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. The structure was last rebuilt in 2015 and offers a scenic view of the park. | Curan Ahern, WUFT News
August 5, 2026

Florida state parks grapple with maintenance backlog and not enough money

Park advocates say the current state budget falls far short of all of the maintenance and repairs needed.…

Featured image for “Clay County School Board challengers make their case on pay and spending”
August 5, 2026

Clay County School Board challengers make their case on pay and spending

Three current School Board members have competition in the election, but none attended a recent forum.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development law”
St. Johns County has received six proposals to develop agricultural land under a new state law. One large residential development would be just north of Nocatee. | Google Maps
August 4, 2026

St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development law

County commissioners want to know if it would be worth the time and money to challenge the law in court.…

Featured image for “Judge orders Florida to rewrite ballot language for property tax amendment”
The rotunda of the Leon County Courthouse in Tallahassee. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
August 4, 2026

Judge orders Florida to rewrite ballot language for property tax amendment

A Leon County judge ruled that the ballot language on the property tax issue was not fair or neutral.…

Featured image for “Four Democrats face off in Duval School Board District 4 race. Who are they?”
Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie raises his hand in a community meeting about school closures. Four candidates are seeking to replace Willie on the School Board. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 4, 2026

Four Democrats face off in Duval School Board District 4 race. Who are they?

Alfreda Denson Butler, Rhodesia Butler, James Jacobs and Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler have a competitive race ahead.…

Featured image for “Public safety groups sound alarm over property tax ballot issue”
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri talks with reporters. | News Service of Florida file
August 4, 2026

Public safety groups sound alarm over property tax ballot issue

The Florida Sheriffs Association says it is “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, which would cut property taxes.…

Featured image for “Meet the 3 candidates vying for Duval County School Board District 2 seat”
From left are Duval County School Board candidates Terence Myers, Donovan Bradley and Donna Westrich. | News4Jax
August 3, 2026

Meet the 3 candidates vying for Duval County School Board District 2 seat

Donovan Bradley, Terence Myers and Donna Westrich say they want to keep politics out of the classroom.…

Featured image for “Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’”
Rep. Byron Donalds is three-term member of Congress who is a Republican gubernatorial candidate. He spoke with "First Coast Connect" host Anne Schindler on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 3, 2026

Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’

The Republican gubernatorial candidate discusses campaign finance, data centers, the environment and more.…

Featured image for “POV | I attended the Jacksonville budget unveiling”
Audience members watch during the July 20 Jacksonville budget session. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
August 3, 2026

POV | I attended the Jacksonville budget unveiling

Here’s what it’s like to attend the mayor’s budget address, which kicks off the Jacksonville budget process, and how you…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city”
The air traffic control tower at Cecil Airport on Jacksonville's Westside | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 3, 2026

Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city

Airport and city officials signed a memorandum of understanding to work together and end lawsuit tensions.…

Featured image for “5 Westside candidates compete for District 6 Duval School Board seat”
A meeting of the Duval County School Board on Jan. 6, 2026. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 2, 2026

5 Westside candidates compete for District 6 Duval School Board seat

School board candidates run non-partisan races, so the race could be decided in the primary election.…

Featured image for “OPINION | How the US Senate race could shape local elections”
Alex Vindman (left) and Angie Nixon (right) seek to become the first Democrat from Florida elected to the United States Senate in 14 years. | Submitted
August 2, 2026

OPINION | How the US Senate race could shape local elections

Angie Nixon is the overwhelming choice of Democrats in Northeast Florida. Could her U.S. Senate run help others on the…

Featured image for “School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances”
Three candidates are running to represent northeast St. Johns County on the School Board | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances

Three candidates are running to represent District 4 on the St. Johns County School Board.…

Featured image for “Compare Duval County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE”
July 30, 2026

Compare Duval County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE

Duval voters, compare the candidates who appear on your Aug. 18 Florida primary ballot with our Candidate Comparison Tool.…