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 “Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication”
Fernando Hermida holds a bottle of Biktarvy, his HIV medication, in Charlotte, North Carolina on on May 27, 2024. | Laura Bargfeld, AP
February 26, 2026

Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication

The state issued an emergency rule Tuesday that reduces funding for HIV/AIDS medication for an estimated 16,000 people.…

Featured image for “House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility”
Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka of Fort Myers sponsored the bill on voter eligibility. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida file
February 26, 2026

House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility

The bill includes new requirements for proving citizenship when registering to vote.…

Featured image for “3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol”
An aerial view of Downtown Jacksonville | Jacksonville Daily Record
February 25, 2026

3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol

Sales will be allowed until 3 a.m. in the NorthCore, the Central Core, and the Sports and Entertainment District.…

Featured image for “New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway”
The Jacksonvill Transportation Authority is considering five proposals for the future of the Skyway.
February 25, 2026

New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway

Transit officials want to know what the public thinks about five possibilities for upgrading the Skyway.…

Featured image for “Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine”
A statue of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass now sits in downtown St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 25, 2026

Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine

Gov. Ron DeSantis dedicated the statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass near a plaza where slaves were once sold.…

Featured image for “Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments”
State Sen. Randy Fine of Melbourne has filed two bills related to immigration for the regular legislative session in March. He said he hopes they are taken up during the special session.
February 25, 2026

Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments

As Fine continues to push the issue, Central Florida leaders are calling out religious hate.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon”
St. Augustine's Treasury building, seen here from the Bridge of Lions, is the tallest in the historic downtown's skyline, standing six-stories tall. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 25, 2026

St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon

More than 100 rooms are planned in the Treasury building along with a new parking garage.…

Featured image for “JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace”
JEA CEO Vickie Cavey. speaks at the JEA board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, as board Chair Joe DiSalvo listens. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
February 24, 2026

JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace

The board also pushed back against one of its own members for privately asking CEO Vickie Cavey to resign.…

Featured image for “JEA board approves sale of former headquarters”
Live Oak Contracting plans to transform the former JEA headquarters campus in Downtown Jacksonville into The Jewel at 21 West. | Jacksonville Daily Record
February 24, 2026

JEA board approves sale of former headquarters

Live Oak Contracting plans to convert the JEA building into residential units, offices and rooftop amenities.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks”
St. Augustine's St. George Street is one of the busiest streets in the historic downtown core. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 24, 2026

St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks

The city says it will have to significantly cut services if the Florida Legislature reduces property taxes.…

Featured image for “BLACKSONVILLE 100 | Politics”
February 23, 2026

BLACKSONVILLE 100 | Politics

People who won elected office and left a legacy of community engagement and improvement…

Featured image for “JTA seeks comments on next phase of driverless shuttles”
Skyway cars move into the LaVilla station of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The Skyway could be replaced by the Ultimate Urban Commuter system. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 23, 2026

JTA seeks comments on next phase of driverless shuttles

Public meetings will start this week to share information about the shuttles, known as the Ultimate Urban Circulator.…

Featured image for “Florida private schools sue Step Up for Students over voucher payout problems”
Jacksonville Attorney Lamonte Carter and iCity Christian School Executive Director Terrie Hairston announce a group of private schools' lawsuit against Step Up For Students on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | News4Jax
February 22, 2026

Florida private schools sue Step Up for Students over voucher payout problems

Private school owners filed suit against Step Up for Students, the Jacksonville company in charge of handling half a million…

Featured image for “Mayor alleges ‘smear campaign’ against JEA chief”
JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, left, and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan speak at a news conference Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
February 20, 2026

Mayor alleges ‘smear campaign’ against JEA chief

Mayor Donna Deegan says CEO Vickie Cavey is under attack after ending a JEA contract with a politically connected firm.…

Featured image for “House backs referendum on cutting property taxes”
The Florida Capitol. | News Service of Florida
February 20, 2026

House backs referendum on cutting property taxes

The proposal would ask voters in November whether to eliminate most homestead property taxes.…

Featured image for “Counties fear law would tie their hands on development”
Rep. Lauren Melo, R-Naples, discusses the latest version of her proposed "Blue Ribbon Projects" bill before the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. | The Florida Channel
February 20, 2026

Counties fear law would tie their hands on development

The “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill could allow developers to circumvent some local regulations.…

Featured image for “DIA board rejects incentives to keep EverBank in Downtown”
EverBank Center is at 301 W. Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville. | Monty Zickuhr, Jacksonville Daily Record
February 18, 2026

DIA board rejects incentives to keep EverBank in Downtown

EverBank is requesting $9.8 million in incentives to keep its headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Money from stadium deal could flow to Eastside soon”
City Council member Jimmy Peluso held a town hall meeting with Eastside residents and advocates inside the Church of Oakland about the Community Benefits Agreement on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
February 18, 2026

Money from stadium deal could flow to Eastside soon

It could be only months before a new board awards money in five Eastside neighborhoods.…

Featured image for “House proposes guardrails on DeSantis emergency fund”
Rep. Philip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts Jr. presented the emergency fund guardrails bill. Here he speaks to the media after a committee meeting Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
February 17, 2026

House proposes guardrails on DeSantis emergency fund

A House bill would limit how the governor can use an emergency fund originally intended for natural disasters.…

Featured image for “OPINION | 2027: The ‘lawfare’ Jacksonville mayor’s race?”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier commends Jacksonville's City Council for passing an immigration enforcement bill. Uthmeier spoke Thursday, March 27, 2025, in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 15, 2026

OPINION | 2027: The ‘lawfare’ Jacksonville mayor’s race?

The controversy over Mayor Donna Deegan’s Hispanic outreach coordinator could last through next year’s Jacksonville mayor’s race.…

Featured image for “Paid parking starts Monday in downtown Fernandina Beach”
Centre Street and nearby side streets will be under a new paid parking program as of Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
February 12, 2026

Paid parking starts Monday in downtown Fernandina Beach

A judge dismissed most of a complaint seeking to stop the paid parking plan on downtown streets.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail”
St. Johns County Public Works Director Greg Caldwell talks to residents about the controversial planned path along Shore Drive in St. Augustine South. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 12, 2026

St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail

County officials say a decision will come soon on the future of the controversial Shore Drive project.…

Featured image for “Flamingo floated again as Florida’s state bird”
Caribbean flamingos walk around their enclosure at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville on Feb. 2, 2026. Legislators are considering the flamingo to replace the mockingbird as Florida’s state bird for the third year in a row. | Kaley Mantz, Fresh Take Florida
February 12, 2026

Flamingo floated again as Florida’s state bird

The Legislature has considered anointing the flamingo as the state bird for several years. Opposition seems less this year.…

Featured image for “Local governments could be forced to end DEI programs”
The 2026 Florida legislative session will begin Jan. 13.
February 12, 2026

Local governments could be forced to end DEI programs

A bill moving through the Legislature would prohibit municipalities from funding or supporting DEI.…