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 “City approves demolition of Regency Square Mall’s east wing”
The city of Jacksonville has approved the demolition of Regency Square Mall's east wing. | File photo
August 28, 2026

City approves demolition of Regency Square Mall’s east wing

Officials clear the way to demolish the portion 59-year-old Regency Square Mall between Impact Church and the shuttered JC Penney.…

Featured image for “JTA: ‘Everything is on the table’ regarding autonomous vehicles and gas tax plans”
A rendering of a NAVI vehicle on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's Downtown Skyway, covered for use as part of the U2C. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 28, 2026

JTA: ‘Everything is on the table’ regarding autonomous vehicles and gas tax plans

JTA’s interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson says he’s open to redirecting gas tax dollars planned for its autonomous vehicle program amid…

Featured image for “Leaked Hope Florida grand jury report: State ‘misappropriated’ funds”
Gov. Ron DeSantis | AP Photo
August 26, 2026

Leaked Hope Florida grand jury report: State ‘misappropriated’ funds

A state grand jury report found Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration “misappropriated” funds by diverting Medicaid money to a nonprofit, eventually…

Featured image for “Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras”
Jacksonville City Council member Jimmy Peluso at a Duval County School Board meeting in December. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 26, 2026

Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras

Jimmy Peluso will hold a meeting Friday on his proposal to regulate Flock-style surveillance technology.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council OKs veteran-hiring legislation”
A new city law requires companies receiving incentives to try to hire military veterans or spouses. It also gives incentive preference for jobs at Cecil Airport. | Jax Daily Record
August 26, 2026

Jacksonville City Council OKs veteran-hiring legislation

Companies receiving city incentives must make a “good faith effort” to hire veterans and will be given extra consideration for…

Featured image for “After retention pond deaths of 2 Jacksonville children this month, ‘time to take action’”
This retention pond at the Bennett Creek apartment complex off Salisbury Road is where 2-year-old Melani Ava Mixson drowned Sept. 18, 2024. A memorial to her remained earlier this year. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today 
August 26, 2026

After retention pond deaths of 2 Jacksonville children this month, ‘time to take action’

Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr. gathered fellow lawmakers, parents developers and others to discuss how to prevent more deaths after…

Featured image for “Republican governor candidate Byron Donalds picks Bryan Avila as running mate”
Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, served as Senate Finance and Tax Chairman and led efforts to pass a tax package. | Colin Hackley
August 25, 2026

Republican governor candidate Byron Donalds picks Bryan Avila as running mate

Bryan Avila will become Florida lieutenant governor if Byron Donalds wins the general election in November.…

Featured image for “Fernandina Beach paid parking to end Nov. 18”
Paid parking spots are filled on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, four days after voters opted to kill that parking program during the primary election. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 25, 2026

Fernandina Beach paid parking to end Nov. 18

Fernandina Beach’s paid parking will end on Nov. 18.…

Featured image for “VyStar announces $5 million donation for UF graduate campus in LaVilla”
The University of Florida's Jacksonville graduate campus is set to welcome its first students this fall, with founding programs from the College of Design, Construction and Planning and the Warrington College of Business. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 25, 2026

VyStar announces $5 million donation for UF graduate campus in LaVilla

The credit union will pay out the gift over five years, as UF prepares for its first students on the…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook”
FlashVote is a platform used in more than 30 states. | FlashVote
August 25, 2026

Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook

The FlashVote platform is aimed at residents who can’t attend city meetings, with quick, anonymous surveys. Jacksonville and Atlantic Beaches…

Featured image for “Jacksonville weighing incentives for relaunch of Bellwether restaurant Downtown”
A rendering from the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority shows the revised interior of Bellwether restaurant. at 117 W. Forsyth St. Downtown. | City of Jacksonville
August 25, 2026

Jacksonville weighing incentives for relaunch of Bellwether restaurant Downtown

The new Bellwether owner are seeking a forgivable loan to help reopen the restaurant with changes to the menu and…

Featured image for “Florida seeks repeal of four required vaccines for schools”
Florida state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaks in 2021 after being named to his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. | Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida
August 24, 2026

Florida seeks repeal of four required vaccines for schools

The rule would remove Hepatitis B, chicken pox, influenza type b, and pneumococcal vaccines for public school attendance.…

Featured image for “Slow-the-growth candidates win big in St. Johns County”
Kevin Allen, Krista Joseph and Martin Pyszczymuka all ran campaigns that called for slowing St. Johns County's growth | Photos courtesy of the candidates
August 24, 2026

Slow-the-growth candidates win big in St. Johns County

From the School Board to the County Commission, this month’s primary elections scored wins for St. Johns County candidates running…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services waives adoption fees as shelter fills”
Hundreds of dogs are available for adoption at the Jacksonville shelter | Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services
August 21, 2026

Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services waives adoption fees as shelter fills

ACPS is promoting its AI-powered app JaxPawFinder to connect prospective owners with pets after a surge in shelter population.…

Featured image for “$20M fund established to spark affordable rental housing in Jacksonville”
These are some of the new apartments that have been built in Jacksonville in the past few years, including the One Riverside complex, left, and other units on Riverside Avenue and Park Street. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 20, 2026

$20M fund established to spark affordable rental housing in Jacksonville

A group of private and philanthropic investors is creating the fund as another tool to combat the housing crisis.…

Featured image for “Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County”
Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder. | File photo, Jacksonville Today
August 20, 2026

Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County

Democratic Candidate Mone Holder flipped an At-Large Jacksonville City Council seat held by a Republican for seven years.…

Featured image for “After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November”
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
August 20, 2026

After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November

Democratic leaders pledge to flip political power in Florida after 30 years of Republican governance.…

Featured image for “JTA’s budget deficit ballooned over 3 months, city auditors report”
A Skyway monorail train pulls away from the station near the Jacksonville Transportation Authority headquarters in LaVilla. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 20, 2026

JTA’s budget deficit ballooned over 3 months, city auditors report

The transportation authority’s projected deficit grew from $2.25 million in March to $31.8 million in June.…

Featured image for “Duval’s election turnout modest; support for Angie Nixon overwhelming”
A driver arrives at Duval County Precinct 408 on the morning of the 2026 primaries | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

Duval’s election turnout modest; support for Angie Nixon overwhelming

Turnout totaled about 23%, and Nixon, the U.S. Senate candidate, won nearly every Duval precinct.…

Featured image for “New fire station replaces 46-year-old firehouse at Blount Island”
Fire Station 48 at the city's Blount Island marine terminal. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

New fire station replaces 46-year-old firehouse at Blount Island

The new, larger Fire Station 48 will protect JAXPORT and Northside neighborhoods on Heckscher Drive.…

Featured image for “1,000-plus acres of agricultural land OK’d for development in St. Johns”
This forested land, pictured across the intracoastal waterway near Palm Valley, could be developed into homes pending a decision by the St. Johns County Commission next month | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

1,000-plus acres of agricultural land OK’d for development in St. Johns

As many as 15,000 homes got the green light under a new law that eases the way for development.…

Featured image for “Democratic State Rep. Nixon upsets Vindman, will face Moody for U.S. Senate”
Jacksonville native Angie Nixon celebrates winning the Democratic primary nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Democratic State Rep. Nixon upsets Vindman, will face Moody for U.S. Senate

State Rep. Angie Nixon, a staunch progressive who represents part of Jacksonville in the Florida House, defeated establishment favorite Lt.…

Featured image for “Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August”
Duval County Democratic Party Chair Millie Leeds, (center) is flanked by Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder (left) and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, following their victories on primary night, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August

From school board to judges and state Legislature, here were the winners on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 18.…

Featured image for “Voters kill paid parking in Fernandina Beach with overwhelming ‘yes’”
Pay to park spots on South 7th Street in Fernandina Beach, marked with street signs and the QR code to access the system. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Voters kill paid parking in Fernandina Beach with overwhelming ‘yes’

Almost 75% of Fernandina Beach voters voted to ban paid parking in the center of the historic city’s Downtown.…