government & politics

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 “No fraud found in Healthlink Jax, but a budget battle could be brewing”

Jacksonville City Council member Rory Diamond at the Duval DOGE Committee hearing on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

No fraud found in Healthlink Jax, but a budget battle could be brewing

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will include $1.5 million in her next city budget for the Healthlink telehealth program.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Got a new driver’s license? It could affect how you get a mail-in ballot.”

A mock-up of Florida driver's license shows the changes front and rear. | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Got a new driver’s license? It could affect how you get a mail-in ballot.

If you recently got a new driver’s license, let the elections office know — or you may not get a…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “City lawmakers continue JEA investigation despite business leaders’ objections”

Jacksonville City Council member Ron Salem after a Duval DOGE Committee meeting on May 5, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

City lawmakers continue JEA investigation despite business leaders’ objections

Regional business leaders at the Jacksonville Civic Council called on City Council to end its probe of JEA.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “St. Johns commissioners worry about the possibility of data centers”

Fans that are part of a cooling system are seen on the roof of a data center April 27, 2026, in Hillsboro, Oregon. | Jenny Kane, AP

St. Johns commissioners worry about the possibility of data centers

Elected officials worry that data centers, the power behind artificial intelligence, could drain the county’s resources.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “JTA studies Skyway options and postpones community meetings”

Skyway cars move into the LaVilla station of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

JTA studies Skyway options and postpones community meetings

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority says it will reschedule a second round of meetings.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Breaking down the changes in Florida’s new congressional districts”

Breaking down the changes in Florida’s new congressional districts

A voting rights group has sued over new congressional districts, but here’s how the map looks for now.…

By Gray Rohrer - News Service of Florida and Ana Goñi-Lessan - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Florida law will now require students to learn cursive handwriting”

A cursive handwriting practice sheet. The Florida Legislature passed a bill that mandates cursive instruction for grades three through five. | Photo illustration by Kaley Mantz

Florida law will now require students to learn cursive handwriting

A new law requires cursive instruction for Florida students in grades three through five.…

By Delia Rose Sauer - Fresh Take Florida

Featured image for “Killer scheduled for execution for killing 5-month-old girl in Duval County”

The bed in the execution room. | Florida Department of Corrections

Killer scheduled for execution for killing 5-month-old girl in Duval County

Andrew Richard Lukehart was convicted of killing Gabrielle Hanshaw when she wouldn’t lie flat to change her diaper.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Does Downtown Jacksonville need more office space? Some are betting yes.”

Gateway Jax Inc. wants to build 100,000 square feet of office space in its $750 million Pearl Square development Downtown. | Gateway Jax Inc.

Does Downtown Jacksonville need more office space? Some are betting yes.

Office vacancy rates are higher than most cities, but there still might be a need for high-end space.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Proposed seafood restaurant recommended for Riverfront Plaza”

A Downtown Investment Authority committee voted 3-0 on Thursday to move forward with plans for a restaurant at Riverfront Plaza on the Downtown Northbank. | The Choptank via Jacksonville Daily Record

Proposed seafood restaurant recommended for Riverfront Plaza

A Baltimore restaurant group proposes to operate the restaurant on the park’s southwest corner.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Jacksonville keeps dishing out incentives — but will that change?”

The Mag’s Cafe building is one of two historic building renovations projects the Jacksonville City Council awarded incentives on Tuesday. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Daily Record

Jacksonville keeps dishing out incentives — but will that change?

City lawmakers are growing uncomfortable with the amount of incentives awarded for development.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Legislature approves congressional map to boost Republicans in midterms”

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, speaks loudly on the House floor as the House voted on a redistricting bill Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Tallahassee. | Mike Stewart, AP

Legislature approves congressional map to boost Republicans in midterms

The new congressional map could increase Florida’s Republican House delegation by four seats.…

By Bill Barrow - Associated Press

Featured image for “Brooklyn bars approved to sell alcohol until 3 a.m., an hour later than past”

A view down the street in Brooklyn. | News4Jax

Brooklyn bars approved to sell alcohol until 3 a.m., an hour later than past

Jacksonville City Council approved later hours in Brooklyn to match other Downtown areas.…

By Jenese Harris - News4Jax

Featured image for “Jacksonville groups decry Florida’s proposed congressional redistricting”

A voting booth. Some Florida voters may be casting ballots in new congressional districts if maps proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis are enacted.

Jacksonville groups decry Florida’s proposed congressional redistricting

Voting rights advocates say politics are behind a redistricting map proposed this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Florida House again rejects vaccine and AI proposals”

Sen. Clay Yarborugh of Jacksonville sponsored a bill expanding vaccine exemptions. | Florida House of Representatives

Florida House again rejects vaccine and AI proposals

House Speaker Daniel Perez said the chamber would not take up the bills, both priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “He died in a Northeast Florida jail. The company in charge should have sent him to the hospital, experts say.”

Family photos of Brian Tracey kept by his sister, Lillian Scharf, who has tried for three years to get answers about how her brother died at a jail in St. Johns County in 2023. | Greg Kahn for ProPublica

He died in a Northeast Florida jail. The company in charge should have sent him to the hospital, experts say.

Inmate Brian Tracey died in the St. Johns County jail after Armor Health failed to take him to a hospital.…

By Nichole Manna - The Florida Trib

Featured image for “DeSantis unveils voting map that could help Republicans”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the White House in March. He unveiled a new congressional map Monday. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, AP

DeSantis unveils voting map that could help Republicans

Legislators will consider a new congressional map that could flip four districts from Democratic to Republican.…

By Douglas Soule - WUSF

Featured image for “State Rep. Angie Nixon qualifies for U.S. Senate run”

State Rep. Angie Nixon. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

State Rep. Angie Nixon qualifies for U.S. Senate run

Nixon, a Democrat, will run for the seat held by Republican Ashley Moody, who was appointed last year.…

By News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Florida’s special session: Redistricting, vaccines and AI rights”

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, sponsored a bill that prohibited local governments from using taxpayer dollars to fund diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs. He spoke during a bill signing Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Florida’s special session: Redistricting, vaccines and AI rights

Florida’s GOP lawmakers will bring new congressional maps into a nationwide redistricting battle next week.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire”

Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department firefighter James Crews. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire

Firefighter James Crews died after a medical emergency while battling a Hilliard wildfire, officials said.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Johns County adopts revised comprehensive plan”

A house under construction. | Jacksonville Daily Record

St. Johns County adopts revised comprehensive plan

The county revised its plan to comply with state law that restricts development regulations.…

By J. Brooks Terry - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Florida outlaws diversity, equity and inclusion in public policy”

Gov. Ron DeSantis tosses a pen to a member of the audience after signing a bill that will outlaw diversity, equity and inclusion in local governments on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. DeSantis is joined by members of the Florida Legislature who supported the bill, from left, Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Dean Black, R-Jacksonville; Sen. Clay Yarborough R-Jacksonville; and Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Florida outlaws diversity, equity and inclusion in public policy

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Wednesday in Jacksonville that prohibits DEI in local governments.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Attorney general investigates ChatGPT in FSU shooting”

People sit in front of a makeshift memorial outside the student union at Florida State University in Tallahassee on April 17, 2025, after a campus shooting. | Kate Payne, AP

Attorney general investigates ChatGPT in FSU shooting

Prosecutors believe the chatbot advised the gunman about how to carry out the FSU shooting last April.…

By Mike Schneider - Associated Press

Featured image for “Florida prepares for the day when taxicabs can fly”

Tampa International Airport hosted Florida's first manned air taxi demonstration in November 2023. | Tampa International Airport, St. Pete Catalyst

Florida prepares for the day when taxicabs can fly

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill providing funding for vertiports, the hubs for small aerial taxicabs.…

By News Service of Florida

Government & Politics

Government & Politics