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 “See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices”
August 18, 2026

See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices

Live results from Tuesday’s primary election for Congress, governor, the Florida Legislature and others.…

Featured image for “On St. Johns ballots in November: More funding for conservation?”
St. Johns County voters will be asked in November about potentially paying a little extra to fund land conservation. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

On St. Johns ballots in November: More funding for conservation?

St. Johns County voters will be asked whether they support a tax increase to help buy conservation land.…

Featured image for “Why Florida voters shouldn’t overlook today’s primary election”
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. | Susan Giles Wantuck, WUSF
August 18, 2026

Why Florida voters shouldn’t overlook today’s primary election

Many nonpartisan local contests, including school boards, are open to all voters.…

Featured image for “Duval School Board candidates take in more money than most in Florida”
Community members raise their hands at a School Board meeting on June 10, 2024, in a show of support for keeping Holiday Hill Elementary open. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 16, 2026

Duval School Board candidates take in more money than most in Florida

School board elections in Jacksonville have brought in a lot of money through individual, business and PAC support.…

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Signs lines the grass outside the San Marco Library, an early voting site in the August primary elections. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
August 16, 2026

OPINION | The final stretch: Pre-primary election thoughts

Here are some of the major things to watch as primary election results come in Tuesday night.…

Featured image for “Sulzbacher and Jacksonville plan 32 shelter beds for unhoused women”
A homeless person sleeps on Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville on Feb. 15, 2024. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2026

Sulzbacher and Jacksonville plan 32 shelter beds for unhoused women

The Jacksonville City Council approved $413,900 to help the growing number of unhoused women.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Will my ballot be rejected if my signature doesn’t match?”
A vote-by-mail ballot in Duval County. | File photo, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | Will my ballot be rejected if my signature doesn’t match?

A Jacksonville Today reader says he’s older and disabled and his signature changes year to year.…

Featured image for “Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge”
St. Johns County School Board District 1 candidates Kevin Allen and Beverly Slough. | Photos courtesy of the candidates
August 14, 2026

Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge

St. Johns County voters will decide whether to retain the longest-serving member on the School Board.…

Featured image for “City Council panel ties arts and nonprofit funding to property tax vote”
Will Lahnen, chair of Jacksonville City Council's Finance Committee, leads day one of the committee's budget review on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. | City of Jacksonville
August 13, 2026

City Council panel ties arts and nonprofit funding to property tax vote

Council’s Finance Committee also rejected $4.9 million that Mayor Donna Deegan proposed for affordable housing.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands”
The Fish Island Preserve is a natural wildlife area within St. Augustine's city limits. The city owns a chunk of the 62-acre passive park. The state owns the rest. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 13, 2026

St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands

The City Commission may require a unanimous vote to remove a parcel’s conservation protection. …

Featured image for “Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer”
The shuttered Kings Trail Elementary site in the San Jose neighborhood is poised to be redeveloped by Dream Finders Homes into 110 houses.
August 12, 2026

Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer

Dream Finders Homes plans to build 110 cottages, townhomes or single-family houses at the Old Kings Road site.…

Featured image for “Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open”
A boat floats at the new Met Park Marina on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, with the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences under construction in the background. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 12, 2026

Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open

The rebuilt marina includes 78 slips, electrical and water hookups, marine fuel and a store.…

Featured image for “Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?”
In this file photo, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon. | Chris O'Meara, AP
August 12, 2026

Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?

Despite a call to end childhood vaccine mandates, nothing has changed on a policy level in Florida.…

Featured image for “Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says”
Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the SunTrax testing grounds in Auburndale on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Ron DeSantis, Facebook
August 12, 2026

Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says

The technology could be used as air taxis, cargo delivery, medical transportation and emergency response.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?”
August 11, 2026

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
August 11, 2026

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
August 10, 2026

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”
August 10, 2026

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.…