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 “Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget”
Renovation work continues Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at EverBank Stadium in Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
July 21, 2026

Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget

The $587 million capital improvement plan would fund 132 infrastructure projects.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue”
St. Johns County is eyeing a $1.46 billion budget for the next fiscal year | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 21, 2026

St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue

The county is considering a budget with a flat tax rate, but many people could pay higher taxes anyway.…

Featured image for “Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues”
A canopy of trees hangs over part of Mandarin Road near Brady Road in Mandarin. It is near the home of the man who named the community in 1830 — Calvin Reed. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 21, 2026

Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues

The Mandarin Area Preservation Project will begin with two public workshops on Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget”
Mayor Donna Deegan, on stage at right, speaks at a town hall meeting on March 24, 2026, at Springfield Middle School. | City of Jacksonville
July 20, 2026

Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will meet with residents in August and September to discuss her budget priorities.…

Featured image for “Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, delivers her annual budget address Monday, July 20, 2026, with City Council President Nick Howland to her side. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
July 20, 2026

Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges

The mayor’s proposed budget is heavy on infrastructure and holds the tax millage rate steady.…

Featured image for “UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes”
Ballot boxes at a voting booth. | Felix, rawpixel.com, stock.adobe.com
July 20, 2026

UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes

Support was weaker when the poll explained that tax cuts could severely reduce public services.…

Featured image for “Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman”
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
July 20, 2026

Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman

Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon face off in the 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Both hope to unseat Republican…

Featured image for “Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects”
Neptune Beach is exploring fees that could help pay for future capital projects. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 20, 2026

Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects

The city would use the fees to help offset its investment in infrastructure needed for growth.…

Featured image for “As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics”
Congressman Byron Donalds at an event April 8, 2025, celebrating heroic veterans across a Southwest Florida community. He is running for Florida governor in 2026.
July 20, 2026

As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics

From political spending to data center debates, here’s how AI is shaping politics in this election season.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville’s budget showdown begins”
City Councill President Nick Howland, seen here in 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
July 19, 2026

OPINION | Jacksonville’s budget showdown begins

Jacksonville faces a budget fight over the next couple of months.…

Featured image for “Monday is deadline to update voter registration for August primary”
A Florida voter registration form.
July 17, 2026

Monday is deadline to update voter registration for August primary

In addition to new Florida voters, people who want to switch their political party also have until Monday.…

Featured image for “Aviation authority board starts 30-day clock on possible city of Jax lawsuit”
Jacksonville Aviation Authority board Chair David Hodges Jr. leads a special meeting to consider filing a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
July 16, 2026

Aviation authority board starts 30-day clock on possible city of Jax lawsuit

The potential lawsuit claims City Council is trying to unlawfully divert funds from the Aviation Authority budgets.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville write-in candidate accused of threatening to kill Trump”
Discharged U.S. Marine William L. Upham, as seen in a Facebook video threatening President Trump. | William Upham, Facebook
July 16, 2026

Jacksonville write-in candidate accused of threatening to kill Trump

Prosecutors say discharged Marine William L. Upham posted a video calling President Trump “the enemy of God.”…

Featured image for “St. Johns County commissioner defends her seat against 2 election challengers”
Candidates for St. Johns County Commission District 4, from left: James Galloway, Krista Joseph and Sam Williams | Photos submitted or shared from candidate's campaign social media page.
July 16, 2026

St. Johns County commissioner defends her seat against 2 election challengers

Voters in northeast St. Johns County will decide next month whether to retain Krista Joseph as a commissioner.…

Featured image for “Florida housing officials consider work requirements for most aid programs”
Housing officials gathered Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Palatka. From left are Ben Hobbs, assistant secretary of public and Indian housing for the U.S. Housing and Urban Development; Alesia Scott-Ford, HUD field office director; and Casey "Oche" Bridgeford, CEO of the Palatka Housing Authority. | Elizabeth Caldwell, Jacksonville Today
July 15, 2026

Florida housing officials consider work requirements for most aid programs

Housing authority officials across Florida are learning about restrictions proposed by the Trump administration.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Alphas provide voter information ahead of August primary”
Duval County Judge Group 13 candidate Marquita H. Green, left, and Duval County School Board, District 4 candidate Rhodesia “Rho” Butler, second from right, speak with members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. following a voter information seminar on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 15, 2026

Jacksonville Alphas provide voter information ahead of August primary

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. held a voter education forum to spur turnout ahead of the 2026 election season.…

Featured image for “Fire Rescue unit stolen from Main Street fire station in Jacksonville”
A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department unit is parked at the scene of a traffic crash on Hogan Road. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 14, 2026

Fire Rescue unit stolen from Main Street fire station in Jacksonville

Someone walked into the fire station, started up the rescue vehicle and drove off. Police stopped him 5 miles away.…

Featured image for “Duval School Board election could bring shift in board’s ideology”
The Jacksonville Policy Engagement Group hosted a School Board candidate forum June 23. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 14, 2026

Duval School Board election could bring shift in board’s ideology

The election could lead to an ideological shift for a board with a strongly conservative majority.…

Featured image for “How Florida’s property tax amendment could reshape funding for public hospitals”
A sign points to the emergency room, trauma center, main entrance, and parking at a Miami hospital. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
July 14, 2026

How Florida’s property tax amendment could reshape funding for public hospitals

Reduced tax revenue could force health systems to make difficult decisions about the services they provide.…

Featured image for “Q&A | City Council president talks about spending, property taxes and Cecil Airport”
Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland takes the oath of office June 26, 2026, during an installation ceremony at City Hall. | City of Jacksonville
July 13, 2026

Q&A | City Council president talks about spending, property taxes and Cecil Airport

Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland talked with Jacksonville Today about the next year at City Hall.…

Featured image for “St. Johns lawmaker suggests replacement for accused commissioners”
Florida state Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine. | Florida House of Representatives
July 10, 2026

St. Johns lawmaker suggests replacement for accused commissioners

State Rep. Kim Kendall has written to the governor in the event he removes the two commissioners from office.…

Featured image for “Q&A | Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters discusses the jail, police shootings and more”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks with Jacksonville Today on Thursday, July 9, 2026. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 10, 2026

Q&A | Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters discusses the jail, police shootings and more

Sheriff T.K. Waters sat down with Jacksonville Today to talk about his department halfway through 2026.…

Featured image for “A Florida airport is officially renamed for Trump. What does he stand to gain?”
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach on May 2, 2026, en route to Miami. | Matt Rourke, AP
July 9, 2026

A Florida airport is officially renamed for Trump. What does he stand to gain?

The Trump Organization says he won’t get royalties from the renaming, but legal experts see potential loopholes.…

Featured image for “Fernandina Beach imposes new rules to rein in reckless e-bikers”
Bikes are lined up at racks in Fernandina Beach. | News4Jax
July 8, 2026

Fernandina Beach imposes new rules to rein in reckless e-bikers

The ordinance allows only human power on sidewalks and limits e-bikes to 10 mph on paths and trails.…