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 “Florida state parks grapple with maintenance backlog and not enough money”
Visitors have carved their names into the 50-foot-high observation tower at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. The structure was last rebuilt in 2015 and offers a scenic view of the park. | Curan Ahern, WUFT News
August 5, 2026

Florida state parks grapple with maintenance backlog and not enough money

Park advocates say the current state budget falls far short of all of the maintenance and repairs needed.…

Featured image for “Clay County School Board challengers make their case on pay and spending”
August 5, 2026

Clay County School Board challengers make their case on pay and spending

Three current School Board members have competition in the election, but none attended a recent forum.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development law”
St. Johns County has received six proposals to develop agricultural land under a new state law. One large residential development would be just north of Nocatee. | Google Maps
August 4, 2026

St. Johns County considers challenge to agricultural development law

County commissioners want to know if it would be worth the time and money to challenge the law in court.…

Featured image for “Judge orders Florida to rewrite ballot language for property tax amendment”
The rotunda of the Leon County Courthouse in Tallahassee. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
August 4, 2026

Judge orders Florida to rewrite ballot language for property tax amendment

A Leon County judge ruled that the ballot language on the property tax issue was not fair or neutral.…

Featured image for “Four Democrats face off in Duval School Board District 4 race. Who are they?”
Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie raises his hand in a community meeting about school closures. Four candidates are seeking to replace Willie on the School Board. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 4, 2026

Four Democrats face off in Duval School Board District 4 race. Who are they?

Alfreda Denson Butler, Rhodesia Butler, James Jacobs and Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler have a competitive race ahead.…

Featured image for “Public safety groups sound alarm over property tax ballot issue”
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri talks with reporters. | News Service of Florida file
August 4, 2026

Public safety groups sound alarm over property tax ballot issue

The Florida Sheriffs Association says it is “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, which would cut property taxes.…

Featured image for “Meet the 3 candidates vying for Duval County School Board District 2 seat”
From left are Duval County School Board candidates Terence Myers, Donovan Bradley and Donna Westrich. | News4Jax
August 3, 2026

Meet the 3 candidates vying for Duval County School Board District 2 seat

Donovan Bradley, Terence Myers and Donna Westrich say they want to keep politics out of the classroom.…

Featured image for “Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’”
Rep. Byron Donalds is three-term member of Congress who is a Republican gubernatorial candidate. He spoke with "First Coast Connect" host Anne Schindler on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 3, 2026

Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’

The Republican gubernatorial candidate discusses campaign finance, data centers, the environment and more.…

Featured image for “POV | I attended the Jacksonville budget unveiling”
Audience members watch during the July 20 Jacksonville budget session. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
August 3, 2026

POV | I attended the Jacksonville budget unveiling

Here’s what it’s like to attend the mayor’s budget address, which kicks off the Jacksonville budget process, and how you…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city”
The air traffic control tower at Cecil Airport on Jacksonville's Westside | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 3, 2026

Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city

Airport and city officials signed a memorandum of understanding to work together and end lawsuit tensions.…

Featured image for “5 Westside candidates compete for District 6 Duval School Board seat”
A meeting of the Duval County School Board on Jan. 6, 2026. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 2, 2026

5 Westside candidates compete for District 6 Duval School Board seat

School board candidates run non-partisan races, so the race could be decided in the primary election.…

Featured image for “OPINION | How the US Senate race could shape local elections”
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
August 2, 2026

OPINION | How the US Senate race could shape local elections

Angie Nixon is the overwhelming choice of Democrats in Northeast Florida. Could her U.S. Senate run help others on the…

Featured image for “School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances”
Three candidates are running to represent northeast St. Johns County on the School Board | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

School Board candidates in St. Johns County spar over finances

Three candidates are running to represent District 4 on the St. Johns County School Board.…

Featured image for “Compare Duval County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE”
July 30, 2026

Compare Duval County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE

Duval voters, compare the candidates who appear on your Aug. 18 Florida primary ballot with our Candidate Comparison Tool.…

Featured image for “Compare Nassau County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE”
July 30, 2026

Compare Nassau County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE

Nassau voters, compare the candidates who appear on your Aug. 18 Florida primary ballot with our Candidate Comparison Tool.…

Featured image for “Compare Clay County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE”
July 30, 2026

Compare Clay County candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE

Clay voters, compare the candidates who appear on your Aug. 18 Florida primary ballot with our Candidate Comparison Tool.…

Featured image for “Compare St. Johns candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE”
July 30, 2026

Compare St. Johns candidates | AUG. 18 VOTER GUIDE

St. Johns voters, compare the candidates who appear on your Aug. 18 Florida primary ballot with our Candidate Comparison Tool.…

Featured image for “Judge weighs challenge to ballot language for property tax amendment”
A sign alerts passersby to a home for sale in Newberry on Oct. 7, 2025. If approved in November, a ballot measure would significantly lower property taxes in Florida. | Riley Beiswenger, Fresh Take Florida
July 30, 2026

Judge weighs challenge to ballot language for property tax amendment

Lawsuits assert that the wording of the property tax issue is misleading and biased.…

Featured image for “JEA CEO Vickie Cavey takes extended leave, effective immediately”
Vickie Cavey, CEO and managing director of JEA, speaks at a briefing Sept. 26, 2025, at the Duval County Emergency Operations Center. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 29, 2026

JEA CEO Vickie Cavey takes extended leave, effective immediately

JEA gave no explanation why Cavey was taking leave. She will be gone between two weeks and 60 days, JEA…

Featured image for “Welfare work requirements: A history of helping the wealthy”
Joseph Mitchell, city manager of Newburgh, New York, gives a talk to the University of Wisconsin Conservation Club about reducing federal and state welfare benefits on Nov. 17, 1961. | Wisconsin Historical Society; Richard Stroda creator; W013E39
July 29, 2026

Welfare work requirements: A history of helping the wealthy

As the Jacksonville Housing Authority considers work requirements, a small city in New York offers lessons.…

Featured image for “Riverside Avenue could shrink to create bike lanes and parallel parking”
Riverside Avenue is shown on the left before any changes. On the right, a rendering shows the addition of a bicycle lane and parallel parking. | Jimmy Peluso, Downtown Investment Authority
July 29, 2026

Riverside Avenue could shrink to create bike lanes and parallel parking

City Council member Jimmy Peluso is proposing changes to Riverside, Forest and West Monroe.…

Featured image for “Democrats and Republicans have options in District 18 state House race”
The Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. Four candidates are running to represent District 18, which covers northern St. Johns County. | Phil Sears, AP
July 28, 2026

Democrats and Republicans have options in District 18 state House race

Both parties have candidates in House District 18, which covers the northern half of St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “JTA amasses $15.06M in delinquent bills, records show”
The JTA headquarters and regional transportation center.
July 28, 2026

JTA amasses $15.06M in delinquent bills, records show

JTA says it has taken steps to pay off the unpaid invoices in two months. Some date back to 2014.…

Featured image for “Reservations open Friday for new Met Park marina behind Four Seasons”
A rendering shows the marina behind the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 28, 2026

Reservations open Friday for new Met Park marina behind Four Seasons

The marina includes 78 wet slips and provides electrical power, pump-out capabilities and boating supplies.…