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 “Homelessness rate improves in Downtown Jacksonville”
Two homeless men sleep in a doorway on Monroe Street. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
March 4, 2026

Homelessness rate improves in Downtown Jacksonville

City Council’s Duval DOGE committee hopes that lower homelessness will keep large employers in the urban core.…

Featured image for “Fernandina waterfront will get a new pirate statue”
A new pirate statue carved by Jett Paxton will soon grace Fernandina Beach's new waterfront park.
March 4, 2026

Fernandina waterfront will get a new pirate statue

A new pirate statue will replace Peg Leg Pete at a new park on the Fernandina Beach waterfront.…

Featured image for “Divisive Shore Drive project in St. Augustine is dead”
A proposed path path along Shore Drive in St. Augustine South is officially off the table. St. Johns County officials had proposed building a trail to get pedestrians and cyclists out of the winding two-lane road. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
March 3, 2026

Divisive Shore Drive project in St. Augustine is dead

St. Johns County commissioners have officially nixed the walking path proposed along Shore Drive.…

Featured image for “State takes aim at Jacksonville over ‘gun registry’”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier holds a news conference on Feb. 9. 2026, in Green Cove Springs. | Attorney General's Office via Facebook
March 3, 2026

State takes aim at Jacksonville over ‘gun registry’

Attorney General James Uthmeier plans civil action after the city kept track of people with guns in city buildings.…

Featured image for “Vice chair of JEA board loses promotion over CEO flap”
JEA Board Chair Joe DiSalvo and Vice Chair Rick Morales at a committee meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
March 2, 2026

Vice chair of JEA board loses promotion over CEO flap

Rick Morales will not be promoted to board chairman after asking JEA CEO Vickie Cavey to resign.…

Featured image for “Florida Supreme Court blocks redistricting challenge”
The Florida Supreme Court rejected a petitition seeking to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis push for redistricting. | Tom Urban, News Service of Florida
March 2, 2026

Florida Supreme Court blocks redistricting challenge

The court ruled against two voters who challenged Gov. Ron DeSantis’ effort to redraw congressional districts.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Shot in the dark: The end of vaccine politics in Florida”
Sen. Clay Yarborough (seen here as a member of the Florida House of Representatives), is sponsoring a "medical freedom" bill in 2026. | Florida House
March 1, 2026

OPINION | Shot in the dark: The end of vaccine politics in Florida

The rise and fall of “medical freedom” is almost complete, as anti-vaccine fervor is falling out of favor in Tallahassee.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator”
Country Carriages has operated its horse and carriage business in St. Augustine since 2004. | Courtesy Country Carriages
February 27, 2026

St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator

The action comes after pressure from animal welfare activists and a history of rules violations.…

Featured image for “JTA approves new fares for Connexion Plus”
A JTA Connexion Plus van. | Jacksonville Transportation Authority
February 27, 2026

JTA approves new fares for Connexion Plus

Rate adjustments come after the community complained about earlier plans to end the private Connexion Plus service.…

Featured image for “Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments”
Randy Fine speaks at the Florida Capitol in 2022 | Phil Sears, AP
February 27, 2026

Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick says he does not plan to rescind his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine.…

Featured image for “City Council president urged to step aside during JEA blowup”
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico taking the oath of office in June 2025. | City of Jacksonville
February 26, 2026

City Council president urged to step aside during JEA blowup

Council President Kevin Carrico declined and attacked council member Jimmy Peluso as a “drama queen.”…

Featured image for “Jacksonville police officer accused of overtime theft”
Christian Madsen, a motor unit officer, is seen here in a Facebook video form the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He is accused of taking thousands of dollars in overtime for work that was never done. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, News4Jax
February 26, 2026

Jacksonville police officer accused of overtime theft

Officer Christian Madsen visited his supervisor for romance while putting in for overtime, the sheriff says.…

Featured image for “Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication”
Fernando Hermida holds a bottle of Biktarvy, his HIV medication, in Charlotte, North Carolina on on May 27, 2024. | Laura Bargfeld, AP
February 26, 2026

Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication

The state issued an emergency rule Tuesday that reduces funding for HIV/AIDS medication for an estimated 16,000 people.…

Featured image for “House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility”
Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka of Fort Myers sponsored the bill on voter eligibility. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida file
February 26, 2026

House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility

The bill includes new requirements for proving citizenship when registering to vote.…

Featured image for “3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol”
An aerial view of Downtown Jacksonville | Jacksonville Daily Record
February 25, 2026

3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol

Sales will be allowed until 3 a.m. in the NorthCore, the Central Core, and the Sports and Entertainment District.…

Featured image for “New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway”
The Jacksonvill Transportation Authority is considering five proposals for the future of the Skyway.
February 25, 2026

New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway

Transit officials want to know what the public thinks about five possibilities for upgrading the Skyway.…

Featured image for “Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine”
A statue of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass now sits in downtown St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 25, 2026

Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine

Gov. Ron DeSantis dedicated the statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass near a plaza where slaves were once sold.…

Featured image for “Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments”
State Sen. Randy Fine of Melbourne has filed two bills related to immigration for the regular legislative session in March. He said he hopes they are taken up during the special session.
February 25, 2026

Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments

As Fine continues to push the issue, Central Florida leaders are calling out religious hate.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon”
St. Augustine's Treasury building, seen from the Bridge of Lions, is the tallest in the historic downtown's skyline, standing six stories tall. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 25, 2026

St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon

More than 100 rooms are planned in the Treasury building along with a new parking garage.…

Featured image for “JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace”
JEA CEO Vickie Cavey. speaks at the JEA board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, as board Chair Joe DiSalvo listens. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
February 24, 2026

JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace

The board also pushed back against one of its own members for privately asking CEO Vickie Cavey to resign.…

Featured image for “JEA board approves sale of former headquarters”
Live Oak Contracting plans to transform the former JEA headquarters campus in Downtown Jacksonville into The Jewel at 21 West. | Jacksonville Daily Record
February 24, 2026

JEA board approves sale of former headquarters

Live Oak Contracting plans to convert the JEA building into residential units, offices and rooftop amenities.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks”
St. Augustine's St. George Street is one of the busiest streets in the historic downtown core. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 24, 2026

St. Augustine braces for property tax cutbacks

The city says it will have to significantly cut services if the Florida Legislature reduces property taxes.…

Featured image for “BLACKSONVILLE 100 | Politics”
February 23, 2026

BLACKSONVILLE 100 | Politics

People who won elected office and left a legacy of community engagement and improvement…

Featured image for “JTA seeks comments on next phase of driverless shuttles”
Skyway cars move into the LaVilla station of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 23, 2026

JTA seeks comments on next phase of driverless shuttles

Public meetings will start this week to share information about the shuttles, known as the Ultimate Urban Circulator.…