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 “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.…

Featured image for “Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum faces drug charges in Alabama”
Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum speaks to supporters during a gathering at the Florida Democratic Party state conference, June 7, 2019, in Orlando. | John Raoux, AP file
July 7, 2026

Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum faces drug charges in Alabama

Police said they found marijuana cigarettes and suspected methamphetamine in Gillum’s car.…

Featured image for “Federal court halts Florida law banning ‘woke’ instruction in universities”
The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Florida's "Stop WOKE Act." | 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
July 7, 2026

Federal court halts Florida law banning ‘woke’ instruction in universities

The court said the state’s “Stop WOKE Act” sought to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide”
County Commissioner Sarah Arnold, former St. Augustine Beach Mayor (and current City Commissioner) Dylan Rumrell and County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst. | St. Johns County, St. Augustine Beach
July 7, 2026

St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide

Three elected officials are accused of circulating a fake Republican voter guide ahead of the 2024 election.…

Featured image for “Jake Gordon to step down as CEO after 11 years at Downtown Vision Inc.”
Jake Gordon, CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Vision Inc., will step down as of Sept. 30. | Downtown Vision Inc.
July 7, 2026

Jake Gordon to step down as CEO after 11 years at Downtown Vision Inc.

Gordon said it was time for new perspectives at Downtown Vision, a nonprofit that aims to revitalize Downtown.…

Featured image for “Legal changes will ease prosecution of people who fail to report child abuse”
The Florida Legislature in session on April 29, 2026. | Mike Stewart, AP
July 6, 2026

Legal changes will ease prosecution of people who fail to report child abuse

The law changes the statute of limitations for people like teachers who are required to report any abuse they suspect.…

Featured image for “European Street Café to open 4th site at Riverfront Plaza in Downtown”
A rendering of the planned second phase of Riverfront Plaza, showing a beer garden and restaurant. | City of Jacksonville/Perkins & Will
July 6, 2026

European Street Café to open 4th site at Riverfront Plaza in Downtown

The restaurant will open in the second phase of Riverfront Plaza, which is under construction.…

Featured image for “Nat Ford stepping down as CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority”
Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford speaks at the topping-out ceremony for the U2C Autonomous Innovation Center near Broad and Water streets in LaVilla. | Jeffrey Leeser via Jacksonville Daily Record
July 6, 2026

Nat Ford stepping down as CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Ford, JTA’s CEO for 13 years, will remain with the authority through Jan. 8 as the board seeks a replacement.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Children are the future of representative government”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
July 5, 2026

OPINION | Children are the future of representative government

Opinion columnist A.G. Gancarski argues that Gov. Ron DeSantis should not have vetoed a bill that would have allowed teens…

Featured image for “Libertarian can remain on City Council ballot; judge dismisses Duval GOP lawsuit”
The Duval County Courthouse. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 2, 2026

Libertarian can remain on City Council ballot; judge dismisses Duval GOP lawsuit

The dismissal clears the way for a three-way race for the Jacksonville City Council special election in August.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history”
Cynthia Garris is poised to become the first Black person to serve as mayor of St. Augustine in the city's 461-year history. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 2, 2026

St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history

Cynthia Garris will make history when she is sworn in Dec. 7 as the city’s first Black mayor.…