government & politics
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 “City manager suddenly resigns in Atlantic Beach”
Atlantic Beach City Manager Bill Killingsworth | City of Atlantic Beach
January 7, 2026

City manager suddenly resigns in Atlantic Beach

City Manager Bill Killingsworth stepped down voluntarily after a meeting with the mayor.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Historic Armory sale marches forward with higher sale price”
This historic Armory building, completed in 1916, sits south of Hogans Creek and north of State Street near Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
January 6, 2026

Historic Armory sale marches forward with higher sale price

Reva Development Corp. has been working with the city to retrofit the Armory since 2020.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “In Jacksonville, mixed reaction after US removes Maduro ”
Members of the Freedom Roads Socialist Organization, Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, Take ‘Em Down Jax and the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance spoke out against the United States government removing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a Jan. 3, 2026 rally outside of Sen. Rick Scott's office at the Charles Bennett Federal Building in downtown Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 4, 2026

In Jacksonville, mixed reaction after US removes Maduro 

Jacksonville witnessed demonstrations and political support following the U.S. military’s removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Jacksonville government and you | HOW TO JAX”
A Jacksonville City Council meeting. | City of Jacksonville
December 22, 2025

Jacksonville government and you | HOW TO JAX

Here’s how to get involved in Jacksonville government, whether making your voice heard in City Council, joining a Citizens Planning…

By Tracy Sadeghian

Featured image for “After contentious 6 months, City Council VP and mayor pitch unity”
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico taking the oath of office in June 2025. | City of Jacksonville
December 18, 2025

After contentious 6 months, City Council VP and mayor pitch unity

Political observers note a particularly contentious second half of 2025 between City Council leaders and the mayor’s office.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “St. Johns lawmaker backs changes to development bill”
Florida Rep. Kim Kendall, center, says she wants to see changes in a controversial state development law. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
December 16, 2025

St. Johns lawmaker backs changes to development bill

Rep. Kim Kendell says the state shouldn’t be dictating how local officials can regulate development.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Meet the new mayor of St. Augustine Beach”
Beth Sweeny will serve as St. Augustine Beach's mayor through 2026. | Submitted, Beth Sweeny
December 15, 2025

Meet the new mayor of St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach officials elevated Beth Sweeny from the position of vice mayor. Hear her priorities in the new position.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “OPINION | Installation conflagration: Matt Carlucci takes aim at Kevin Carrico”
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico speaks about the city budget and proposed property tax cut on Aug. 25, 2025 at City Hall. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
December 7, 2025

OPINION | Installation conflagration: Matt Carlucci takes aim at Kevin Carrico

Legislation from Matt Carlucci seems like a not-so-veiled critique of this year’s installation for Council President Kevin Carrico.…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “St. Johns County adopts conservation fee on developers”
A new fee on developers would conserve undeveloped land like this in St. Johns County. | Flickr, Justin Ellenberger
December 2, 2025

St. Johns County adopts conservation fee on developers

The impact fee, phased in over five years, will pay for acquiring sensitive conservation land.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County bans smoking at parks and beaches”
Smoking cigarettes and vape pens is now against the rules in St. Johns County. | Brian Yurasits, Unsplash
December 2, 2025

St. Johns County bans smoking at parks and beaches

Students from Washington Classical Christian School had asked county officials to change smoking rules.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Shakeup shuffles leadership on St. Johns County Commission”
The current St. Johns County commissioners are, from left, Christian Whitehurst, Sarah Arnold, Krista Joseph, Clay Murphy and Ann Taylor. | St. Johns County
December 2, 2025

Shakeup shuffles leadership on St. Johns County Commission

A surprise vote Tuesday dumped the leadership appointed just two weeks ago.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Jax budgets: Proposed vs. passed”
September 19, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Jax budgets: Proposed vs. passed

Our number of the week is $26,749,757: the amount of money the Council stripped from Deegan’s proposal so far.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Government & Politics

Government & Politics