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 Council president establishes special committee on drowning prevention”
Police investigate the drowning of a 3-year-old child Aug. 24, 2026, in a pond near her home in the Waterside Townhomes at River City, just north of Duval Station Road. | News4Jax
September 1, 2026

City Council president establishes special committee on drowning prevention

The action comes after two children with autism drowned in Jacksonville ponds in August.…

Featured image for “Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report”
Republican Byron Donalds, left, and Democrat David Jolly will face off in Florida's 2026 race for governor.
September 1, 2026

Donalds and Jolly call for Hope Florida reforms after scathing grand jury report

Gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds and David Jolly pledge to work with the Legislature on Hope Florida reforms.…

Featured image for “Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida State College at Jacksonville President John Avendano on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at FSCJ Cecil Center. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
August 31, 2026

Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training

The $7 million for FSCJ and $5 million for Cecil Spaceport are part of $23 million in job growth grants.…

Featured image for “Northeast Florida police halt Flock cameras under state order”
A Flock camera is shown along a road in Putnam County. | Putnam County Sheriff's Office
August 31, 2026

Northeast Florida police halt Flock cameras under state order

The Florida Department of Transportation said all cameras must be removed with 30 days.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville airport expected to open Concourse B on Jan. 28”
August 31, 2026

Jacksonville airport expected to open Concourse B on Jan. 28

A ribbon-cutting for the new concourse is planned for Jan. 27, and American Airlines will start flights the next day.…

Featured image for “State expands bear hunt permits and adds private lands”
An adult Florida black bear and cub. | Jean Blom, Florida Wildlife Federation
August 31, 2026

State expands bear hunt permits and adds private lands

The bear hunt is set for Dec. 5 to 27 in four areas, including Baker, Clay, Putnam and St. Johns…

Featured image for “OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment”
Duval GOP Chair Charles "Scooter" Barr speaks at a party meeting in July 2026. | Duval GOP via Facebook
August 30, 2026

OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment

Strong rumors hold that a certain Young Republican will try to bring new blood to local GOP party leadership, whose…

Featured image for “City approves demolition of Regency Square Mall’s east wing”
The city of Jacksonville has approved the demolition of Regency Square Mall's east wing. | File photo
August 28, 2026

City approves demolition of Regency Square Mall’s east wing

Officials clear the way to demolish the portion 59-year-old Regency Square Mall between Impact Church and the shuttered JC Penney.…

Featured image for “JTA: ‘Everything is on the table’ regarding autonomous vehicles and gas tax plans”
A rendering of a NAVI vehicle on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's Downtown Skyway, covered for use as part of the U2C. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 28, 2026

JTA: ‘Everything is on the table’ regarding autonomous vehicles and gas tax plans

JTA’s interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson says he’s open to redirecting gas tax dollars planned for its autonomous vehicle program amid…

Featured image for “Leaked Hope Florida grand jury report: State ‘misappropriated’ funds”
Gov. Ron DeSantis | AP Photo
August 26, 2026

Leaked Hope Florida grand jury report: State ‘misappropriated’ funds

A state grand jury report found Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration “misappropriated” funds by diverting Medicaid money to a nonprofit, eventually…

Featured image for “Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras”
Jacksonville City Council member Jimmy Peluso at a Duval County School Board meeting in December. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 26, 2026

Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras

Jimmy Peluso will hold a meeting Friday on his proposal to regulate Flock-style surveillance technology.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council OKs veteran-hiring legislation”
A new city law requires companies receiving incentives to try to hire military veterans or spouses. It also gives incentive preference for jobs at Cecil Airport. | Jax Daily Record
August 26, 2026

Jacksonville City Council OKs veteran-hiring legislation

Companies receiving city incentives must make a “good faith effort” to hire veterans and will be given extra consideration for…

Featured image for “After retention pond deaths of 2 Jacksonville children this month, ‘time to take action’”
This retention pond at the Bennett Creek apartment complex off Salisbury Road is where 2-year-old Melani Ava Mixson drowned Sept. 18, 2024. A memorial to her remained earlier this year. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today 
August 26, 2026

After retention pond deaths of 2 Jacksonville children this month, ‘time to take action’

Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr. gathered fellow lawmakers, parents developers and others to discuss how to prevent more deaths after…

Featured image for “Republican governor candidate Byron Donalds picks Bryan Avila as running mate”
Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, served as Senate Finance and Tax Chairman and led efforts to pass a tax package. | Colin Hackley
August 25, 2026

Republican governor candidate Byron Donalds picks Bryan Avila as running mate

Bryan Avila will become Florida lieutenant governor if Byron Donalds wins the general election in November.…

Featured image for “Fernandina Beach paid parking to end Nov. 18”
Paid parking spots are filled on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, four days after voters opted to kill that parking program during the primary election. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 25, 2026

Fernandina Beach paid parking to end Nov. 18

Fernandina Beach’s paid parking will end on Nov. 18.…

Featured image for “VyStar announces $5 million donation for UF graduate campus in LaVilla”
The University of Florida's Jacksonville graduate campus is set to welcome its first students this fall, with founding programs from the College of Design, Construction and Planning and the Warrington College of Business. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 25, 2026

VyStar announces $5 million donation for UF graduate campus in LaVilla

The credit union will pay out the gift over five years, as UF prepares for its first students on the…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook”
FlashVote is a platform used in more than 30 states. | FlashVote
August 25, 2026

Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook

The FlashVote platform is aimed at residents who can’t attend city meetings, with quick, anonymous surveys. Jacksonville and Atlantic Beaches…

Featured image for “Jacksonville weighing incentives for relaunch of Bellwether restaurant Downtown”
A rendering from the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority shows the revised interior of Bellwether restaurant. at 117 W. Forsyth St. Downtown. | City of Jacksonville
August 25, 2026

Jacksonville weighing incentives for relaunch of Bellwether restaurant Downtown

The new Bellwether owner are seeking a forgivable loan to help reopen the restaurant with changes to the menu and…

Featured image for “Florida seeks repeal of four required vaccines for schools”
Florida state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaks in 2021 after being named to his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. | Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida
August 24, 2026

Florida seeks repeal of four required vaccines for schools

The rule would remove Hepatitis B, chicken pox, influenza type b, and pneumococcal vaccines for public school attendance.…

Featured image for “Slow-the-growth candidates win big in St. Johns County”
Kevin Allen, Krista Joseph and Martin Pyszczymuka all ran campaigns that called for slowing St. Johns County's growth | Photos courtesy of the candidates
August 24, 2026

Slow-the-growth candidates win big in St. Johns County

From the School Board to the County Commission, this month’s primary elections scored wins for St. Johns County candidates running…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services waives adoption fees as shelter fills”
Hundreds of dogs are available for adoption at the Jacksonville shelter | Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services
August 21, 2026

Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services waives adoption fees as shelter fills

ACPS is promoting its AI-powered app JaxPawFinder to connect prospective owners with pets after a surge in shelter population.…

Featured image for “$20M fund established to spark affordable rental housing in Jacksonville”
These are some of the new apartments that have been built in Jacksonville in the past few years, including the One Riverside complex, left, and other units on Riverside Avenue and Park Street. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 20, 2026

$20M fund established to spark affordable rental housing in Jacksonville

A group of private and philanthropic investors is creating the fund as another tool to combat the housing crisis.…

Featured image for “Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County”
Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder. | File photo, Jacksonville Today
August 20, 2026

Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County

Democratic Candidate Mone Holder flipped an At-Large Jacksonville City Council seat held by a Republican for seven years.…

Featured image for “After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November”
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
August 20, 2026

After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November

Democratic leaders pledge to flip political power in Florida after 30 years of Republican governance.…