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 “JTA’s budget deficit ballooned over 3 months, city auditors report”
A Skyway monorail train pulls away from the station near the Jacksonville Transportation Authority headquarters in LaVilla. | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 20, 2026

JTA’s budget deficit ballooned over 3 months, city auditors report

The transportation authority’s projected deficit grew from $2.25 million in March to $31.8 million in June.…

Featured image for “Duval’s election turnout modest; support for Angie Nixon overwhelming”
A driver arrives at Duval County Precinct 408 on the morning of the 2026 primaries | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

Duval’s election turnout modest; support for Angie Nixon overwhelming

Turnout totaled about 23%, and Nixon, the U.S. Senate candidate, won nearly every Duval precinct.…

Featured image for “New fire station replaces 46-year-old firehouse at Blount Island”
Fire Station 48 at the city's Blount Island marine terminal. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

New fire station replaces 46-year-old firehouse at Blount Island

The new, larger Fire Station 48 will protect JAXPORT and Northside neighborhoods on Heckscher Drive.…

Featured image for “1,000-plus acres of agricultural land OK’d for development in St. Johns”
This forested land, pictured across the intracoastal waterway near Palm Valley, could be developed into homes pending a decision by the St. Johns County Commission next month | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 19, 2026

1,000-plus acres of agricultural land OK’d for development in St. Johns

As many as 15,000 homes got the green light under a new law that eases the way for development.…

Featured image for “Democratic State Rep. Nixon upsets Vindman, will face Moody for U.S. Senate”
Jacksonville native Angie Nixon celebrates winning the Democratic primary nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Democratic State Rep. Nixon upsets Vindman, will face Moody for U.S. Senate

State Rep. Angie Nixon, a staunch progressive who represents part of Jacksonville in the Florida House, defeated establishment favorite Lt.…

Featured image for “Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August”
Duval County Democratic Party Chair Millie Leeds, (center) is flanked by Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder (left) and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, following their victories on primary night, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August

From school board to judges and state Legislature, here were the winners on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 18.…

Featured image for “Voters kill paid parking in Fernandina Beach with overwhelming ‘yes’”
Pay to park spots on South 7th Street in Fernandina Beach, marked with street signs and the QR code to access the system. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Voters kill paid parking in Fernandina Beach with overwhelming ‘yes’

Almost 75% of Fernandina Beach voters voted to ban paid parking in the center of the historic city’s Downtown.…

Featured image for “See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices”
August 18, 2026

See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices

Live results from Tuesday’s primary election for Congress, governor, the Florida Legislature and others.…

Featured image for “On St. Johns ballots in November: More funding for conservation?”
St. Johns County voters will be asked in November about potentially paying a little extra to fund land conservation. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

On St. Johns ballots in November: More funding for conservation?

St. Johns County voters will be asked whether they support a tax increase to help buy conservation land.…

Featured image for “Why Florida voters shouldn’t overlook today’s primary election”
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. | Susan Giles Wantuck, WUSF
August 18, 2026

Why Florida voters shouldn’t overlook today’s primary election

Many nonpartisan local contests, including school boards, are open to all voters.…

Featured image for “Duval School Board candidates take in more money than most in Florida”
Community members raise their hands at a School Board meeting on June 10, 2024, in a show of support for keeping Holiday Hill Elementary open. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
August 16, 2026

Duval School Board candidates take in more money than most in Florida

School board elections in Jacksonville have brought in a lot of money through individual, business and PAC support.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The final stretch: Pre-primary election thoughts”
Signs lines the grass outside the San Marco Library, an early voting site in the August primary elections. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
August 16, 2026

OPINION | The final stretch: Pre-primary election thoughts

Here are some of the major things to watch as primary election results come in Tuesday night.…

Featured image for “Sulzbacher and Jacksonville plan 32 shelter beds for unhoused women”
A homeless person sleeps on Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville on Feb. 15, 2024. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2026

Sulzbacher and Jacksonville plan 32 shelter beds for unhoused women

The Jacksonville City Council approved $413,900 to help the growing number of unhoused women.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Will my ballot be rejected if my signature doesn’t match?”
A vote-by-mail ballot in Duval County. | File photo, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | Will my ballot be rejected if my signature doesn’t match?

A Jacksonville Today reader says he’s older and disabled and his signature changes year to year.…

Featured image for “Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge”
St. Johns County School Board District 1 candidates Kevin Allen and Beverly Slough. | Photos courtesy of the candidates
August 14, 2026

Incumbent defends St. Johns School Board seat from newcomer’s challenge

St. Johns County voters will decide whether to retain the longest-serving member on the School Board.…

Featured image for “City Council panel ties arts and nonprofit funding to property tax vote”
Will Lahnen, chair of Jacksonville City Council's Finance Committee, leads day one of the committee's budget review on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. | City of Jacksonville
August 13, 2026

City Council panel ties arts and nonprofit funding to property tax vote

Council’s Finance Committee also rejected $4.9 million that Mayor Donna Deegan proposed for affordable housing.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands”
The Fish Island Preserve is a natural wildlife area within St. Augustine's city limits. The city owns a chunk of the 62-acre passive park. The state owns the rest. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 13, 2026

St. Augustine takes steps to protect conservation lands

The City Commission may require a unanimous vote to remove a parcel’s conservation protection. …

Featured image for “Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer”
The shuttered Kings Trail Elementary site in the San Jose neighborhood is poised to be redeveloped by Dream Finders Homes into 110 houses.
August 12, 2026

Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer

Dream Finders Homes plans to build 110 cottages, townhomes or single-family houses at the Old Kings Road site.…

Featured image for “Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open”
A boat floats at the new Met Park Marina on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, with the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences under construction in the background. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 12, 2026

Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open

The rebuilt marina includes 78 slips, electrical and water hookups, marine fuel and a store.…

Featured image for “Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?”
In this file photo, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon. | Chris O'Meara, AP
August 12, 2026

Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?

Despite a call to end childhood vaccine mandates, nothing has changed on a policy level in Florida.…

Featured image for “Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says”
Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the SunTrax testing grounds in Auburndale on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. | Ron DeSantis, Facebook
August 12, 2026

Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says

The technology could be used as air taxis, cargo delivery, medical transportation and emergency response.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?”
August 11, 2026

Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?

The City Council’s in-house lawyer has raised concerns even among his clients.…

Featured image for “Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm”
Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock. | Clay County
August 11, 2026

Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm

Lorin Mock has spent more than 40 years as a firefighter, including 27 with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.…

Featured image for “Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff”
Darnell Smith, chief of staff for Mayor Donna Deegan, speaks during the city of Jacksonville's Black History Month celebration at City Hall on Feb, 27, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 10, 2026

Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff

Darnell Smith is returning as chief of staff as Mayor Donna Deegan enters the final year of her first term.…