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 “Terrance Freeman will leave Jax City Council in November; special election set”
Terrance Freeman was among the nine members of the Jacksonville City Council who discussed their budget priorities for the 2025-26 fiscal year on the steps of City Hall on Aug. 25, 2025. | Will Brown
May 29, 2026

Terrance Freeman will leave Jax City Council in November; special election set

Freeman, a Republican, will resign effective Nov. 2 to run for Florida House District 12.…

Featured image for “JTA raises fares and cuts services to make up for budget deficit”
The JTA headquarters and regional transportation center.
May 29, 2026

JTA raises fares and cuts services to make up for budget deficit

The JTA board approved a $139.2 million budget Thursday that included the cuts and fare increases.…

Featured image for “Culinary Institute eyes San Antonio as model for Jacksonville campus”
A rendering shows the hotel, convention center and culinary institute proposed by Corner Lot and investment partner Aspect Holdings LLC on the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 28, 2026

Culinary Institute eyes San Antonio as model for Jacksonville campus

City Council voted to endorse a future $35 million incentives deal for a riverfront high-rise anchored by the Culinary Institute.…

Featured image for “Debate hits high gear over SUN Trail segment in St. Johns County”
A cyclist rides at night in the bike lane of A1A Beach Boulevard. The local SUN Trail project will replace a sidewalk. | Courtesy Brayan Krepley
May 28, 2026

Debate hits high gear over SUN Trail segment in St. Johns County

Years into the project, debate continues over whether the SUN Trail is planned for the correct spot.…

Featured image for “City Council decides not to rule out redlined neighborhoods for next jail”
Congressional candidate LaShonda Holloway, center, holds a sign outside Jacksonville City Hall on Friday, May 22, 2026, denouncing any plans for a new jail facility in areas that were previously redlined. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 27, 2026

City Council decides not to rule out redlined neighborhoods for next jail

Jacksonville lawmakers voted down a bill recommending that the jail planning process exclude redlined areas of the city.…

Featured image for “DeSantis unveils plan to eliminate most property taxes”
Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for a special legislative session during a news conference Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Tampa. | The Florida Channel
May 27, 2026

DeSantis unveils plan to eliminate most property taxes

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants legislators to put a property tax referendum on the election ballot for November.…

Featured image for “Judge rules Florida’s new congressional map will remain intact for midterms”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new congressional map into law in May 2026.
May 27, 2026

Judge rules Florida’s new congressional map will remain intact for midterms

Voting rights groups vowed to appeal, but they would have to act before congressional candidates qualify.…

Featured image for “Records in Jacksonville teacher speech case tie school board member to complaint ”
Hope McMath outside the Duval Schools headquarters at a rally held Oct. 7, 2025. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 26, 2026

Records in Jacksonville teacher speech case tie school board member to complaint 

Hope McMath is asking the state to end its investigation of her social media speech, as state records tie the…

Featured image for “Nick Howland voted City Council president, Joe Carlucci VP”
Jacksonville City Council member Nick Howland was elected city council president for the 2026-27 council year. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 26, 2026

Nick Howland voted City Council president, Joe Carlucci VP

The incoming City Council president and vice president say they want to build consensus after a contentious year.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers reach a budget deal with a vote set for Friday”
House and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget late Sunday, May 24, 2026, the last step in an extended process that required a special session to complete for the second year in a row.
May 26, 2026

Florida lawmakers reach a budget deal with a vote set for Friday

The budget agreement includes money for school vouchers, AIDS drug assistance and Everglades restoration.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The art of the viral moment: Angie Nixon’s lesson for the political establishment”
State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Fla., speaks through a megaphone on the House floor as the House votes on redistricting during a special session of the Florida Legislature on April 29, 2026. / AP Photo/Mike Stewart
May 24, 2026

OPINION | The art of the viral moment: Angie Nixon’s lesson for the political establishment

If you’re looking for structural critique from a legislator, Angie Nixon provides it. But will she go in on her…

Featured image for “Gateway Jax: For Pearl Square to work, it has to be done ‘all at once’”
Gateway Jax Inc. Bryan Moll gives a tour of the nearly $1 billion Pearl Square development site on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
May 22, 2026

Gateway Jax: For Pearl Square to work, it has to be done ‘all at once’

Gateway says the first residential building in Pearl Square could open by September as the total project cost closes in…

Featured image for “Florida revamps red snapper fishing after court issues ban in South Atlantic”
A fishing boat heads out to sea as the sun breaks through the clouds in Surfside. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
May 22, 2026

Florida revamps red snapper fishing after court issues ban in South Atlantic

The FWC rescinded an executive order expanding red snapper fishing in state waters.…

Featured image for “Florida biologist wins $485,000 for her firing over Charlie Kirk post”
Conservative activist Charlie Cook, founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down during a public appearance in Utah. | Gage Skidmore, Wikipedia Commons
May 22, 2026

Florida biologist wins $485,000 for her firing over Charlie Kirk post

Brittney Brown was fired after reposting a meme claiming Kirk wouldn’t care about children being shot.…

Featured image for “PolitiFact FL: Alligator Alcatraz may close. Trump and DeSantis statements clash with facts.”
"Alligator Alcatraz" is shown during construction in the Florida Everglades on July 4, 2025. | Rebecca Blackwell, AP
May 21, 2026

PolitiFact FL: Alligator Alcatraz may close. Trump and DeSantis statements clash with facts.

PolitiFact found that Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump miscast information about costs and detainees.…

Featured image for “Behind closed doors: How Florida’s state budget gets made”
House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure, left, and Senate Budget Chair Ed Hooper take questions from reporters during last year's budget-making process on June 13, 2025. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
May 21, 2026

Behind closed doors: How Florida’s state budget gets made

Legislative leaders are negotiating next year’s budget, a secretive process Gov. Ron DeSantis likens to selecting a pope.…

Featured image for “Culinary Institute gets show of support for riverfront campus in Jacksonville”
A rendering shows the hotel, convention center and culinary institute proposed by Corner Lot and investment partner Aspect Holdings LLC on the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 20, 2026

Culinary Institute gets show of support for riverfront campus in Jacksonville

A City Council committee signaled support for $35 million in incentives to lure the Culinary Institute of America.…

Featured image for “JEA execs subpoenaed as council investigation opens door to charter changes”
Rory Diamond is one of three people on the Jacksonville City Council's Special Investigatory Committee on JEA on Monday, April 13, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 19, 2026

JEA execs subpoenaed as council investigation opens door to charter changes

City Council’s Finance Committee authorized three subpoenas Tuesday including one for JEA CEO Vickie Cavey.…

Featured image for “WATCH: Rep. Angie Nixon protests US House map, leading to her arrest”
Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonsville, stages a sit-in at Gov Ron DeSantis' office on Friday, May 15, 2026. | Angie Nixon, Facebook
May 19, 2026

WATCH: Rep. Angie Nixon protests US House map, leading to her arrest

Nixon staged a sit-in outside the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying Republicans gerrymandered congressional districts.…

Featured image for “City officials silent on status of Holon factory for autonomous vehicles”
The $100 million Holon autonomous vehicle factory is planned in Eastport Exchange industrial park at 10145 Eastport Road in North Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 18, 2026

City officials silent on status of Holon factory for autonomous vehicles

The $100 million Holon autonomous vehicle plant was supposed to break ground in April, but the date came and went.…

Featured image for “Florida expands armed guardian program to colleges and universities”
Florida State University students wait for news amid an active shooter incident at the school’s campus April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee. | Kate Payne, AP
May 18, 2026

Florida expands armed guardian program to colleges and universities

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the armed guardian bill Friday, saying it would make colleges and universities safer.…

Featured image for “State Rep. Angie Nixon arrested after sit-in outside governor’s office”
Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville staged a sit-in outside the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. | Angie Nixon, Facebook
May 15, 2026

State Rep. Angie Nixon arrested after sit-in outside governor’s office

Nixon said she was protesting the lack of affordability in Florida as well as new Republican congressional maps.…

Featured image for “State Rep. Angie Nixon reprimanded for disrupting Florida House”
State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, speaks with a megaphone on the House floor during a debate about a redistricting bill on April 29, 2026. | Mike Stewart, AP
May 14, 2026

State Rep. Angie Nixon reprimanded for disrupting Florida House

Nixon spoke with a megaphone while protesting a redistricting bill that she considered unconstitutional.…

Featured image for “City seals $12M deal to keep Winn-Dixie HQ — and a Brentwood store open”
Winn-Dixie Co's headquarters is on Jacksonville's Westside. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 14, 2026

City seals $12M deal to keep Winn-Dixie HQ — and a Brentwood store open

Winn-Dixie’s $12 million deal with the city is expected to bring 200 new jobs to its Jacksonville corporate headquarters.…