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Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.

Featured image for “You may not know Picolata, but this couple is trying to preserve it”

Picolata is a small community along the St. Johns River in west St. Johns County. The area's history goes back centuries, but very little physical evidence remains of forts and other structures that once stood. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

You may not know Picolata, but this couple is trying to preserve it

Picolata, in St. Johns County, was once a river crossing and the site of a fort, but much of the…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Dad gets 30 years for running over baby and killing him”

Justin Golden stands with attorney Kenneth Williams as he is sentenced to 30 years in prison in his baby's death. | News4Jax

Dad gets 30 years for running over baby and killing him

Justin Golden admitted he put his 8-month-old baby on the road but said he did not intend to kill him.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Raines football champions celebrated with pep rally and parade”

Raines football players are all smiles during a school pep rally to celebrate the undefeated Vikings on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Raines football champions celebrated with pep rally and parade

A parade to honor the William M. Raines football program will begin at Lonnie Miller Park at 9 a.m. Saturday.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Drag strip starts construction, the first track since 2017”

This sign now shows the planned location of the new eighth-mile Hicken Power Dragstrip at Callahan Speedway. | Image in Time Photography

Drag strip starts construction, the first track since 2017

Racing could begin in May or June at the new drag strip at Callahan Speedway, next to a go-kart complex.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Florida Supreme Court upholds death penalty law”

The bed in the execution room. | Florida Department of Corrections

Florida Supreme Court upholds death penalty law

Florida allows the death penalty without a unanimous jury recommendation — one of the nation’s lowest standards.…

By Kate Payne - Associated Press/Report for America

Featured image for “Recreational marijuana issue sent to Supreme Court”

The Florida Supreme Court determines whether proposed constitutional amendments are limited to single subjects and the proposed ballot language is clear.

Recreational marijuana issue sent to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court must decide whether a proposed constitutional amendment meets legal requirements.…

By News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Another cold front pushes through North Florida”

Another cold front pushes through North Florida

A cold front brings welcomed showers and storms to North Florida, but it will fizzle as it crosses the state.…

By Irene Sans - Storm Center

Featured image for “New 3D printing lab lets students explore engineering”

A student from Fort Caroline Elementary sits in the district's new 3D printing lab on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today

New 3D printing lab lets students explore engineering

Duval Schools students test-drive technology like 3D printing and learn real-world skills at the district’s STEM center.…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “Cummer Museum receives one of its biggest gifts ever”

The entrance to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, which just received a $3.5 million bequest from the estate of the late Betsy Lovett. | Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Cummer Museum receives one of its biggest gifts ever

The estate of philanthropist Betsy Lovett has bequested $3.5 million to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Attorney demands justice in musician’s road rage death”

Local musician Joe Starkey died Dec. 10, 2025, in a road rage incident. | Family photo

Attorney demands justice in musician’s road rage death

Joe Starkey was shot death Dec. 10 in an incident that his attorney calls a road rage homicide.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Thunderbirds will join Blue Angels for air show at NAS Jax”

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration flying team will perform in the 2026 NAS Jax Air Show, NAS Jacksonville confirmed. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Thunderbirds will join Blue Angels for air show at NAS Jax

The Air Force Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels will perform separately at NAS Jacksonville in 2026.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

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

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 “#AskJAXTDY l When will Sulzbacher hire for manufacturing jobs?”

Rendering of Sulzbacher Enterprise Village, to be completed by the end of 2026. | Sulzbacher

#AskJAXTDY l When will Sulzbacher hire for manufacturing jobs?

Enterprise Village will include manufacturing and jobs training that will be open to the community.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Florida Senate will try again to bolster rural counties”

The rural countryside of Suwannee County. | Guy Bryant, stock.adobe.com

Florida Senate will try again to bolster rural counties

The “rural renaissance bill” is back and ready to be heard by the full chamber in January.…

By Gina Jordan - WFSU

Featured image for “DeSantis suggests scrapping tolls for Florida residents”

A toll booth at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. | Google Maps

DeSantis suggests scrapping tolls for Florida residents

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants tourists to shoulder the cost of tolls instead of Florida residents.…

By Douglas Soule - WUSF

Featured image for “State will protect 2,060 acres in Putnam County”

Land within the Coastal Headwaters Longleaf Forest Florida Forever Project will be protected in Escambia County. | Lauren Yoho, Wildpath

State will protect 2,060 acres in Putnam County

The $5.6 million expenditure is part of $27 million approved statewide to protect 21,500 acres.…

By Randy Roguski

Featured image for “SR 16 remains top priority among St. Johns County roads”

Roadwork on SR 16 will remain a priority in St. Johns County. | News4Jax

SR 16 remains top priority among St. Johns County roads

Many projects have already begun on SR 16, and the corridor is expected to see even more traffic with development.…

By John Asebes - News4Jax

Featured image for “City Council members ask for voice on school closures”

A Duval Schools sign hangs on a fence at Long Branch Elementary, one of the district's planned school closures. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

City Council members ask for voice on school closures

Council members Ju’Coby Pittman and Jimmy Peluso say school closures have implications beyond the school district.…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “The hubbub over license plate frames in Florida”

This license plate frame does not obscure the letters and numbers that law enforcement officers, red-light cameras and toll booth readers use to identify drivers. | WUSF

The hubbub over license plate frames in Florida

The state has clarified a law that took effect this year, specifying which license plate frames are legal.…

By Daylina Miller - WUSF

Featured image for “Brooks Rehabilitation embarks on $68M expansion”

An artist's rendering of the planned expansion of Brooks Rehabilitation's Orange Park outpatient facility. | Brooks Rehabilitation

Brooks Rehabilitation embarks on $68M expansion

Brooks Rehabilitation will expand its Southside, Mandarin and Orange Park sites beginning next year.…

By Dan Scanlan

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 “MAD DADS dissolves, but senior member says it will return”

People sign a poster remembering murder victims during a MAD DADS march in November 2024. | MAD DADS

December 16, 2025

MAD DADS dissolves, but senior member says it will return

MAD DADS filed paperwork to dissolve itself, but the group may return in a new form with a new board.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Pecan Craft Kitchen sets opening in Julington Creek”

The kitchen inside Pecan Craft Kitchen in St. Johns County. | Pecan Kitchen

December 16, 2025

Pecan Craft Kitchen sets opening in Julington Creek

A “farm-to-fire” restaurant, Pecan Craft Kitchen will open in the former Broudy’s Liquors location.…

By J. Brooks Terry - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Khan family to occupy 3 penthouses at Four Seasons”

Construction continues on the tFour Seasons Hotel and Private Residences on Jacksonville Northbank. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

December 16, 2025

Khan family to occupy 3 penthouses at Four Seasons

Jaguars owner Shad Khan and his children will own penthouses at the property he is developing on the Northbank.…

By Karen Brune Mathis - Jacksonville Daily Record

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