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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 “UNF picks Polk State president as interim leader”

Angela Garcia Falconetti has been selected as interim president at the University of North Florida. | UNF

UNF picks Polk State president as interim leader

Angela Garcia Falconetti is a Jacksonville native and two-time graduate of UNF.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Jacksonville sites added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail”

Mount Ararat Baptist Church on Myrtle Avenue North will become part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville sites added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail

Forty civil rights sites in Jacksonville will join the trail, including a church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “New housing community will serve the ‘missing middle’”

A rendering of Normandy Cove. | Housing Trust Group

New housing community will serve the ‘missing middle’

Housing Trust Group is developing Normandy Cove, an affordable housing community on the Westside.…

By Leah Foreman - Jacksonville Business Journal

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Who’s supposed to maintain the Southbank?”

Curbing at a Riverplace Boulevard crosswalk median is damaged, as are nearby bricks. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

#AskJAXTDY | Who’s supposed to maintain the Southbank?

A Jacksonville Today reader says areas on the Southbank need repairs. Who’s responsible for that? she asks.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Johns County Schools braces for budget shortfall”

St. Johns County Schools are bracing for a budget deficit. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today

St. Johns County Schools braces for budget shortfall

The school district projects a deficit between $10 million and $15 million for the 2026-2027 school year.…

By Aaron Farrar - News4Jax

Featured image for “Popular burger food truck plans San Marco restaurant”

Hard Pressed Burgers is slated to take over a space on Hendricks Avenue in San Marco where Good Dough donuts once operated. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

Popular burger food truck plans San Marco restaurant

Hard Pressed Burgers will open its first brick and mortar location, but the food trucks will continue to roll.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “11 charged in scheme to obtain military access”

U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe announces charges Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, against 11 people in a scheme to obtain military access. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

11 charged in scheme to obtain military access

The 11, mostly Chinese nationals, are accused of marriage fraud and a scheme to obtain access cards for military facilities.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “JU and Mayo Clinic to offer new nursing program”

Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing and Mayo Clinic in Florida will begin a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program beginning in fall 2026.

JU and Mayo Clinic to offer new nursing program

The master’s degree program will help people with a bachelor’s degree transition into nursing.…

By Max Marbut - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Restoration work underway to stem McCoys Creek flooding”

Major restoration work is beginning on McCoys Creek in Downtown Jacksonville. | News4Jax

Restoration work underway to stem McCoys Creek flooding

The project will restore McCoys Creek’s western headwaters to keep water from rising out of the creek.…

By Briana Brownleee - News4Jax

Featured image for “Smoky wildfires close roads and schools in Putnam County”

Heavy smoke from wildfires envelops a police car near Interlachen on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. | Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Smoky wildfires close roads and schools in Putnam County

The county is under a state of emergency due to the threat of wildfires from abnormally dry conditions.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Florida DOGE report raises questions for City Council”

Duval DOGE Committee Chair and City Council member Ron Salem speaks to news reporters after a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

Florida DOGE report raises questions for City Council

An analysis by the Jacksonville City Council auditor noted several instances of missing context in the state DOGE report.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “FBI recognizes Jacksonville pastor for crime fighting”

The Rev. Korey O’Neal, left, is greeted by Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Dunn. | FBI Jacksonville

FBI recognizes Jacksonville pastor for crime fighting

The Rev. Korey O’Neal, Project RISE program director, got the FBI Jacksonville Director’s Community Leadership Award…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Nonstop flights to Toronto are returning to Jacksonville”

Air Canada nonstop flights from Jacksonville International Airport to Toronto will be on Airbus A330-300 jets. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Nonstop flights to Toronto are returning to Jacksonville

Air Canada will fly between Jacksonville and Toronto beginning May 27, with one-way fares starting at $320.…

By J. Brooks Terry - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Proposed constitutional amendments fail to make ballot”

A farmer checks marijuana or cannabis in a greenhouse. | iStockphoto

February 2, 2026

Proposed constitutional amendments fail to make ballot

But proponents of an amendment legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida have not given up.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “State of Florida to cover Duval Schools’ legal defense in free-speech suits by teachers”

February 2, 2026

State of Florida to cover Duval Schools’ legal defense in free-speech suits by teachers

Jacksonville and Clay County teachers are bringing lawsuits alleging free speech violations.…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “Old stately trees weigh heavy in Atlantic Beach”

Atlantic Beach puts up notices of tree removal on properties being developed. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

February 2, 2026

Old stately trees weigh heavy in Atlantic Beach

Residents are imploring city administrators to do more to protect legacy trees from development.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s 60-year-old federal building could be sold”

Federal officials are considering the sale of the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building due to low occupancy and high maintenance costs. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

February 2, 2026

Jacksonville’s 60-year-old federal building could be sold

A federal panel is considering whether to sell the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building in Downtown Jacksonville.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Augustine seeks to redevelop West City area”

Businesses like Blue Hen Cafe and Graet Goods vintage dot West King Street, the main commercial thoroughfare of the West City neighborhood in St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

February 2, 2026

St. Augustine seeks to redevelop West City area

A new program aims to help West City homeowners with costly repairs in the underserved area.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Deegan plans another round of town hall meetings”

Mayor Donna Deegan hosted a community conversation at the Legends Center in the Sherwood neighborhood on Aug. 24, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

February 2, 2026

Deegan plans another round of town hall meetings

The first of eight town halls is scheduled for Tuesday at William Raines Senior High School.…

By Jacksonville Today

Featured image for “3 measles cases in Northeast Florida feed vaccination debate”

The virus that causes measles is highly contagious. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

January 30, 2026

3 measles cases in Northeast Florida feed vaccination debate

Doctors are encouraging people to get accurate information about measles and immunization.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | #AskJAXTDY: Property tax spending on schools?”

1 mill property tax spending by Duval Schools

January 30, 2026

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | #AskJAXTDY: Property tax spending on schools?

This Number of the Week is also an #AskJAXTDY. Jacksonville Today reader Jane G. wonders what happens to the money…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “Detainees pepper-sprayed at Deportation Depot”

The fence and towers are shown at the Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson on Aug. 14, 2025. | Gary McCullough, AP file

January 30, 2026

Detainees pepper-sprayed at Deportation Depot

Authorities pepper-sprayed detainees at least twice at the Deportation Depot immigration detention center in Baker County.…

By David Fischer - Associated Press

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Who is liable for dogs on restaurant patios?”

The city's permitting process that makes it legal for restaurants to allow dogs in outdoor dining patios is now live. | Hanna Raskin

January 29, 2026

#AskJAXTDY l Who is liable for dogs on restaurant patios?

If a dog bites someone on a patio, who’s liable — the restaurant, the dog owner or the other patron?…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Jacksonville Zoo to debut new entrance and manatee exhibit”

The new entrance at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens shades the new manatee exhibit. Both are set to officially open March 6. | Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

January 29, 2026

Jacksonville Zoo to debut new entrance and manatee exhibit

The improvements are part of a $52 million renovation plan at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.…

By Dan Scanlan

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