Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.
Featured image for “Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan”
State Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, filed his intention to run for Jacksonville mayor on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
11 minutes ago

Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan

Duggan cited affordability and turmoil at the city’s independent authorities as campaign priorities.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters files to seek reelection”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks with Jacksonville Today on Thursday, July 9, 2026. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
6 hours ago

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters files to seek reelection

Waters is touting lower crime and reduced gang violence since he won the office in November 2022.…

Featured image for “Developers offer first look at plans for Hard Rock Hotel in Jacksonville”
The proposed Hard Rock Hotel includes a disc-shaped 18th-floor nightclub that developer Michael Munz described as a “record album floating out of the hotel.” | Downtown Development Review Board
7 hours ago

Developers offer first look at plans for Hard Rock Hotel in Jacksonville

The Hard Rock on Bay Street would include a 350-key hotel and 152 residences, plus restaurants and event space.…

Featured image for “Florida forecast: Much-needed rain on the way, too much?”
Periods of heavy rain can obstruct visibility on the road and make driving dangerous.
1 day ago

Florida forecast: Much-needed rain on the way, too much?

Florida finally has a meaningful opportunity to put a dent in its drought, but the same prolonged wet pattern that…

Featured image for “Domestic abuse killed more people in Duval County last year”
1 day ago

Domestic abuse killed more people in Duval County last year

Prosecutors and social service providers released new data to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.…

Featured image for “New Venetia Elementary plan a prototype for future Duval elementary schools”
Janelle Cox, a Venetia Elementary parent, tells district officials she's looking forward to a rebuilt school at a community meeting on Sept. 29, 2026, as School Board member Reggie Blount and district COO Jim Culbert look on. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

New Venetia Elementary plan a prototype for future Duval elementary schools

It was standing room only at Hyde Grove Elementary on Tuesday, with 100 people packed into the cafeteria, sitting in…

Featured image for “Grafton & Fleck’s steakhouse will soon replace Ragtime Tavern in Atlantic Beach”
The design for the rooftop lounge at Grafton & Fleck’s includes views of the beach community. | Charlene Shirk Public Relations
1 day ago

Grafton & Fleck’s steakhouse will soon replace Ragtime Tavern in Atlantic Beach

The steakhouse, with a rooftop lounge, broke ground Wednesday. It is expected to open by summer 2027.…

Featured image for “Education commissioner tells districts to remove sexually explicit books”
Henry Mack, as senior chancellor with Florida Department of Education, tours St. Petersburg College in February 2022. Mack was approved as Florida education commissioner on July 22, 2026. | St. Petersburg College, Facebook
1 day ago

Education commissioner tells districts to remove sexually explicit books

Commissioner Henry Mack said districts will be held accountable if they don’t remove books even without a complaint.…

Featured image for “Clay County woman accused of draining $100K from disabled person in her care”
1 day ago

Clay County woman accused of draining $100K from disabled person in her care

Inez Sullivan is accused of transferring the disabled person’s money to her own account for more than seven years.…

Featured image for “DeSantis exercises ‘unprecedented’ power to label groups ‘domestic terrorists’ ”
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Florida International University call on the school to divest from Israeli military contractors. | Diego Perdomo, courtesy of WLRN.
1 day ago

DeSantis exercises ‘unprecedented’ power to label groups ‘domestic terrorists’ 

A new law makes it a crime to provide “material support’ to domestic terrorist organizations.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Island Hop Beer & Spirits Fest; ‘Floribunda’ opening; Pride Fest; Crocodile talk”
The Floribunda show (seen here in 2024) returns this weekend to CoRK.
1 day ago

WHAT TO DO | Island Hop Beer & Spirits Fest; ‘Floribunda’ opening; Pride Fest; Crocodile talk

A craft beer & spirits fest in Fernandina Beach; the Floribunda art opening in Riverside; Jacksonville’s annual LGBT pride parade…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | How will JEA’s new electric and water rates affect me?”
JEA's electric and water/sewer rate increases go into effect Oct. 1, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

#AskJAXTDY | How will JEA’s new electric and water rates affect me?

JEA says average electric bills are expected to get lower, despite an Oct. 1 rate increase, while water bills will…

Featured image for “Duval School Board to consider allowing guns in cars on school property”
Currently, Duval Schools does not allow guns on school property. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

Duval School Board to consider allowing guns in cars on school property

Duval County Schools may change its policy and allow employees to store guns in their cars at school.…

Featured image for “Military priority at TSA, gate access for non-flyers begin at Jacksonville airport this week”
Travelers approach the TSA security check at the Jacksonville airport on Sept. 30, 2026. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

Military priority at TSA, gate access for non-flyers begin at Jacksonville airport this week

As the holiday travel season looms, TSA reminded travelers what not to bring with them as they board an airplane…

Featured image for “Mentally ill defendants in Florida jails are waiting months for treatment: Lawsuit”
Inmates in the Duval County jail are among those awaiting transfer to a state hospital for mental health treatment, a lawsuit says. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

Mentally ill defendants in Florida jails are waiting months for treatment: Lawsuit

Disability Rights Florida estimates that at least 650 defendants are awaiting transfer to a state hospital across Florida…

Featured image for “State attorney general subpoenas JTA amid transit agency’s budget woes”
The JTA headquarters and regional transportation center.
September 29, 2026

State attorney general subpoenas JTA amid transit agency’s budget woes

The subpoena demands JTA provide contracts and communications linked to vendors, services, and former CEO Nat Ford.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Housing Authority board member sues agency over loss of her own housing aid”
Jacksonville Housing Authority headquarters Downtown. | News4Jax
September 29, 2026

Jacksonville Housing Authority board member sues agency over loss of her own housing aid

A member of the Jacksonville Housing Authority is suing the agency she oversees for terminating her housing assistance.…

Featured image for “Florida’s minimum wage increases to $15 on Wednesday”
This Oct. 24, 2016 file photo shows dollar bills in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
September 29, 2026

Florida’s minimum wage increases to $15 on Wednesday

Florida workers are seeing a pay increase this month as the state’s minimum wage hits $15 per hour — the…

Featured image for “Teacher charged after sending disturbing email, allegedly touching student at school”
Brian Wilker Orr, a Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts teacher, is facing multiple felony charges allegedly slapping a student on the buttocks and sending a disturbing email to students and school employees. | News4Jax
September 29, 2026

Teacher charged after sending disturbing email, allegedly touching student at school

The Darnell-Cook School of the Medical Arts teacher faces multiple felony charges after a disturbing email and alleged student contact.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim to retire”
St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim was appointed in 2023. | City of St. Augustine
September 29, 2026

St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim to retire

St. Augustine City Manager David Birchim will retire this year.…

Featured image for “At the Italian American Club of Jacksonville, Ohioans bring the spaghetti-supper love”
Italian American Club of Jacksonville members preparing a spaghetti dinner. They refused to reveal any details of the house recipe for meatballs and sauce | Hanna Raskin
September 29, 2026

At the Italian American Club of Jacksonville, Ohioans bring the spaghetti-supper love

The Italian American Club of Jacksonville will host its Festa Italiana on Oct. 24. Get a taste any month at…

Featured image for “JAXPORT tenants report lower demand as global economic pressures slow shipments”
JAXPORT officials said Sept. 28 that global economic conditions, including tariffs and a drought slowing Panama Canal traffic, have contributed to a 5% year-over-year decline in container tonnage and vessel calls. | Jacksonville Daily Record
September 29, 2026

JAXPORT tenants report lower demand as global economic pressures slow shipments

JAXPORT officials say a slowdown in shipping due to Iranian and U.S. blockades of the Strait of Hormuz has also…

Featured image for “Carrico won’t seek City Council reelection, will launch advisory firm with wife”
Jacksonville City Council member Kevin Carrico says he will not run for reelection to launch an advisory firm with his wife Daysi Jacobson Carrico. | Alignment G
September 28, 2026

Carrico won’t seek City Council reelection, will launch advisory firm with wife

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico will not seek a third term in 2027 and will launch Alignment Global Partners.…

Featured image for “Armada must pay full price for Downtown stadium land after missing deadline”
A rendering from 2023 shows early plans for the Jacksonville Armada's proposed Downtown stadium, which the club has yet to build. | Jacksonville Daily Record
September 28, 2026

Armada must pay full price for Downtown stadium land after missing deadline

Local attorney Chris Campione announced still incomplete plans in October 2025 to purchase the Armada soccer team.…