Featured image for “Respiratory illnesses on the rise on First Coast”
Northeast Florida has hit the peak of respiratory virus season. l Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash
January 5, 2024

Respiratory illnesses on the rise on First Coast

Some hospitals say they are seeing more cases of COVID-19, the flu and RSV. The trend is likely to continue…

Featured image for “Bookseller says it’s giving away books removed from Duval schools”
These are some of the 22,500 books that Firestorm Books says were removed from Duval schools. | Firestorm Books
January 5, 2024

Bookseller says it’s giving away books removed from Duval schools

Firestorm Books of Asheville, North Carolina, says it obtained more than 22,000 books that had been removed from Duval County…

Featured image for “Jax senator proposes to shield medical examiner information”
State Sen. Clay Yarborough.
January 5, 2024

Jax senator proposes to shield medical examiner information

Sen. Clay Yarborough filed a bill that would block the disclosure of information such as addresses, telephone numbers and dates…

Featured image for “FDA approves Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada”
January 5, 2024

FDA approves Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada

Florida’s proposal is the first the agency has OK’d. The state has to clear a lot more hurdles, however, before…

Featured image for “Abortion measure has enough signatures for ballot”
January 5, 2024

Abortion measure has enough signatures for ballot

Now, focus will shift to the Florida Supreme Court, which has to sign off on the wording of proposed ballot…

Featured image for “Trash pickup reduced in Fernandina Beach”
WM will pick up trash once a week in Fernandina Beach. | Waste Management
January 5, 2024

Trash pickup reduced in Fernandina Beach

The city’s new contract with WM reduces pickup from twice a week to once beginning Monday.…

Featured image for “‘Half-baked’ Laura Street Trio deal sent back to Downtown Investment Authority by Council”
Lori Boyer, CEO of Jacksonville's Downtown Investment Authority, speaks to City Council during a special meeting about the potential city investment in the redevelopment of the Laura Street Trio. | Screenshot from City of Jacksonville website
January 4, 2024

‘Half-baked’ Laura Street Trio deal sent back to Downtown Investment Authority by Council

A potential $38.5 million deal to redevelop the historic Laura Street Trio needs more work, the City Council decided Thursday. …

Featured image for “Palatka rep files proposal to lower gun-buying age”
Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, proposed lowering a minimum gun-buying age from 21 to 18. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida
January 4, 2024

Palatka rep files proposal to lower gun-buying age

Republican Rep. Bobby Payne wants to lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 for people to buy rifles and…

Featured image for “After Surfside collapse, Florida is seeing a condo boom”
January 4, 2024

After Surfside collapse, Florida is seeing a condo boom

Older buildings, especially those near the beach, are being replaced with luxury condominiums.…

Featured image for “Florida’s surgeon general calls for halt in COVID-19 vaccines”
Gov. Ron DeSantis listens to Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo during an appearance Sept. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 4, 2024

Florida’s surgeon general calls for halt in COVID-19 vaccines

The statement from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo contradicts recommendations from federal health agencies.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville man’s conviction overturned because of witness hypnosis after 44 years in prison”
January 3, 2024

Jacksonville man’s conviction overturned because of witness hypnosis after 44 years in prison

Willie Lee Williams’ victim wasn’t able to identify him as the perpetrator until he was hypnotized by police, a fact…

Featured image for “New voter cards may change where you vote in Duval”
New voter information cards are being sent to registered voters across Duval County. l Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
January 3, 2024

New voter cards may change where you vote in Duval

The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office is sending out new voter information cards that will show any changes in…

Featured image for “Supreme Court will consider abortion measure next month”
January 3, 2024

Supreme Court will consider abortion measure next month

Justices will hear arguments Feb. 7 about whether to allow a proposed constitutional amendment on the Florida ballot in November.…

Featured image for “Battle heats up over DeSantis’ travel records”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will lead to the history of communism being taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. | Phil Sears, AP file
January 3, 2024

Battle heats up over DeSantis’ travel records

The Washington Post contends that aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis have stifled the release of information about DeSantis’ flights.…

Featured image for “14 busted in undercover drug sting; 13 more sought”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks at a news conference.
January 3, 2024

14 busted in undercover drug sting; 13 more sought

Operation Players Club also seized 26 guns as well as 118 pounds of methamphetamine, 12.5 kilos of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana…

Featured image for “10 big issues to watch in 2024 legislative session”
Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State address to start the 2022 legislative session. | Tom Urban, News Service of Florida
January 3, 2024

10 big issues to watch in 2024 legislative session

Florida lawmakers will start the annual 60-day legislative session Tuesday, with Gov. Ron DeSantis giving his State of the State…

Featured image for “St. Johns County sheriff files for reelection”
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick has filed for reelection. | News4Jax
January 3, 2024

St. Johns County sheriff files for reelection

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick joined a race that includes two other Republicans: Lance Damron and Nathan Datsko.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Council rails over removal of Confederate statues”
Jacksonville General Counsel Michael Fackler listens to City Council questions Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, about the removal of Confederate statutes from Springfield Park.
January 2, 2024

Jacksonville Council rails over removal of Confederate statues

City Council members spent over an hour Tuesday criticizing General Counsel Michael Fackler for the removal of Confederate statues in…

Featured image for “Beach walkover and parking planned for Crescent Beach”
Crews are in the process of demolishing the old South Beach Grill restaurant in Crescent Beach to make way for a new beach walkover and parking l St. Johns County
January 2, 2024

Beach walkover and parking planned for Crescent Beach

The old South Beach Grill restaurant is being demolished to make way for a new beach walkover and parking by…

Featured image for “Stranded sailboat dismantled on Jacksonville Beach”
Crews work to demolish 40-foot sailboat that has been stranded on Jacksonville Beach since October. | Travis Gibson, News4Jax
January 2, 2024

Stranded sailboat dismantled on Jacksonville Beach

After being stuck on the sand of Jacksonville Beach since late October, a 40-foot sailboat was demolished and removed Tuesday…

Featured image for “Cigars International is building at The Strand at Town Center”
Cigars International plans a store, bar and lounge in The Strand at Town Center. | Jacksonville Daily Record
January 2, 2024

Cigars International is building at The Strand at Town Center

Cigars International has 10 locations in Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida, including sites in Tampa and Lutz.…

Featured image for “Proposed law could limit pride flags at public buildings”
January 2, 2024

Proposed law could limit pride flags at public buildings

A Florida Senate Republican has proposed a bill that would restrict the types of flags that can be flown by…

Featured image for “Duval awarded $32 million to renourish beaches”
A sign warns of dune restoration at Little Talbot Island in 2016. | Blake Allen, WHCT News 89.9
January 2, 2024

Duval awarded $32 million to renourish beaches

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ grant will pay to renourish critically eroded beachfront in Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches.…

Featured image for “Florida bill raises concerns about safety of working teens”
January 2, 2024

Florida bill raises concerns about safety of working teens

Senate Bill 460 would allow teens ages 16 and 17 to work at heights over 6 feet if they earn…