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Google Source preferences screenshot
April 29, 2026

How to see more Jacksonville Today stories in your Google Search results

How to use Google Preferred Sources to see more stories from Jacksonville Today in your search results…

Featured image for “Brooklyn bars approved to sell alcohol until 3 a.m., an hour later than past”
A view down the street in Brooklyn. | News4Jax
April 29, 2026

Brooklyn bars approved to sell alcohol until 3 a.m., an hour later than past

Jacksonville City Council approved later hours in Brooklyn to match other Downtown areas.…

Featured image for “A drone show and crustacean creations – it’s time for Shrimp Fest”
Crowds check out arts and crafts on Centre Street as part of a recent Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach. | Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival 
April 29, 2026

A drone show and crustacean creations – it’s time for Shrimp Fest

The 61st annual shrimp festival comes to Fernandina Beach this weekend — with a few changes.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville groups decry Florida’s proposed congressional redistricting”
A voting booth. Some Florida voters may be casting ballots in new congressional districts if maps proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis are enacted.
April 28, 2026

Jacksonville groups decry Florida’s proposed congressional redistricting

Voting rights advocates say politics are behind a redistricting map proposed this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

Featured image for “Florida House again rejects vaccine and AI proposals”
Sen. Clay Yarborugh of Jacksonville sponsored a bill expanding vaccine exemptions. | Florida House of Representatives
April 28, 2026

Florida House again rejects vaccine and AI proposals

House Speaker Daniel Perez said the chamber would not take up the bills, both priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis.…

Featured image for “Construction starts on Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School”
The original Hogan–Spring Glen Elementary School on Beach Boulevard. | Duval County Public Schools
April 28, 2026

Construction starts on Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School

The new school, part of Duval County’s school consolidation plan, is scheduled to open in August 2027.…

Featured image for “Former youth pastor charged with sexual battery on teen”
April 28, 2026

Former youth pastor charged with sexual battery on teen

The girl said Joshua Allen Trent abused her for about five years beginning when she was 15.…

Featured image for “He died in a Northeast Florida jail. The company in charge should have sent him to the hospital, experts say.”
Family photos of Brian Tracey kept by his sister, Lillian Scharf, who has tried for three years to get answers about how her brother died at a jail in St. Johns County in 2023. | Greg Kahn for ProPublica
April 28, 2026

He died in a Northeast Florida jail. The company in charge should have sent him to the hospital, experts say.

Inmate Brian Tracey died in the St. Johns County jail after Armor Health failed to take him to a hospital.…

Featured image for “DeSantis unveils voting map that could help Republicans”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the White House in March. He unveiled a new congressional map Monday. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, AP
April 27, 2026

DeSantis unveils voting map that could help Republicans

Legislators will consider a new congressional map that could flip four districts from Democratic to Republican.…

Featured image for “Georgia fire grows; Glynn County homes evacuated”
A photo provided by the Office of Gov. Brian Kemp shows smoke produced from a wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia, on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Office of Gov. Brian Kemp via AP
April 27, 2026

Georgia fire grows; Glynn County homes evacuated

The Highway 82 fire remains 6% contained a week after it began. The fire has destroyed at least 87 homes.…

Featured image for “Phoenix Arts & Innovation District prepares for housing”
The Phoenix Arts & Innovation District launched a new phase that will include multifamily construction, shown here in a rendering. | Jacksonville Daily Record
April 27, 2026

Phoenix Arts & Innovation District prepares for housing

The Phoenix project in North Springfield plans to break ground soon on its first new construction.…

Featured image for “How much rainfall is needed to end Florida’s drought?”
Wildfires burned Clay and Putnam counties. | Florida Forest Service
April 27, 2026

How much rainfall is needed to end Florida’s drought?

Even a hurricane might not bring enough rain to end the drought in Jacksonville and other parts of North Florida.…

Featured image for “State Rep. Angie Nixon qualifies for U.S. Senate run”
State Rep. Angie Nixon. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 27, 2026

State Rep. Angie Nixon qualifies for U.S. Senate run

Nixon, a Democrat, will run for the seat held by Republican Ashley Moody, who was appointed last year.…

Featured image for “Florida’s special session: Redistricting, vaccines and AI rights”
Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, sponsored a bill that prohibited local governments from using taxpayer dollars to fund diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs. He spoke during a bill signing Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 25, 2026

Florida’s special session: Redistricting, vaccines and AI rights

Florida’s GOP lawmakers will bring new congressional maps into a nationwide redistricting battle next week.…

Featured image for “Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire”
Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department firefighter James Crews. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office
April 24, 2026

Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire

Firefighter James Crews died after a medical emergency while battling a Hilliard wildfire, officials said.…

Featured image for “State education commissioner berates St. Johns County superintendent”
The St. Johns County School District faces a budget shortfall that the superintendent blames partly on private school vouchers. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
April 24, 2026

State education commissioner berates St. Johns County superintendent

Superintendent Brennan Asplen was upbraided for criticizing Florida’s private school voucher program.…

Featured image for “Clay-Putnam wildfire now 65% contained”
Two fires burning near the Clay–Putnam County line have merged into the massive Railroad Fire. | Jesse Hanson, Newsw4Jax
April 24, 2026

Clay-Putnam wildfire now 65% contained

The so-called Railroad wildfire spans 4,413 acres, but evacuated families have been allowed to return home.…

Featured image for “Whole Foods set to open May 21 in Brooklyn”
The Whole Foods grocery store in Brooklyn will open May 21 with giveaways to the first 300 customers. | Ric Anderson, Jacksonville Daily Record
April 24, 2026

Whole Foods set to open May 21 in Brooklyn

Whole Foods will open in the One Riverside development, at the site of the demolished Florida Times-Union building.…

Featured image for “Beaches Habitat for Humanity opens townhomes”
The first quad building of townhomes at Coastal Haven will be complete in summer. | Leah Foreman, Jacksonville Business Journal
April 24, 2026

Beaches Habitat for Humanity opens townhomes

The 44-unit townhome project will address a a need for attainable housing in the Beaches area.…

Featured image for “87 homes lost in Southeast Georgia wildfires”
Georgia Department of Corrections inmate fire teams are assisting with the Brantley County fires. | Georgia Department of Corrections
April 24, 2026

87 homes lost in Southeast Georgia wildfires

The wildfire destroyed dozens of homes within hours of erupting Tuesday. It remains only 15% contained.…

Featured image for “Dozens of books removed from Duval Schools include ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ and Maya Angelou”
A statue of children reading in front of DCPS headquarters | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
April 23, 2026

Dozens of books removed from Duval Schools include ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ and Maya Angelou

The district continues to remove books from its shelves because of a long-running internal review.…

Featured image for “Former preschool teacher gets 10 years for enticing child”
April 23, 2026

Former preschool teacher gets 10 years for enticing child

The former Nocatee teacher was accused of communicating with an FBI agent who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Beach hosts annual Opening of the Beaches”
Volunteer lifeguards take part in a recent Opening of the Beaches parade in Jacksonville Beach. | City of Jacksonville Beach
April 23, 2026

Jacksonville Beach hosts annual Opening of the Beaches

Opening of the Beaches represents the unofficial start of the summer season in Jacksonville Beach.…

Featured image for “Conservationists optimistic as sea turtle season ramps up”
Pink the sea turtle looks at the camera while at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. | Courtesy of the Turtle Hospital
April 23, 2026

Conservationists optimistic as sea turtle season ramps up

Community education and conservation have led to cautious optimism heading into sea turtle nesting season.…