Stay informed with nonprofit-backed local reporting — today’s headlines on Jacksonville politics, schools, environment, urban planning, public safety, and more.
Featured image for “St. Johns County Clerk’s Office enhances access to services”
St. Johns County Clerk of Court Brandon Patty shows County Commission Chair Clay Murphy around the new public service center in St. Augustine.
September 16, 2026

St. Johns County Clerk’s Office enhances access to services

It’s now a little easier to get your marriage license, passport application and public records sorted out.…

Featured image for “St. Johns sheriff defends Flock cameras; commissioners consider moratorium”
A Flock Safety license plate reader is seen along a public road. | David Goldman, AP file
September 16, 2026

St. Johns sheriff defends Flock cameras; commissioners consider moratorium

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick made a passionate defense of the department’s use of the Flock Safety license plate…

Featured image for “Amendment 3 could reduce funding for children’s services, report warns”
Children's Services Councils, or CSCs, fund services for children and families. | Monkey Business Images, Adobe Stock
September 16, 2026

Amendment 3 could reduce funding for children’s services, report warns

Amendment 3 would reduce property taxes, but it could eliminate $278 million for children’s services.…

Featured image for “Nassau school district finds racial slurs unsubstantiated; calls for accountability mount”
The Rev. Darrien K. Bolden Sr. prayed for unity and love at the outset of a Sept. 15 community conversation following racism accusations at a Sept. 10 volleyball match in Fernandina Beach. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 15, 2026

Nassau school district finds racial slurs unsubstantiated; calls for accountability mount

On Tuesday evening, more than 200 people gathered inside First Missionary Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach to demand more accountability…

Featured image for “New Baldwin principal removed after gun found in his car at school”
Superintendent Christopher Bernier addresses reporters at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
September 15, 2026

New Baldwin principal removed after gun found in his car at school

Michael Smith, the principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, was removed Tuesday after police discovered a loaded handgun in his…

Featured image for “‘World-class ingredients:’ Oxford Economics ranks Jacksonville as a top 5 city to watch”
Mayor Donna Deegan speaks about Oxford Economics ranking Jacksonville a top 5 city to watch in North America during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at City Hall. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
September 15, 2026

‘World-class ingredients:’ Oxford Economics ranks Jacksonville as a top 5 city to watch

“Jacksonville is a standout city — even by fast-growing Florida standards,” the economics firm said.…

Featured image for “Pediatric illnesses illuminate hunger challenge facing Northeast Florida families”
Jaguars punter Logan Cooke helped families affected by childhood cancer enjoy a shopping spree inside a Winn-Dixie in Jacksonville's Arlington neighborhood on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Winn-Dixie and the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund combined to provide groceries to 31 families during the middle of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 15, 2026

Pediatric illnesses illuminate hunger challenge facing Northeast Florida families

Winn-Dixie, The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and The Players Championship provided food to 31 families.…

Featured image for “Second case of West Nile Virus found in Duval County”
A mosquito, which can transmit West Nile Virus. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
September 15, 2026

Second case of West Nile Virus found in Duval County

The Health Department and Jacksonville Mosquito Control are coordinating West Nile surveillance and prevention.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County reverses course and denies 4,000-home development near Nocatee”
The St. Johns County Commission denied a proposal for developing forested land along the intracoastal waterway in St. Johns County. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 15, 2026

St. Johns County reverses course and denies 4,000-home development near Nocatee

The project sought approval under a new state law easing development of “agricultural enclaves.”…

Featured image for “‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees were held in small metal cages, federal report says”
This image released by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General shows a small metal enclosure used to house detainees at the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, Jan. 21, 2026. | DHS OIG via AP
September 15, 2026

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees were held in small metal cages, federal report says

The cages, usd as “calming areas,” did not meet standards for humane treatment, the report said.…

Featured image for “A hot start to the week across Florida, but relief is on the way”
September 15, 2026

A hot start to the week across Florida, but relief is on the way

A cold front will move over the state Wednesday, bringing drier air to North Florida.…

Featured image for “Gateway Jax seeks $70M in incentives for riverfront tower and Hotel Merrydelle”
Gateway Jax is asking for more than $55 million in city incentives for its proposed hotel and residences tower at Riverfront Plaza. | Downtown Development Review Board
September 14, 2026

Gateway Jax seeks $70M in incentives for riverfront tower and Hotel Merrydelle

The Jacksonville City Council would have the final say on Gateway Jax’s latest Downtown projects.…

Featured image for “4 charged locally in nationwide COVID-19 aid investigation”
Four Jacksonville men were charged in a nationwide fraud investigation tied to the Paycheck Protection Program.
September 14, 2026

4 charged locally in nationwide COVID-19 aid investigation

Prosecutors said the four defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program, a COVID-19 relief effort.…

Featured image for “Demolition begins on Regency Square Mall”
Realco Recycling Co. Inc. has started demolishing the East Mall of Regency Square between Impact Church and the former JC Penney department store at 9501 Arlington Expresssway. It began at the food court area on the north side of the mall. | Karen Brune Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record
September 14, 2026

Demolition begins on Regency Square Mall

Realco Recycling is taking down the mall between Impact Church and the closed JCPenney.…

Featured image for “CuppaPug cafe to open Jacksonville location”
Andrea Nichols visits with pugs at a CuppaPug cafe in London, where she spent a week studying the business before bringing the concept to Jacksonville. | Photo provided by Andrea Nichols
September 14, 2026

CuppaPug cafe to open Jacksonville location

The Beach Boulevard cafe wll pair coffee and pug playtime to support pug rescue and adoption.…

Featured image for “National Hurricane Center monitors disturbance, but no US threat expected”
Tracking the tropics map for Sept. 13, 2026.
September 14, 2026

National Hurricane Center monitors disturbance, but no US threat expected

Without another tropical cyclone, 2026 could become the second-quietest hurricane season since the 1800s.…

Featured image for “Jax board greenlights initial plans for UF campus and Riverfront Plaza tower”
The UF graduate building is planned for 2.34 acres bounded by West Bay and Forsyth streets and North Lee Street. | City of Jacksonville
September 11, 2026

Jax board greenlights initial plans for UF campus and Riverfront Plaza tower

The Downtown Development Review Board advanced projects by Gateway Jax Inc. and UF on Thursday.…

Featured image for “How Jacksonville’s unprecedented commitment to girls’ sports sprouts opportunity”
The University of North Florida celebrates a side out during the second game of its victory over Florida International University on Sept. 3, 2026. The Ospreys improved to 3-1 after their 25-21, 25-20, 10-25, 25-19 win in the UNF Invitational. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 11, 2026

How Jacksonville’s unprecedented commitment to girls’ sports sprouts opportunity

Investment in women’s sports in Jacksonville has never been higher at the professional, collegiate or varsity level.…

Featured image for “Nassau County Schools investigating ‘racially offensive behavior’ at volleyball match”
September 11, 2026

Nassau County Schools investigating ‘racially offensive behavior’ at volleyball match

A parent said Fernandina Beach students held up a Black baby doll and made racial slurs, chants and gestures.…

Featured image for “New Baldwin principal has history of misconduct complaints”
Michael Smith, left, leaves a School Board meeting Aug. 4, 2026, after Superintendent Christopher Bernier recognized his new appointment as principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
September 10, 2026

New Baldwin principal has history of misconduct complaints

Baldwin Principal Michael Smith had three complaints that alleged inappropriate conduct toward students.…

Featured image for “University of Florida celebrates opening of Jacksonville graduate campus”
The University of Florida converted the former Interline Brands building at 801 W. Bay St. for use as the first building on its graduate campus in Jacksonville. | Ric Anderson, Jacksonville Daily Record
September 10, 2026

University of Florida celebrates opening of Jacksonville graduate campus

158 students have enrolled as the university opens the first of several buildings planned on its new campus.…

Featured image for “First Coast to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks”
The New York skyline is shown during a memorial to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in the Staten Island borough of New York. | Pamela Smith, AP
September 10, 2026

First Coast to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

9/11 will be remembered with ceremonies and service projects from Green Cove Springs to Nassau County.…

Featured image for “MOCA Project Atrium: ‘Glitch’ investigates the architecture of our digitally mediated existence”
North Carolina-based artist Ryan Rasmussen's Glitch: Architecture Undone explores the interplay between our digital and physical existence | Sarah Hedden, MOCA Jacksonville
September 10, 2026

MOCA Project Atrium: ‘Glitch’ investigates the architecture of our digitally mediated existence

With Glitch: Architecture Undone, Ryan Rasmussen disassembles digital perfection in search of material beauty.…

Featured image for “We’ve reached the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season”
A satellite image shows the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf on Wednesdsay, Sept. 9, 2026.
September 10, 2026

We’ve reached the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season

Beyond Sept. 10, six named storms form during an average season, with four becoming hurricanes.…