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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 “More people are living Downtown, but office vacancies remain high”

An aerial rendering of the Gateway Jax development in Downtown Jacksonville. | Gateway Jax via the Jacksonville Daily Record

More people are living Downtown, but office vacancies remain high

The number of residents in Downtown Jacksonville reached 9,228 in 2025, according to a new report.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Record heat is on the way to Florida; then much-needed rain will follow”

Record heat is on the way to Florida; then much-needed rain will follow

A cold front will enter the Panhandle on Saturday and bring showers across North Florida.…

By Irene Sans - Storm Center

Featured image for “Jacksonville keeps dishing out incentives — but will that change?”

The Mag’s Cafe building is one of two historic building renovations projects the Jacksonville City Council awarded incentives on Tuesday. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Daily Record

Jacksonville keeps dishing out incentives — but will that change?

City lawmakers are growing uncomfortable with the amount of incentives awarded for development.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Legislature approves congressional map to boost Republicans in midterms”

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, speaks loudly on the House floor as the House voted on a redistricting bill Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Tallahassee. | Mike Stewart, AP

Legislature approves congressional map to boost Republicans in midterms

The new congressional map could increase Florida’s Republican House delegation by four seats.…

By Bill Barrow - Associated Press

Featured image for “How to see more Jacksonville Today stories in your Google Search results”

Google Source preferences screenshot

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…

By Ray Hollister

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

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.…

By Jenese Harris - News4Jax

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

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.…

By Dan Scanlan

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.

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.…

By Will Brown

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

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.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

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

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.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Former youth pastor charged with sexual battery on teen”

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.…

By Dan Scanlan

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

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.…

By Nichole Manna - The Florida Trib

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

DeSantis unveils voting map that could help Republicans

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

By Douglas Soule - WUSF

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

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.…

By Andrea Snody - News4Jax and Francine Frazier - News4Jax

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

Phoenix Arts & Innovation District prepares for housing

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

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “How much rainfall is needed to end Florida’s drought?”

Wildfires burned Clay and Putnam counties. | Florida Forest Service

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.…

By Andrew Wulfeck - Storm Center

Featured image for “State Rep. Angie Nixon qualifies for U.S. Senate run”

State Rep. Angie Nixon. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

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.…

By News Service of Florida

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

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.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire”

Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department firefighter James Crews. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire

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

By Dan Scanlan

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

State education commissioner berates St. Johns County superintendent

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

By Noah Hertz and Megan Mallicoat

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

Clay-Putnam wildfire now 65% contained

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

By News4Jax staff

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

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.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

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

Beaches Habitat for Humanity opens townhomes

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

By Leah Foreman - Jacksonville Business Journal

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

87 homes lost in Southeast Georgia wildfires

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

By News4Jax staff

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