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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 “Local hate crime bill called ‘cheap political pandering’”

Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman | News4Jax

Local hate crime bill called ‘cheap political pandering’

City Council member Terrance Freeman is opposing a proposed hate crime law in Jacksonville, calling it unnecessary and insulting to…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra Beach man accused of COVID PPE fraud”

A woman wears a COVID-19 mask. | Alvaro Barrientos, AP

Ponte Vedra Beach man accused of COVID PPE fraud

James Elliott Davis II was indicted on charges of enticing people to invest more than $7 million in a phony…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Clay County voters can get elections information by text”

People in Clay County can get elections information through a new texting service. l Paul Hanaoka via Unsplash.

Clay County voters can get elections information by text

The supervisor of elections has launched a new texting service that allows voters to access information or report issues 24/7.…

By Steven Ponson

Featured image for “School employee among 27 accused of soliciting children”

A suspect was handcuffed after a Jacksonvillle police K9 subdued him.

School employee among 27 accused of soliciting children

A Duval school maintenance worker and a former professional baseball player are among the people arrested in an internet sting.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s strip club law set for court hearing”

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. | News Service of Florida

Jacksonville’s strip club law set for court hearing

A federal appeals court will consider whether it’s constitutional to bar dancers under age 21 in adult establishments.…

By Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Hugo Boss appears headed to Jacksonville”

Plans show a Boss menswear shop at St. Johns Town Center. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Hugo Boss appears headed to Jacksonville

The city is reviewing a permit for a Hugo Boss store at St. Johns Town Center, in the space now…

By Karen Brune Mathis - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Sheriff Office reexamines teenage girls’ slayings”

Jazmine Shelton, 13, and best friend Megan Simmons, 14, were shot and killed in August 2013 in a trailer home on Missouri Avenue. | MAD DADS

Sheriff Office reexamines teenage girls’ slayings

No leads ever emerged in the shootings of Jazmine Shelton, 13, and Megan Simmons, 14, on Aug. 10, 2013.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Court considers Jacksonville’s panhandling ban”

Court considers Jacksonville’s panhandling ban

The publisher of a newspaper benefiting the homeless says the law violates free speech rights.…

By Charlie McGee - The Tributary

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l What’s being built at Lem Turner Road and I-295?”

A new logistics park is under construction at the corner of Lem Turner Road and Interstate 295. l Cushman & Wakefield.

#AskJAXTDY l What’s being built at Lem Turner Road and I-295?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders why land is being cleared in Northwest Jacksonville.…

By Steven Ponson

Featured image for “JAX Chamber voices support for Jaguars stadium agreement”

The JAX Chamber is supporting the renovation of EverBank Stadium into "the Stadium of the Future." City of Jacksonville

JAX Chamber voices support for Jaguars stadium agreement

The chamber will lobby City Council members to approve what it calls “an incredibly important deal for the future of…

By Randy Roguski

Featured image for “The latest renovations at St. Johns Town Center”

Louis Vuitton is expanding into the former space of Lovesac beanbag and sofa maker. Lovesac moved across the Nordstrom plaza to make space for the Louis Vuitton expansion. | Karen Brune Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record

The latest renovations at St. Johns Town Center

Louis Vuitton, Swarovski and Maggiano’s Little Italy all are expanding or rejuvenating their properties.…

By Karen Brune Mathis - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Japanese gastropub to open in Jacksonville Beach”

An illustration shows the Izakaya Ko restaurant planned at 1198 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Japanese gastropub to open in Jacksonville Beach

The owners of Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi will bring a new concept when Izakaya Ko opens in June.…

By Dan Macdonald - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “EverBank and Jaguars want to extend naming rights”

EverBank Stadium would remain the name of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium through 2027 under a proposed sponsorship extension. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today

EverBank and Jaguars want to extend naming rights

Pending approval by the city, the name of EverBank Stadium would remain in place through 2027.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Federal judge tosses part of Florida’s elections law”

Daryl Jones, board chairman of the Transformative Justice Coalition, advocates for voter rights in June 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Federal judge tosses part of Florida’s elections law

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked part of a 2023 law that restricts voter registration groups.…

By Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Former Nassau deputy pleads guilty to drug charges”

Former Nassau County sheriff’s Sgt. James Hickox.

Former Nassau deputy pleads guilty to drug charges

James Hickox admitted to stealing marijuana and cocaine while working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Northside ‘huddle’ draws cautious optimism about ‘Stadium of the Future’”

Michael Wright listens to a community conversation about the $1.4 billion proposal from the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars to renovate EverBank Stadium on Thursday, May 16, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Northside ‘huddle’ draws cautious optimism about ‘Stadium of the Future’

A community investment promise is helping sell the Stadium of the Future proposal, while Northside activists vow to oppose it.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Trauma survivors cheer their saviors at Memorial Hospital”

Ponte Vedra High School senior Madison Schemitz, right, shoots a selfie with her mother, Jacqueline Rogue, and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Lt. Matt Avera. They were at the Trauma Survivors Day event Thursday, May 16, 2024, at HCA Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Trauma survivors cheer their saviors at Memorial Hospital

Eight grateful patients reunited with teams at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Jacksonville that saved their lives and in some cases…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Nassau Schools sued over book’s removal”

"And Tango Makes Three" tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.

Nassau Schools sued over book’s removal

The co-authors of “And Tango Makes Three” allege the school district removed the book in violation of the First Amendment.…

By News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Eastside homeowners get help on utility bills”

Barbara Robertson has lived on the Eastside for nearly 50 years. She says the Restore, Repair and Resilience program has transformed her home on Jessie Street. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Eastside homeowners get help on utility bills

JEA and the city of Jacksonville won an $845,000 federal grant to make Eastside homes more energy-efficient.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Southbank high-rise approved for $58.79 million in incentives”

The Related Group is proposing a 25-story residential tower on the Downtown Southbank.

Southbank high-rise approved for $58.79 million in incentives

Jacksonville City Council will consider the incentives after the Downtown Investment Authority recommended them this week.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Delores Barr Weaver donating $5 million to Sulzbacher”

Cindy Funkhouser, president and CEO of Sulzbacher, is shown Wednesday, May 15, 2924, at a meeting with Downtown and community stakeholders on the future of Sulzbacher. | David Cumpler, Jacksonville Daily Record

Delores Barr Weaver donating $5 million to Sulzbacher

The money will be used for Sulzbacher’s Enterprise Village, a multibuilding expansion in Northwest Jacksonville. …

By David Crumpler - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park to open June 27”

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park in LaVilla is shown under construction in March 2024. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park to open June 27

The park honors the song written in the early 1900s by Jacksonville brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Thousands offer ideas for World Golf Village”

This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine

Thousands offer ideas for World Golf Village

A public survey found that the IMAX Theater, dining and green space are the most popular uses of the property.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “It seems rainy lately, but we’re actually drier than normal”

Rain pours down on Jacksonville's Metropolitan Park during a thunderstorm Wednesday, May 15, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

It seems rainy lately, but we’re actually drier than normal

April was the third consecutive month of below-average rainfall for parts of the St. Johns River Water Management District.…

By Dan Scanlan

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