Jacksonville Today seeks to include a diverse set of perspectives that add context or unique insight to the news of the day. Regular opinion columnists are independent contractors who are not involved in news decisions. Want to submit your own column on a matter of public interest? Email pitches to jessica@jaxtoday.org.
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Lamb at Othello | Hanna Raskin
1 hour ago

REVIEW | Othello

If you want a glimpse of the future of dining out, check out Othello in Springfield.…

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A trash hauler rides down Hendricks Avenue just south of San Marco in 2022. | Dennis Ho for Jacksonville Today
2 days ago

OPINION | Why we need to raise garbage fees

City Council member Matt Carlucci explains his proposed garbage fee hike.…

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January 8, 2025

THE JAXSON | 3 things changing the urban landscape in 2025

In 2025, here are three predictions about the urban core that could permanently change Jacksonville for the better.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Garbage in, garbage out: Jax trash fee debate raises questions”
January 6, 2025

OPINION | Garbage in, garbage out: Jax trash fee debate raises questions

A.G. Gancarski argues that Carlucci’s plan will disproportionately hurt homeowners of modest means.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | What will the Jaguars do next after 4-13 season?”
Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair forearmed Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Dec. 1, 2024, ending Lawrence's season. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 5, 2025

SPORTS | What will the Jaguars do next after 4-13 season?

After concluding the season with a 26-23 overtime loss to the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday, the Jaguars finished the…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Thomas stars as Jaguars stumble to another loss”
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) scores a touchdown as he gets past the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, including cornerback Tyson Campbell (3), during the second half of the game on Dec. 22, 2024, in Las Vegas. | AP Photo/John Locher
December 22, 2024

SPORTS | Thomas stars as Jaguars stumble to another loss

With the loss, and the other results around the NFL, the Jaguars are now in line to hold the third…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville politics 2024: Year in review — and what’s next”
Jacksonville City Hall
December 16, 2024

OPINION | Jacksonville politics 2024: Year in review — and what’s next

At least two of Mayor Donna Deegan’s early moves will go down in history. The new local Republican Party chair…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars lose to Jets in entertaining game”
Brian Thomas Jr. makes his second touchdown catch during the fourth quarter in a loss to the New York Jets. The Jaguars gave away a fourth quarter lead en route to a 32-25 loss to fall to 3-11 on the season on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 15, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars lose to Jets in entertaining game

If the Jaguars had played the kind of game they did on Sunday back in September, it might have been…

Featured image for “In Jacksonville, a Southern sandwich capital, one standout is only available at a hospital”
The Wolfson Children's Hospital lunch counter is your gateway to one of Jax's best sammies. | Hanna Raskin
December 9, 2024

In Jacksonville, a Southern sandwich capital, one standout is only available at a hospital

A local favorite chicken salad sandwich is only available at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.…

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby scores a touchdown during the game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Nashville. | AP Photo, Stew Milne
December 8, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars trudge to win in Nashville

A win, yes, but by a poor team playing uninspiring football to end a season that isn’t going anywhere.…

Featured image for “OPINION | It’s time for Donna Deegan to cross party lines”
December 2, 2024

OPINION | It’s time for Donna Deegan to cross party lines

December offers a chance for Mayor Donna Deegan to build relationships that she might not have wanted but that the…

Featured image for “SPORTS | More of the same as Jaguars drop fifth straight game”
A brawl breaks out after Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair forearmed Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Al-Shaair was ejected on the hit that concussed Lawrence. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 1, 2024

SPORTS | More of the same as Jaguars drop fifth straight game

A concussion. A fight. A fifth straight loss. And the possible end of Trevor Lawrence’s season. Welcome to December, Jaguars…

Featured image for “OPINION | It’s time for the Laura Street Trio’s owner to bow out”
November 20, 2024

OPINION | It’s time for the Laura Street Trio’s owner to bow out

There’s one constant in each of the failed plans, false starts and continued deterioration of the Trio over the years:…

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Family Kitchen, the in-alley restaurant at Main Event on Philips Highway.
November 19, 2024

REVIEW | Jacksonville bowling alley food

Bowling alley menus are crammed with piles of fried pickles, bowls of crisped Brussels sprouts, tacos bulging with shredded pork,…

Featured image for “OPINION | Mike Waltz leaves Congress, and the fight to replace him begins”
Rep. Michael Waltz. | Ted Shaffrey, AP
November 18, 2024

OPINION | Mike Waltz leaves Congress, and the fight to replace him begins

It was only a matter of time and figuring out the right position once Donald Trump got elected president. That’s…

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Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson after the game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. | AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
November 17, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars suffer worst loss in franchise history

Shad Khan has been criticized for not feeling the concerns of Jaguars fans. If he doesn’t decide to make a…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags struggle offensively against Minnesota, fall to 2-8”
Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard heads off the field after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter of a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 10, 2024

SPORTS | Jags struggle offensively against Minnesota, fall to 2-8

Any thought that Lawrence was the cause of the Jaguars’ offensive struggles should be put to bed.…

Featured image for “OPINION | What does Jacksonville need from the election? And what does DeSantis want from it?”
November 4, 2024

OPINION | What does Jacksonville need from the election? And what does DeSantis want from it?

Does Jacksonville benefit more from Harris or Trump? And whose victory benefits Ron DeSantis more?…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Bad start, bad finish. Jaguars fall to Eagles”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during the second half of the game on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. | AP Photo/Matt Slocum
November 3, 2024

SPORTS | Bad start, bad finish. Jaguars fall to Eagles

This is almost certain to be the end of the current regime.…

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Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris to Jacksonville on July 21, 2023.
November 3, 2024

OPINION | Mayor Deegan: Florida’s health is on the ballot

Jacksonville’s mayor: “A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for affordable healthcare, financial security, and a healthier future for…

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October 31, 2024

OPINION | Generational records: A 20-year forecast

Whether we believe climate change to be real, increasingly frequent and more devastating weather patterns where we call home cannot be denied.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags drop to 2-6 with loss to Green Bay Packers”
The Green Bay Packers celebrate after former Jaguar Brandon McManus converted a short field goal at the buzzer to lift Green Bay to victory on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 27, 2024

SPORTS | Jags drop to 2-6 with loss to Green Bay Packers

As has happened so often this season, the Jaguars could not close the deal.…

Featured image for “OPINION | We haven’t heard the last of Deegan’s ‘concentration camp’ gaffe ”
Mayor Donna Deegan is shown during an interview with Times Radio in England during her trip. | Times Radio
October 21, 2024

OPINION | We haven’t heard the last of Deegan’s ‘concentration camp’ gaffe 

A.G. Gancarski predicts the blowback over Mayor Donna Deegan’s remarks will continue to dog her, both with imminent City Council…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars run to second win of season”
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) celebrates with Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
October 20, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars run to second win of season

The win avoided the possibility of big leadership changes for the Jaguars for another week.…