January 4, 2023
Banning books eliminates an opportunity for students to expand beyond their own surroundings and worldview.…
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.
January 2, 2023
OPINION | The 2023 mayoral race is getting real
It is now 2023, and city elections are all but upon us. If you’re in the mayoral race, you’d better…
December 20, 2022
THE JAXSON | Waterfront parks: 5 models for Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville boasts one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country, but historically, our public space along it hasn’t…
December 18, 2022
OPINION | ‘Citizen of the year’: Notes on Kent Stermon
Warning: This essay addresses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 for…
December 14, 2022
OPINION | Remember, reconcile, repair
“Take ‘Em Down!” is an ineffectual narrative strategy to effect change. Is it a demand of adamance? Absolutely. A passionate…
December 13, 2022
OPINION | 4 myths about Jacksonville’s city government
Jacksonville City Hall provides no shortage of things to criticize, but there are some common complaints that don’t stand up…
December 4, 2022
OPINION | The education of Diana Greene
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Diana Greene is nearing half a decade in her position, a remarkable feat. Greene, who…
November 30, 2022
OPINION | Silence is not assent
As a child I would sometimes get in trouble in school, and then again at home, for trying to express…
November 29, 2022
THE JAXSON | Your tabletop Christmas Village is illegal under modern zoning laws
You may think your miniature Christmas Village is a quaint tribute to the building traditions of yesteryear. However, its walkable,…
November 20, 2022
OPINION | The ‘resign to run’ trap
I’ve written about politics in this town for many years and expressed my share of frustrations, including with candidates running…
November 16, 2022
OPINION | DeSantis’ and Trump’s freedom isn’t free
Freedom. That’s the word that’s been slung like dice since campaigning began for the 2022 midterm elections. Entire narratives were…
November 6, 2022
OPINION | What redistricting reveals about the Jacksonville City Council
Anyone from a dysfunctional family would have felt at home during Friday’s redistricting schmozz on the Jacksonville City Council. Proving…
November 2, 2022
OPINION | Are we irretrievably broken?
The attack ads this election cycle have been vicious. Opponents on both sides have been characterized as racist, dangerous, liars…
October 31, 2022
OPINION | Mayor’s race should be about Jax, not parties
While the political world is hyper-focused on the midterm elections, the day after next Tuesday’s voting opens another chapter in…
October 23, 2022
OPINION | Molly against the machine
Dozens of endorsements are flying, and most of them are of the “Well, it would be news if they didn’t…
October 19, 2022
OPINION | Requesting relief for the people
I am one of the millions of people who submitted an application for student debt relief. I attended the Florida…
October 16, 2022
OPINION | Can the insurance crisis be fixed?
As I said in my last column, Northeast Florida was very blessed in that it largely ducked the wrath of…
October 9, 2022
OPINION | Will Crist’s empty bus hurt in North Florida?
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist brought his “Together Florida Tour” to Northeast Florida last week. Sort of. The Crist campaign…
October 5, 2022
OPINION | Focused on the future
Tomorrow, Till will open in theaters (in a limited release) nationwide. Sixty-seven years after the gruesome murder of 14-year-old Emmett…
October 4, 2022
THE JAXSON | Jacksonville could become an oyster town again
Oysters have been a staple of First Coast diets for thousands of years, although local oyster harvesting ceased in 1994…
October 2, 2022
OPINION | Why are we giving our water away?
For the most part, Duval County dodged a bullet with Hurricane Ian. Many prayers go out to our fellow Floridians…
September 27, 2022
OPINION | Eastside deserves national historic designation
The history and heritage of Jacksonville’s many Gullah Geechee descendants have been largely overlooked, with little recognition given to the…
September 25, 2022
OPINION | Auditing Lenny Curry’s budget legacy
If Jacksonville hadn’t faced budget crunches for years coming out of the 2008 crash, Mayor Lenny Curry might never have…
September 21, 2022
OPINION | Battle for the best of us
Over the weekend, I visited the Cummer Museum for the opening of the Deborah Roberts exhibition I’m. On a large…