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.
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.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Mayor Deegan: Florida’s health is on the ballot”
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…

Featured image for “OPINION | Generational records: A 20-year forecast”
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.…

Featured image for “OPINION | We’re not ready for the coming climate apocalypse ”
An off ramp in Downtown Jacksonville is full of flowing water at high tide on Oct. 11, 2024, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
October 17, 2024

OPINION | We’re not ready for the coming climate apocalypse 

Whoever becomes president and is elected to Congress must be held accountable for reversing the path that’s leading our planet…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars mauled in London”
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson pauses during a press conference after an NFL football game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears in London, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
October 13, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars mauled in London

In what could have been the most important game of the season, the Jaguars showed why they are more likely…

Featured image for “OPINION | Prayer for the sowers”
An American flag sits in floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Sept. 27, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. | AP Photo/Mike Carlson
October 9, 2024

OPINION | Prayer for the sowers

The children my husband and I raised are among the generations who have grown up with the certainty of climate…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville’s approach to state homeless law will lead to court battles”
People sit outside tents on East Adams Street in Downtown Jacksonville, near North Liberty Street. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
October 7, 2024

OPINION | Jacksonville’s approach to state homeless law will lead to court battles

Residents and business owners who don’t think the city is doing its job will be able to sue starting Jan.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars earn first win of season in remarkable fashion”
A Jacksonville Jaguars fan cheers during the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville. | AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
October 6, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars earn first win of season in remarkable fashion

There are a lot of “ifs,” but the win on Sunday against the Colts keeps hope of a significant season…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars drop 4th straight game, this time in final seconds”
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson looks on in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Houston. | AP Photo/Maria Lysaker
September 29, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars drop 4th straight game, this time in final seconds

Better, but still not good enough. The Jaguars played their best quarter of football since halftime of the season opener…

Featured image for “OPINION | Green acres: A master plan for Jacksonville’s park system”
Metropolitan Park as seen on Sept. 24, 2024 | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
September 26, 2024

OPINION | Green acres: A master plan for Jacksonville’s park system

Jacksonville’s Parks Department expects to unveil an updated Parks Master Plan in winter 2025. Here’s what’s in it, and what’s…

Featured image for “OPINION | Great Cities Symposium a chance for Jax to learn from national leader”
September 24, 2024

OPINION | Great Cities Symposium a chance for Jax to learn from national leader

Since 2019, the Great Cities Symposium has brought remarkable civic and business leaders to Jacksonville from peer cities to share…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars fall to 0-3 in worst performance of Doug Pederson’s tenure”
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence lunges for yardage under Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. | AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
September 23, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars fall to 0-3 in worst performance of Doug Pederson’s tenure

This is the kind of season that can cost a head coach his job. Make no mistake, the seat under…

Featured image for “OPINION | Will Jacksonville regret its stadium spend?”
Rain falls on an already flooded San Marco Boulevard on Sept. 5, 2024. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 22, 2024

OPINION | Will Jacksonville regret its stadium spend?

This month’s stress test on local drainage systems suggests money to help Shad Khan monetize his team may have been…

Featured image for “OPINION | Don’t stop believing in Jacksonville’s historic Downtown rebirth”
What can be if the Laura Street Trio are transformed
September 19, 2024

OPINION | Don’t stop believing in Jacksonville’s historic Downtown rebirth

While we can never prove it and whether anyone admits it, citizen voices in large measure shape how elected officials…

Featured image for “OPINION | The allure of power”
Sean "Diddy" Combs, seen here in 2018. | Richard Shotwell, Invision/AP, File
September 17, 2024

OPINION | The allure of power

Violence and power fit hand in glove and it’s obvious that many of us prefer the benefits of our privileges…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars sputter to second straight loss to start season”
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaps over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) on a run during the second half the game on Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville | AP Photo, Phelan M. Ebenhack
September 15, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars sputter to second straight loss to start season

The Jaguars started the season with an impressive first half in Miami. The next three halves have looked like a…

Featured image for “OPINION | Much ado about historic Downtown Jacksonville and its Northbank riverfront”
The corner of Laura and Monroe streets in Downtown Jacksonville, as seen in July 2024. | Jessica Palombo
September 12, 2024

OPINION | Much ado about historic Downtown Jacksonville and its Northbank riverfront

Public financing to help restore a trio of historic Downtown buildings and develop three Northbank public parks came under specific…

Featured image for “OPINION | The Mathews Bridge needs a name that reflects all of Jacksonville”
The Mathews Bridge as seen from Talleyrand on Sept. 9, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 10, 2024

OPINION | The Mathews Bridge needs a name that reflects all of Jacksonville

The bridge’s namesake, John E. Mathews, was quoted in 1920 as saying: “This is a white man’s country and government.”…

Featured image for “OPINION | Democrats need to decide on Florida play”
Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in New Hampshire last week. | AP Photo, Steven Senne
September 9, 2024

OPINION | Democrats need to decide on Florida play

The Harris campaign has an opportunity to make a statement in the Sunshine State and they could do it in…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars squander second-half lead, lose opener in Miami”
Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) grabs Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) as he fumbles the ball during the second half of the game on Sept. 8, 2024, at Miami. | AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
September 8, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars squander second-half lead, lose opener in Miami

The takeaway from the Jags’ loss to the Dolphins: There is much to be fixed as the Jaguars look ahead…