To reflect on the news of the day, Jacksonville Today seeks to include a diverse set of perspectives that add context or unique insight. Regular opinion columnists are independent contractors who are paid for their contribution and are not involved in news decisions. We also welcome guest contributors to submit on matters of public interest. Email column pitches to Editor Jessica Palombo at jessica@jaxtoday.org.
Featured image for “OPINION | The monument is gone! What happens next?”
The Women of the Confederacy monument is lifted off its base at Springfield Park on Dec. 27, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
January 3, 2024

OPINION | The monument is gone! What happens next?

After Mayor Donna Deegan’s removal of the Springfield Park Confederate monument, it’s clear there will be political ramifications for years…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Familiar scenario for Jaguars’ regular season finale”
Evan Engram surpassed the 100 catch mark to help the Jaguars snap a four-game losing streak. The Jaguars closed their 2023 home schedule with a 26-0 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 1, 2024

SPORTS | Familiar scenario for Jaguars’ regular season finale

The Jaguars will face the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, the final week of the season, needing a win to clinch…

Featured image for “OPINION | Rail funding is coming – is Jacksonville paying attention? ”
December 19, 2023

OPINION | Rail funding is coming – is Jacksonville paying attention? 

Jacksonville’s entry into the federal rail corridor program is a chance for the city to seize its transportation future. Local…

Featured image for “OPINION | Donna Deegan needs a political machine”
Donna Deegan celebrates with supporters at Estrella Cocina after winning the Jacksonville mayoral election Tuesday, May 16, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 18, 2023

OPINION | Donna Deegan needs a political machine

With three-and-a-half years to go in Deegan’s administration, it’s apparent that she could use more political cover on the City…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags not ready for prime time with third straight loss”
Jaguars receiver Zay Jones catches a pass over the outstretched arm of Baltimore defensive back Brandon Stephens late in the second quarter of a Sunday Night Football game. The Jaguars hosted the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 17, 2023

SPORTS | Jags not ready for prime time with third straight loss

If the Jaguars’ Sunday Night Football matchup with the Baltimore Ravens was a playoff audition, the Jaguars will have to…

Featured image for “OPINION | Mayor Deegan is just getting started ”
December 13, 2023

OPINION | Mayor Deegan is just getting started 

The criticisms levied against Mayor Deegan’s administration are small things. The good news is that big things are on the…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Cultural heritage trails increasing in popularity”
December 12, 2023

THE JAXSON | Cultural heritage trails increasing in popularity

With a cultural heritage trail proposed for Jacksonville’s LaVilla, here are how other cities have honored their historic African American…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Bad start, bad finish as Jaguars lose in Cleveland”
Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (7) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
December 10, 2023

SPORTS | Bad start, bad finish as Jaguars lose in Cleveland

It was a grey day in Cleveland and a muted performance by the Jaguars in a 31-27 loss to the…

Featured image for “OPINION | The ‘Black tax’ ”
A proposed liquor store at the corner of Golfair Boulevard and Davis Street is less than 200 feet away from KIPP Voice Academy. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 6, 2023

OPINION | The ‘Black tax’ 

What’s happening in Brentwood is an extension of the long history of redlining that cut off Black and Brown communities…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars lose game, and maybe Trevor Lawrence”
December 4, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars lose game, and maybe Trevor Lawrence

In the fourth quarter of the Jaguars-Bengals game Monday, the game, and maybe the season, changed. That’s when Trevor Lawrence…

Featured image for “REVIEW | Abstrakt Filipino Essence”
December 3, 2023

REVIEW | Abstrakt Filipino Essence

Restaurant Review of Abstrakt Filipino Essence in Jacksonville Beach.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Most compelling race of 2024? The Democratic primary in House District 13”
Former Jacksonville city council member Brenda Priestly Jackson, left, announced she will challenge state Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) in a Democratic primary next year. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 3, 2023

OPINION | Most compelling race of 2024? The Democratic primary in House District 13

Rep. Angie Nixon, who had close to 90% of the vote in her 2022 Democratic primary, will face off against…

Featured image for “OPINION | Next steps in city’s affordable housing efforts?”
November 29, 2023

OPINION | Next steps in city’s affordable housing efforts?

In Duval County, the property appraiser estimates that 25% of all single-family homes are owned by investors.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Love him or hate him, Dean Black continues to shape the narrative”
State Rep. Dean Black of Jacksonville.
November 27, 2023

OPINION | Love him or hate him, Dean Black continues to shape the narrative

In Jacksonville’s Deegan era, Rep. Dean Black continues to be the new mayor’s foil.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars survive in Houston, stay in chase for AFC top seed”
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, center rear, greet each other on the field after their team's NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
November 26, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars survive in Houston, stay in chase for AFC top seed

It came down to a matter of inches, but the Jaguars emerged with a 24-21 win over the Houston Texans to…

Featured image for “OPINION | Ron DeSantis picks and chooses his First Amendment battles”
Gov. Ron DeSantis decried the idea that he bore any responsibility for a white supremacist opening fire at a Dollar General in Jacksonville's New Town neighborhood on Aug. 26. He was confronted by a Black military veteran who claimed "the governor is scared of voices like mine."
November 20, 2023

OPINION | Ron DeSantis picks and chooses his First Amendment battles

It’s hard to see Ron DeSantis’ 11th hour cosplay as a free speech warrior as anything more than an attempt…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Back on track: Jaguars’ whipping of Titans calms concerns”
November 19, 2023

SPORTS | Back on track: Jaguars’ whipping of Titans calms concerns

The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated a struggling Tennessee Titans team 34-14 to improve to 7-3 on the season.…

Featured image for “OPINION | A bold growth mindset”
November 15, 2023

OPINION | A bold growth mindset

Jacksonville stands at the threshold of its much talked about potential, requiring concerted efforts to fulfill its burgeoning promise.…

Featured image for “OPINION | What PorchFest says about how to grow Jacksonville ”
A PorchFest crowd at the 2022 event | Toni Smailagic
November 13, 2023

OPINION | What PorchFest says about how to grow Jacksonville 

The growth of PorchFest over the last decade demonstrates the need for a long-term, all-encompassing approach toward local investment and…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars outmanned in another home loss”
Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr. and the rest of the Jaguars offense were held without a touchdown at home for the second time this season. San Franscisco snapped Jacksonville’s five-game winning streak with its 34-3 win at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 12, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars outmanned in another home loss

On a misty and gray Sunday at EverBank Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Jaguars in the trenches in…

Featured image for “OPINION | My son was called the N-word at school”
Student Transportation of America school buses in Duval County.
November 8, 2023

OPINION | My son was called the N-word at school

Now that it has happened to my son, so much earlier than when it first happened to me, I am…

Featured image for “OPINION | Selective outrage: The perils and self-deceptions of bringing a foreign war home”
November 6, 2023

OPINION | Selective outrage: The perils and self-deceptions of bringing a foreign war home

Our elected leaders would rather support Israel than denounce home-grown anti-Semitism.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | November reflections on Jags, college and high school football”
Raines quarterback Ty'ren Randolph threw two touchdowns to lead the Vikings to victory in the 54th Northwest Classic. Raines dominated its rival Ribault in the 54th Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Vikings lead the all-time series 40-14. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2023

SPORTS | November reflections on Jags, college and high school football

Midseason reflections on the Jaguars, UF, FSU, UGA and local high school football teams.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Donna Deegan’s dealings”
November 1, 2023

OPINION | Donna Deegan’s dealings

Mayor Deegan’s sole-source contract for the politically connected firm Langton Consulting is business as usual, after all.…