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 | Duval Democrats, Republicans take different paths to August primaries”
The Florida Capitol Complex is viewed, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
June 16, 2024

OPINION | Duval Democrats, Republicans take different paths to August primaries

Ultimately, it’s all but certain that Duval will be represented by two Democrats and five Republicans after the fall elections.…

Featured image for “OPINION | ‘Multimedia stimulation’ at Riverfront Plaza?”
June 13, 2024

OPINION | ‘Multimedia stimulation’ at Riverfront Plaza?

Apparently projecting images onto outdoor surfaces is all the rage the world over.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | How the Jaguars stadium deal could support Historic Eastside revitalization”
June 12, 2024

THE JAXSON | How the Jaguars stadium deal could support Historic Eastside revitalization

Here’s how the stadium deal’s community benefits agreement could provide tangible benefit to its adjacent urban core neighborhood.…

Featured image for “REVIEW | Istanbul Grill & Bakery ”
June 11, 2024

REVIEW | Istanbul Grill & Bakery 

Istanbul Grill & Bakery on the Southside: a magical experience best enjoyed with friends.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Like a bad penny”
June 6, 2024

OPINION | Like a bad penny

Incoming City Council President Randy White blames pension changes for Jacksonville’s inability to compete for police officers, fire fighters and…

Featured image for “OPINION | A city of tokenism, except for the Jaguars”
The JAX Chamber is supporting the renovation of EverBank Stadium into "the Stadium of the Future." City of Jacksonville
June 4, 2024

OPINION | A city of tokenism, except for the Jaguars

Jacksonville is a low-tax town that skimps on major priorities. Except for the Jaguars.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The art of the deal: Donna Deegan’s stadium triumph”
Jaguars owner Shad Khan and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan celebrated the opening of the Miller Electric Center in July of 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 3, 2024

OPINION | The art of the deal: Donna Deegan’s stadium triumph

Part of the reason the stadium deal sold itself locally is that Jacksonville leadership tethers so much importance to being…

Featured image for “OPINION | Don’t blame school closures on charter schools”
Fishweir Elementary is one of the schools that a consultant has floated as potentially ripe for closure and consolidation.
June 2, 2024

OPINION | Don’t blame school closures on charter schools

Whenever a district school system is in trouble, charter schools and school choice options typically get the blame. Charter schools are…

Featured image for “OPINION | It’s half past tree time at the former Jacksonville Landing”
May 30, 2024

OPINION | It’s half past tree time at the former Jacksonville Landing

Despite a Parks Department promise of 308 trees at the former Landing site, don’t hold your breath unless tower development…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence’s big deal is coming”
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 25 of 30 passes during the team's home opener in 2022. The Jaguars shut out the Indianapolis Colts 24-0, the team's first shutout since a win over the Colts on Dec. 13, 2018. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 28, 2024

SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence’s big deal is coming

At some point before the 2024 season kicks off, the Jaguars have to sign Trevor Lawrence to a new deal.…

Featured image for “OPINION | At the crossroads in education, don’t be a bystander”
The Duval Schools administration building. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 24, 2024

OPINION | At the crossroads in education, don’t be a bystander

On Tuesday, May 28, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund will host a Community Conversation — an opportunity for us to…

Featured image for “OPINION | Admitting I’m afraid ”
A gunman opened fire around and inside the Dollar General in the Grand Park neighborhood on Aug. 26, 2023. killing three people. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 22, 2024

OPINION | Admitting I’m afraid 

I am afraid of the election, which has led to heightened security at my church because soft targets are an…

Featured image for “OPINION | Let the sunshine in: Local government’s transparency problem”
May 20, 2024

OPINION | Let the sunshine in: Local government’s transparency problem

Government is at a low ebb when it comes to accessibility, and in Jacksonville, you can find support for that…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jaguars get 2 in prime time with challenging schedule ahead”
May 19, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars get 2 in prime time with challenging schedule ahead

My predictions for every game on the 2024 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule, ending in a 10-7 record and wild card playoff…

Featured image for “OPINION | Author’s Saturday talk should be a hotter topic”
May 16, 2024

OPINION | Author’s Saturday talk should be a hotter topic

Author Jeff Goodell will speak Saturday at Jacksonville’s main library about his book, The Heat Will Kill You First.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville’s hate crime legislation is too broad”
The FBI Jacksonville is encouraging the public to report hate crimes. l Steven Ponson
May 14, 2024

OPINION | Jacksonville’s hate crime legislation is too broad

What this legislation really does is criminalize speech.…

Featured image for “Scars of success: Trap House Chicken chef embraces kitchen mishaps  ”
May 13, 2024

Scars of success: Trap House Chicken chef embraces kitchen mishaps  

It’s a given for Trap House chef Jamal Oakes that chefs are scarred: He would no sooner trust an unscarred…

Featured image for “OPINION | Riverfront Plaza’s false choice”
Riverfront Plaza, as seen from the top of the VyStar Credit Union headquarters on May 2, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 9, 2024

OPINION | Riverfront Plaza’s false choice

If we want Riverfront Plaza finished any time soon, we need to free Park East from the insanity of “Pad…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The year of the Downtown public space”
City officials cut the ribbon on the LaVilla Link of the Emerald Trail this week
May 8, 2024

THE JAXSON | The year of the Downtown public space

At long last, several high-profile parks in Downtown Jacksonville have opened this year, with more on the way in the…

Featured image for “OPINION | Remedial education: It’s time for an elected superintendent”
May 5, 2024

OPINION | Remedial education: It’s time for an elected superintendent

It’s time for Jacksonville to consider a strong, elected superintendent model such as most counties in the state have. …

Featured image for “OPINION | Don’t stop believing, even after Southbank storage approval”
Screenshot of the San Marco Neighborhood Action Plan 2016
May 2, 2024

OPINION | Don’t stop believing, even after Southbank storage approval

The public engagement on this issue by San Marco residents is something of a victory. And a chance to affect…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | A ride on Brightline”
April 30, 2024

THE JAXSON | A ride on Brightline

Operating between Miami and Orlando with a goal of potentially expanding to Tampa and Jacksonville, Brightline is the first privately…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Did Jaguars get better in the draft?”
The Jaguars drafted LSU's Maason Smith, a defensive tackle, seen here at the NFL scouting combine in February. | (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
April 28, 2024

SPORTS | Did Jaguars get better in the draft?

The Jaguars’ draft looks good on one hand, but further inspection brings up some key questions.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Metro Park redesign is déjà vu all over again”
Metropolitan Park as seen in April 2024 | Dan Scanlan
April 25, 2024

OPINION | Metro Park redesign is déjà vu all over again

If you missed the open house, it’s not too late to participate. Citizens may complete a survey about our revitalization…