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 | Al Ferraro’s appointment deserves scrutiny ”
Mayoral candidate Al Ferraro is proposing a Confederate monument voter referendum | Photo: Al Ferraro for Mayor via Facebook
August 9, 2023

OPINION | Al Ferraro’s appointment deserves scrutiny 

What makes Mayor Deegan’s appointment of Al Ferraro to lead the city’s Neighborhoods Department, so baffling.…

Featured image for “OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility ”
August 8, 2023

OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility 

A Jacksonville Transportation Authority facility planned for LaVilla doesn’t align with the vision for Downtown. These 6 recommendations could fix…

Featured image for “OPINION | Is it a purge? Donna Deegan separates from the Lenny Curry era”
August 7, 2023

OPINION | Is it a purge? Donna Deegan separates from the Lenny Curry era

Mayor Donna Deegan has made some moves that show a dramatic break with the previous administration. But not all of…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Will Jaguars’ pass rush be a difference-maker this season?”
The Jaguars shutout the Indianapolis Colts 24-0 to earn their first win of the 2022 season. The shutout was the team's first in nearly four years. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 6, 2023

SPORTS | Will Jaguars’ pass rush be a difference-maker this season?

With some of the opposing quarterbacks on the roster, the Jaguars’ defense will need to pull its weight.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence is stepping toward superstardom ”
July 30, 2023

SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence is stepping toward superstardom 

Trevor Lawrence has already shown signs of growth as he enters a new season in a stronger place than last…

Featured image for “OPINION | VP Harris exposed DeSantis’ weakness ”
Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris to Jacksonville on July 21, 2023. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2023

OPINION | VP Harris exposed DeSantis’ weakness 

VP Harris spoke truths about Gov. Ron DeSantis that Florida’s disempowered Democrats lack the platform to fully get over on…

Featured image for “OPINION | New African American history standards eschew context  ”
Richard Twine Collection
July 19, 2023

OPINION | New African American history standards eschew context  

The prevailing narrative of Florida’s new social studies standards, and in our country writ large, is that Black Americans are…

Featured image for “OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy”
July 18, 2023

OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy

It’s possible to create a much more active and vibrant Downtown Jacksonville even without moving the jail.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties”
July 11, 2023

OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties

Here’s a look at a few key Downtown properties that, with a little vision, could serve as catalysts to boost…

Featured image for “OPINION | Covering Deegan: News media will face special challenge in covering a friendly face”
Donna Deegan was inaugurated as the 45th Mayor of Jacksonville on Saturday, July 1, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 10, 2023

OPINION | Covering Deegan: News media will face special challenge in covering a friendly face

Donna Deegan presents a unique challenge for local media, many of whom have known her as a friend for a…

Featured image for “SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question”
July 9, 2023

SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question

Where will the Jaguars play while their stadium is renovated? Here are some pros and cons of the various options.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment ”
Duval Schools HQ
July 5, 2023

OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment 

Mike Clark reacts to progress in school administration and also what doesn’t make sense to him about this time of…

Featured image for “OPINION | End of an era: Lenny Curry exits stage right”
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is a mainstay at Jacksonville Jaguars games. The Jaguars hosted the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Super Wild Card Weekend. The Jaguars trailed 27-7 at halftime, its largest halftime deficit of the season, before winning 31-30 | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 25, 2023

OPINION | End of an era: Lenny Curry exits stage right

The Curry era, unlike any other in Jacksonville history, was one in which partisan Republicanism prevailed.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside”
June 20, 2023

OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside

A. Philip Randolph could become a commercial district complementary to the proposed stadium district, with a 1-mile stretch of continuous…

Featured image for “OPINION | Will Jacksonville give the Jags a blank check?”
Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping outlines the proposed renovation of EverBank Stadium during a "community huddle" on June 12, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 20, 2023

OPINION | Will Jacksonville give the Jags a blank check?

Money talks. So what does $76 million over 30 years say? If that’s not a blank check, it’s mighty close.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | An unlikely US Open winner and uncertainty for pro golf”
Wyndham Clark celebrates after winning after the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)
June 19, 2023

SPORTS | An unlikely US Open winner and uncertainty for pro golf

The dramatic duel between a LIV golfer like Dustin Johnson or Cam Smith and the PGA Tour’s most outspoken defender,…

Featured image for “OPINION | One position is missing from Deegan’s appointments, but she has a solid staff ”
June 15, 2023

OPINION | One position is missing from Deegan’s appointments, but she has a solid staff 

Besides choosing good people, Donna Deegan found people who can co-exist with a Democratic mayor and Republican City Council.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Invest in safety, not police”
June 14, 2023

OPINION | Invest in safety, not police

We cannot police ourselves out of crime. The JSO budget has been at or above half-a-billion dollars for years, and…

Featured image for “OPINION | 4 questions the city should ask before paying for stadium upgrades”
June 12, 2023

OPINION | 4 questions the city should ask before paying for stadium upgrades

Jacksonville residents should be asking these four questions as we evaluate the Jaguars’ proposal to split the cost of stadium…

Featured image for “OPINION | ‘DeSantismander’ deserves a legal challenge”
The Florida Legislature passed this new congressional district map in April 2022 after Gov. DeSantis vetoed the previous attempt. | Florida Legislature
June 11, 2023

OPINION | ‘DeSantismander’ deserves a legal challenge

Florida’s congressional district map is a fraud, and the most glaring example is my district.  No offense to Aaron Bean,…

Featured image for “OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville”
June 6, 2023

OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville

Here are four proven, relatively simple, common-sense suggestions to spark revival without relying on huge budgets and massive new developments.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Trevor Lawrence is growing as a leader and as quarterback”
June 5, 2023

OPINION | Trevor Lawrence is growing as a leader and as quarterback

Trevor Lawrence admits that if had not taken a major step forward last year as a player, his voice as…

Featured image for “OPINION | Transition volition: Why Donna Deegan needs a fast start”
May 29, 2023

OPINION | Transition volition: Why Donna Deegan needs a fast start

Mayor Deegan will deal with a GOP supermajority City Council. She is going to have to score early victories before…

Featured image for “OPINION | How to pay for Jaguars stadium renovations ”
Workers prep TIAA Bank Field on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, for the 78th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
May 23, 2023

OPINION | How to pay for Jaguars stadium renovations 

Jacksonville, an underdog, needs something bold and creative to win public buy-in for stadium financing. Here is one idea that…