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 “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…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings”
May 23, 2023

THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings

Here are 10 overlooked buildings in Jacksonville that in danger of being demolished if more attention isn’t given to their…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville needs another near miracle to keep the Jaguars”
The Jaguars overcame a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC wild card playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 22, 2023

OPINION | Jacksonville needs another near miracle to keep the Jaguars

Figuring out a way to pay for major renovations to the Jaguars’ TIAA Bank Field would be like pulling off…

Featured image for “OPINION | The 5 biggest questions facing the Jaguars as offseason practices begin”
The Jaguars overcame a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC wild card playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 21, 2023

OPINION | The 5 biggest questions facing the Jaguars as offseason practices begin

For the Jaguars to make a deep playoff run, they’ll have to answer these 5 questions.…

Featured image for “OPINION | On the come up ”
May 17, 2023

OPINION | On the come up 

I criticize this bold new city of the South consistently, but I’m not above applauding when ovation is due. And,…

Featured image for “OPINION | ‘Love over fear’: An epilogue for the 2023 election”
Donna Deegan celebrates winning the Jacksonville mayoral election on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 16, 2023

OPINION | ‘Love over fear’: An epilogue for the 2023 election

Donna Deegan met the negativity from Daniel Davis’ campaign with a positive vision, managing to rebuff insipid and dishonest attacks.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The campaign we deserved? Looking back on the 2023 Jax mayor election”
Donna Deegan and Daniel Davis
May 15, 2023

OPINION | The campaign we deserved? Looking back on the 2023 Jax mayor election

What the Donna Deegan vs. Daniel Davis’ race says about Jacksonville voters and what kind of politics people here really…

Featured image for “SPORTS | My Jags record prediction based on the schedule ”
Travon Walker, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, fights for separation against Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Jaguars led 13-0 when both teams removed their starters. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 14, 2023

SPORTS | My Jags record prediction based on the schedule 

It’s time for the annual tradition of predicting the Jaguars’ record as the schedule is released.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags slighted in QB ranking”
The Jaguars overcame a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC wild card playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2023

SPORTS | Jags slighted in QB ranking

Yes, the Jaguars are getting a little more love nationally, but there are still those who need convincing.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision”
May 2, 2023

OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision

The debate over demolishing the old Ford plant in Talleyrand missed a key point: It wasn’t demolish or reuse. It…

Featured image for “OPINION | Romanticizing law enforcement is a no-win game”
Photo: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
May 1, 2023

OPINION | Romanticizing law enforcement is a no-win game

For all of their differences, Donna Deegan and Daniel Davis are on the same page when it comes to giving…