Image
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Perspectives is home to opinion writing that adds context and unique viewpoints on local issues. These columns are separate from our newsroom reporting but contribute to the civic conversation in Jacksonville. We welcome ideas and submissions from community members who want to share their voices. Want to submit your own column on a matter of public interest? Email pitches to jessica@jaxtoday.org.
Featured image for “Eat and drink like a local on St. Augustine’s West King Street”
1 day ago

Eat and drink like a local on St. Augustine’s West King Street

Off the beaten path of St. Augustine’s main commercial hub, West King Street has a for-the-locals vibe.…

Featured image for “Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer”
2 days ago

Kings Trail deal in San Jose shows toll of challenging a big developer

Dream Finders Homes plans to build 110 cottages, townhomes or single-family houses at the Old Kings Road site.…

Featured image for “Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open”
2 days ago

Met Park Marina becomes latest riverfront development to open

The rebuilt marina includes 78 slips, electrical and water hookups, marine fuel and a store.…

Featured image for “Florida House candidate says she was attacked at World Golf Village polling place”
2 days ago

Florida House candidate says she was attacked at World Golf Village polling place

Diana Jordan-Baldwin says she was attacked by a man who supports her opponent in the election.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | St. Paul Union Depot: What a restored Downtown rail station could be”
2 days ago

THE JAXSON | St. Paul Union Depot: What a restored Downtown rail station could be

The restoration of St. Paul Union Depot offers a compelling example of how Jacksonville might find restore its own transportation…

Featured image for “When will the next solar eclipse be visible to people in Florida?”
2 days ago

When will the next solar eclipse be visible to people in Florida?

Florida will miss out on Wednesday’s total solar eclipse, but residents can see a partial lunar eclipse Aug. 27.…

Featured image for “Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?”
2 days ago

Florida’s surgeon general wanted to repeal vaccine mandates. What’s the status?

Despite a call to end childhood vaccine mandates, nothing has changed on a policy level in Florida.…

Featured image for “Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says”
2 days ago

Florida will actively test ‘flying cars’ by the end of the year, DeSantis says

The technology could be used as air taxis, cargo delivery, medical transportation and emergency response.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons”
August 11, 2026

St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons

Romanza-St. Augustine’s annual celebration of Celtic culture was recognized nationally.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?”
August 11, 2026

Jacksonville City Council finds its ‘prosecutor.’ Has he gone too far?

The City Council’s in-house lawyer has raised concerns even among his clients.…

Featured image for “Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm”
August 11, 2026

Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to retire after 16 years at helm

Lorin Mock has spent more than 40 years as a firefighter, including 27 with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.…

Featured image for “Scorching heat will continue this week across Northeast Florida”
August 11, 2026

Scorching heat will continue this week across Northeast Florida

Temperatures could reach 98 degrees in the Jacksonville area, with a heat index close to 110 degrees.…

Featured image for “Federal authorities bust violent drug trafficking gang in Jacksonville”
August 10, 2026

Federal authorities bust violent drug trafficking gang in Jacksonville

A dozen gang members have been arrested after a seven-year reign of murder and drug dealing.…

Featured image for “Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff”
August 10, 2026

Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff

Darnell Smith is returning as chief of staff as Mayor Donna Deegan enters the final year of her first term.…

Featured image for “Stanton student sues Duval Schools over sexual assault on bus”
August 10, 2026

Stanton student sues Duval Schools over sexual assault on bus

The federal lawsuit alleges the district failed to prevent rising harassment and assaults on the bus.…

Featured image for “How Duval Schools literacy compares to Florida’s largest districts”
August 10, 2026

How Duval Schools literacy compares to Florida’s largest districts

Duval Schools has historically lagged Florida’s other large urban districts in literacy proficiency.…

Featured image for “Hurricane Center monitors 3 disturbances, but none pose a direct threat”
August 10, 2026

Hurricane Center monitors 3 disturbances, but none pose a direct threat

Tropical activity appears to have ramped up, but conditions are still unfavorable for development.…

Featured image for “Duval and St. Johns schools close budget gaps before new school year”
August 10, 2026

Duval and St. Johns schools close budget gaps before new school year

Duval Schools faced a $100 million shortfall, and St. Johns ended last year $23 million in the red.…

Featured image for “Riverfront Plaza construction will close portions of Main Street Bridge”
August 7, 2026

Riverfront Plaza construction will close portions of Main Street Bridge

The bridge will be reduced to one lane heading south for up to five months, beginning Aug. 24.…

Featured image for “St. Johns teens charged with cache of homemade guns and explosives”
August 7, 2026

St. Johns teens charged with cache of homemade guns and explosives

The boys, ages 13 and 14, made guns from standard hardware and espoused racist philosophies.…

Featured image for “Fernandina voters will decide fate of paid parking. Or will they?”
August 7, 2026

Fernandina voters will decide fate of paid parking. Or will they?

Voters are deciding whether a referendum should be required to institute paid parking in Fernandina Beach.…

Featured image for “NOAA lowers hurricane forecast even further as El Niño ramps up”
August 7, 2026

NOAA lowers hurricane forecast even further as El Niño ramps up

NOAA forecasters predict seven to 13 named storms this year, including two to six hurricanes.…

Featured image for “Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law”
August 7, 2026

Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law

The law restricts minors from attending certain “adult live performances,” including some drag shows.…

Featured image for “A Duval school reported more fights than any other school in Florida”
August 6, 2026

A Duval school reported more fights than any other school in Florida

Chaffee Trail Middle School reported 117 fights in the 2024-25 school year, the highest total at any grade level.…

Featured image for “Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville leads new U.S. News hospital rankings”
August 6, 2026

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville leads new U.S. News hospital rankings

Mayo Clinic Florida joined its campuses in Minnesota and Arizona in the Honor Roll of 20 best hospitals.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Who’s in charge of Flock cameras in Jacksonville?”
August 6, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | Who’s in charge of Flock cameras in Jacksonville?

Flock cameras have created controversy around the country, and a Jacksonville Today reader has questions.…

Featured image for “Book bans and budget hurdles: Clay County’s District 4 School Board race weighs incumbent’s record against challenger’s plan”
August 6, 2026

Book bans and budget hurdles: Clay County’s District 4 School Board race weighs incumbent’s record against challenger’s plan

The two candidates have differing views about Clay County’s book bans, the most widespread in the state.…

Featured image for “Historic Laura Street Trio auctioned to Indiana developer for $125K”
August 6, 2026

Historic Laura Street Trio auctioned to Indiana developer for $125K

Becovic Management Group obtained the long-vacant Laura Street Trio in a foreclosure auction.…

Featured image for “Forecasters expect least active hurricane season in more than a decade”
August 6, 2026

Forecasters expect least active hurricane season in more than a decade

A strengthening El Niño is expected to persist in August and September, the busiest hurricane months.…

Featured image for “Backstage at The Amp with St. Augustine photographer Dustin Miller”
August 6, 2026

Backstage at The Amp with St. Augustine photographer Dustin Miller

Miller’s portraits capture pre-show jitters and post-show elation backstage at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Jax Beach Summer Fest; Native plant walk; CatVideoFest”
August 5, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Jax Beach Summer Fest; Native plant walk; CatVideoFest

A weekend of music and family hangouts at Jacksonville Beach, a guided native plant walk, and CatVideoFest Downtown are What…

Featured image for “Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project”
August 5, 2026

Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project

Developer Gateway Jax and city officials are renegotiating a nearly $50 million incentives deal for the Downtown Publix project.…

Featured image for “Duval school bus drivers threaten strike, but more meetings planned”
August 5, 2026

Duval school bus drivers threaten strike, but more meetings planned

Durham School Services will meet with bus drivers this week in an attempt to avert a strike.…