Arts, Culture & Events

Featured image for “Historic Black church in Palatka receives national recognition”

St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Palatka is an example of the Carpenter Gothic style of architecture. | City of Palatka

Historic Black church in Palatka receives national recognition

The 143-year-old church was recognized as one of the most significant African American churches in Florida.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Hurricane forecasters downgrade predictions as El Niño strengthens”

Hurricane Helene left significant damage in Madison County in September 2024. | Mike Exline, News Service of Florida file

Hurricane forecasters downgrade predictions as El Niño strengthens

Colorado State University and AccuWeather both reduced the number of storms they expect this hurricane season.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | How Dennis Street became an industrial powerhouse”

THE JAXSON | How Dennis Street became an industrial powerhouse

Long before Jacksonville’s Westside became synonymous with warehouses and distribution centers, a single developer saw opportunity in an overlooked stretch…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “Fernandina Beach imposes new rules to rein in reckless e-bikers”

Bikes are lined up at racks in Fernandina Beach. | News4Jax

Fernandina Beach imposes new rules to rein in reckless e-bikers

The ordinance allows only human power on sidewalks and limits e-bikes to 10 mph on paths and trails.…

By Ashley French - News4Jax and Briana Brownleee - News4Jax

Featured image for “Jacksonville under heat advisory as dangerous temperatures return”

Photo of Indian Riverside Park in Martin County. | Martin County

Jacksonville under heat advisory as dangerous temperatures return

The heat index in Northeast Florida could reach as high as 112 degrees, and heat advisories are possible all week.…

By Dan Scanlan and Andrew Wulfeck - Storm Center

Featured image for “Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum faces drug charges in Alabama”

Former Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum speaks to supporters during a gathering at the Florida Democratic Party state conference, June 7, 2019, in Orlando. | John Raoux, AP file

Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum faces drug charges in Alabama

Police said they found marijuana cigarettes and suspected methamphetamine in Gillum’s car.…

By The Associated Press

Featured image for “Federal court halts Florida law banning ‘woke’ instruction in universities”

The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Florida's "Stop WOKE Act." | 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal court halts Florida law banning ‘woke’ instruction in universities

The court said the state’s “Stop WOKE Act” sought to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse.…

By Gray Rohrer - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide”

County Commissioner Sarah Arnold, former St. Augustine Beach Mayor (and current City Commissioner) Dylan Rumrell and County Commissioner Christian Whitehurst. | St. Johns County, St. Augustine Beach

St. Johns County officeholders charged in connection with fake voter guide

Three elected officials are accused of circulating a fake Republican voter guide ahead of the 2024 election.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Jake Gordon to step down as CEO after 11 years at Downtown Vision Inc.”

Jake Gordon, CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Vision Inc., will step down as of Sept. 30. | Downtown Vision Inc.

Jake Gordon to step down as CEO after 11 years at Downtown Vision Inc.

Gordon said it was time for new perspectives at Downtown Vision, a nonprofit that aims to revitalize Downtown.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Chick-fil-A opens lunch counter to test market in Downtown Jacksonville”

Jax Tower at 50 North is the former Bank of America Tower. | Karen Brune Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record

Chick-fil-A opens lunch counter to test market in Downtown Jacksonville

Chick-fil-A is exploring an expansion at Jax Tower at 50 North., the former Bank of America Tower.…

By Ric Anderson - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Saharan dust is floating toward Florida, which can be good and bad”

A map showing a blanket of Saharan dust over Florida.

Saharan dust is floating toward Florida, which can be good and bad

A plume of Saharan dust will arrive this week, causing storm chances to drop and temperatures to soar.…

By Irene Sans - Storm Center

Featured image for “Legal changes will ease prosecution of people who fail to report child abuse”

The Florida Legislature in session on April 29, 2026. | Mike Stewart, AP

Legal changes will ease prosecution of people who fail to report child abuse

The law changes the statute of limitations for people like teachers who are required to report any abuse they suspect.…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “European Street Café to open 4th site at Riverfront Plaza in Downtown”

A rendering of the planned second phase of Riverfront Plaza, showing a beer garden and restaurant. | City of Jacksonville/Perkins & Will

European Street Café to open 4th site at Riverfront Plaza in Downtown

The restaurant will open in the second phase of Riverfront Plaza, which is under construction.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine”

The Karpeles Manuscript Museum recently opened in St. Augustine's historic downtown | Karpeles Manuscript Museum

From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine

The new Karpeles Manuscript Museum is the home base for more than 1 million historical documents.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Can you still join Jacksonville’s Park Safety Council?”

The Jean Ribault-themed playground at Friendship Fountain | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

#AskJAXTDY | Can you still join Jacksonville’s Park Safety Council?

The Park Safety Council has struggled to reach a quorum in recent years. A Jacksonville Today reader wants to help.…

By Simone Endress

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Mixed Fillings recognized by USA Today”

Some of the best pies in America can be found in Downtown Jax. | Mixed Fillings Pie Shop

BIT OF JOY | Mixed Fillings recognized by USA Today

Jacksonville shop Mixed Fillings is holding onto its title of one of the top pie shops in America. USA Today…

By Simone Endress

Featured image for “Nat Ford stepping down as CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority”

Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford speaks at the topping-out ceremony for the U2C Autonomous Innovation Center near Broad and Water streets in LaVilla. | Jeffrey Leeser via Jacksonville Daily Record

Nat Ford stepping down as CEO of Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Ford, JTA’s CEO for 13 years, will remain with the authority through Jan. 8 as the board seeks a replacement.…

By Joe Lister - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “OPINION | Children are the future of representative government”

The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today

OPINION | Children are the future of representative government

Opinion columnist A.G. Gancarski argues that Gov. Ron DeSantis should not have vetoed a bill that would have allowed teens…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “Libertarian can remain on City Council ballot; judge dismisses Duval GOP lawsuit”

The Duval County Courthouse. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Libertarian can remain on City Council ballot; judge dismisses Duval GOP lawsuit

The dismissal clears the way for a three-way race for the Jacksonville City Council special election in August.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Holon still plans to build autonomous vehicles in Jacksonville”

The Holon Mover is an autonomous electric vehicle with a top speed of 37 mph. It has seating for up to 15 passengers. | Bentler

Holon still plans to build autonomous vehicles in Jacksonville

Holon intends to break ground on a plant this year and must create 100 jobs by the end of 2028.…

By Joe Lister - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Duval Schools retains its A grade; St. Johns County still tops in the state”

The St. Johns County School District is the highest-performing district in Florida. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today

Duval Schools retains its A grade; St. Johns County still tops in the state

Florida gave A grades to Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns County schools. Nassau finished second in the state.…

By Heather Henderson

Featured image for “Publix reopens in Fernandina Beach after a year of renovations”

The produce and deli area of the renovated Publix in Fernandina Beach. | News4Jax

Publix reopens in Fernandina Beach after a year of renovations

Residents had fewer grocery options with the Publix and Winn-Dixie both closed since 2025.…

By Andrea Snody - News4Jax

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history”

Cynthia Garris is poised to become the first Black person to serve as mayor of St. Augustine in the city's 461-year history. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

St. Augustine’s mayor-elect reflects on career, plans and making history

Cynthia Garris will make history when she is sworn in Dec. 7 as the city’s first Black mayor.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Housing aid recipients would have 3 months to find work under new regulation”

Katrina Moore listens at a public meeting held by the Jacksonville Housing Authority on Saturday, June 26, 2026. | Elizabeth Caldwell, Jacksonville Today

Housing aid recipients would have 3 months to find work under new regulation

Some Jacksonville Housing Authority residents are concerned they wouldn’t have enough time.…

By Elizabeth Caldwell