Government & Politics

Featured image for “JTA CEO Nat Ford selected as head of Dallas rapid transit system”

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

JTA CEO Nat Ford selected as head of Dallas rapid transit system

Nat Ford had planned to retire from JTA in January, but the agency will now need a replacement sooner.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach”

Cianna Bommarito co-owns Kava & Co. with her father, Giovanni, and says the business caters heavily to remote workers and young adults seeking a nightlife alternative to alcohol. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Today

Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach

Kava & Co. offers alcohol-free drinks with optional infusions of CBD, kava and other boosters.…

By Dan Macdonald - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget”

Renovation work continues Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at EverBank Stadium in Downtown Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

Stadium, MOSH and roads top list of most expensive projects in Deegan’s budget

The $587 million capital improvement plan would fund 132 infrastructure projects.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue”

St. Johns County is eyeing a $1.46 billion budget for the next fiscal year | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

St. Johns County eyes $1.46B budget with uncertainty about tax revenue

The county is considering a budget with a flat tax rate, but many people could pay higher taxes anyway.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues”

A canopy of trees hangs over part of Mandarin Road near Brady Road in Mandarin. It is near the home of the man who named the community in 1830 — Calvin Reed. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Mandarin seeks to preserve its character as growth continues

The Mandarin Area Preservation Project will begin with two public workshops on Wednesday.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Jacksonville back-to-school giveaways”

Boeing collaborated with Communities in Schools Jacksonville, as well as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to giveaway backpacks and school supplies to Duval County students on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Students also participated in hands-on STEM activities during the event. | Submitted, Boeing

Jacksonville back-to-school giveaways

Duval County organizations will provide school supplies across Jacksonville ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Local real estate firm secures funding for affordable housing portfolio”

Local real estate firm secures funding for affordable housing portfolio

JWB Real Estate Capital plans three projects — its first foray into affordable housing development.…

By Leah Foreman - Jacksonville Business Journal

Featured image for “In home state, Moms for Liberty shows lackluster influence in school board races”

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024. | Mark Schiefelbein, AP file

In home state, Moms for Liberty shows lackluster influence in school board races

Moms for Liberty Florida has not made any contributions to local school board candidates across Florida.…

By Trinity Webster-Bass - The Florida Trib

Featured image for “Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain”

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. acquired Maple Street Biscuit Co. in 2019 for $36 million. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain

Sixteen Maple Street locations will close, and Biscuit Belly will convert the others to its own brand.…

By Mark Basch - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Bertha forms in the Gulf; parts of Florida could feel effects”

Official track by the National Hurricane Center issued on Monday, July 20, at 8 pm EDT.

Tropical Storm Bertha forms in the Gulf; parts of Florida could feel effects

Wind shear will limit Bertha’s intensification, but strong winds are expected in the northern Gulf Coast region.…

By Irene Sans - Storm Center

Featured image for “Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget”

Mayor Donna Deegan, on stage at right, speaks at a town hall meeting on March 24, 2026, at Springfield Middle School. | City of Jacksonville

Deegan plans 8 town hall meetings to discuss proposed city budget

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will meet with residents in August and September to discuss her budget priorities.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, delivers her annual budget address Monday, July 20, 2026, with City Council President Nick Howland to her side. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

Deegan’s $2B budget: public safety, affordable housing, and roads and bridges

The mayor’s proposed budget is heavy on infrastructure and holds the tax millage rate steady.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes”

Ballot boxes at a voting booth. | Felix, rawpixel.com, stock.adobe.com

UNF poll finds mixed opinions on ballot issue to cut property taxes

Support was weaker when the poll explained that tax cuts could severely reduce public services.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman”

Alex Vindman (left) and Angie Nixon (right) seek to become the first Democrat from Florida elected to the United States Senate in 14 years. | Submitted

Democratic Senate race: Jacksonville progressive Angie Nixon vs. ret. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman

Alex Vindman and Angie Nixon face off in the 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Both hope to unseat Republican…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects”

Neptune Beach is exploring fees that could help pay for future capital projects. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Neptune Beach explores impact fees to help fund capital improvement projects

The city would use the fees to help offset its investment in infrastructure needed for growth.…

By J. Brooks Terry - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics”

Congressman Byron Donalds at an event April 8, 2025, celebrating heroic veterans across a Southwest Florida community. He is running for Florida governor in 2026.

As AI grows, so does its influence on Florida politics

From political spending to data center debates, here’s how AI is shaping politics in this election season.…

By Douglas Soule - WUSF

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville’s budget showdown begins”

City Councill President Nick Howland, seen here in 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today

OPINION | Jacksonville’s budget showdown begins

Jacksonville faces a budget fight over the next couple of months.…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “Cyclosporiasis is in the Jacksonville area. What to know”

Amid a cyclospora outbreak, doctors caution that washing produce with water may not be enough. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today

Cyclosporiasis is in the Jacksonville area. What to know

Cyclosporiasis cases are on the rise, including in Duval and St. Johns counties. Here’s what to know about avoiding (and…

By Simone Endress

Featured image for “Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community”

The Arbor Mill 55+ community in Oakleaf. | News4Jax

Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community

The woman inherited her father’s home after he died, but the 55+ community says she can’t live there.…

By Tiffany Salameh - News4Jax

Featured image for “City’s first four-year medical school opens at Jacksonville University”

City’s first four-year medical school opens at Jacksonville University

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed about 75 students to its new medical school.…

By Joe Lister - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research”

This 8,558-square-foot oceanfront home at 1185 and 1187 Ponte Vedra Blvd. sold for $20 million July 13, 2026, with proceeds benefiting The Sontag Foundation. | Jacksonville Daily Record

$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research

Aerospace executive Rick Sontag donated the home to the foundation he and his late wife formed.…

By Dan Macdonald - Jacksonville Daily Record

Featured image for “Monday is deadline to update voter registration for August primary”

A Florida voter registration form.

Monday is deadline to update voter registration for August primary

In addition to new Florida voters, people who want to switch their political party also have until Monday.…

By News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Florida’s midsummer report card: Widespread heat, uneven rainfall”

Halfway through summer, Florida has experienced warm temperatures and scattered rainfall.

Florida’s midsummer report card: Widespread heat, uneven rainfall

Several Florida cities are experiencing an exceptionally warm summer. Rainfall has varied across the state.…

By Andrew Wulfeck - Storm Center

Featured image for “Aviation authority board starts 30-day clock on possible city of Jax lawsuit”

Jacksonville Aviation Authority board Chair David Hodges Jr. leads a special meeting to consider filing a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

Aviation authority board starts 30-day clock on possible city of Jax lawsuit

The potential lawsuit claims City Council is trying to unlawfully divert funds from the Aviation Authority budgets.…

By Mike Mendenhall