Government & Politics

Featured image for “New Concourse B takes shape at Jacksonville’s airport”

Construction continues on Concourse B at Jacksonville International Airport. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

New Concourse B takes shape at Jacksonville’s airport

The new concourse is on track to open in December with six additional gates, most for American Airlines.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator”

Country Carriages has operated its horse and carriage business in St. Augustine since 2004. | Courtesy Country Carriages

St. Augustine drops longtime horse carriage operator

The action comes after pressure from animal welfare activists and a history of rules violations.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Grand new entrance puts you into the Jacksonville zoo”

The Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens, will have a new entrance starting March 6, 2026. the $72 million structure is 25,000 square feet, and 50 feet tall at the highest peak. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

Grand new entrance puts you into the Jacksonville zoo

The zoo will open the VyStar SkyScape entrance March 6 with an expanded manatee exhibit.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “JTA approves new fares for Connexion Plus”

A JTA Connexion Plus van. | Jacksonville Transportation Authority

JTA approves new fares for Connexion Plus

Rate adjustments come after the community complained about earlier plans to end the private Connexion Plus service.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments”

Randy Fine speaks at the Florida Capitol in 2022 | Phil Sears, AP

Local leaders back Randy Fine despite anti-Muslim comments

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick says he does not plan to rescind his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “JAXPORT shippers rely less on Red Sea during turmoil”

JAXPORT CEO Eric Green addresses more than 600 people during the 2026 State of the Port on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. | JAXPORT

JAXPORT shippers rely less on Red Sea during turmoil

JAXPORT does not expect to experience a large effect from a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tariffs.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “City Council president urged to step aside during JEA blowup”

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico taking the oath of office in June 2025. | City of Jacksonville

City Council president urged to step aside during JEA blowup

Council President Kevin Carrico declined and attacked council member Jimmy Peluso as a “drama queen.”…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Tax law could be boon for Jacksonville auto show”

A row of Mazdas are just some of the 200 new cars and trucks on display at the 2026 Jacksonville International Auto Show. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Tax law could be boon for Jacksonville auto show

Auto show dealers hope to benefit from a law that allows people to deduct interest on new U.S. vehicles.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Jacksonville police officer accused of overtime theft”

Christian Madsen, a motor unit officer, is seen here in a Facebook video form the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He is accused of taking thousands of dollars in overtime for work that was never done. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, News4Jax

Jacksonville police officer accused of overtime theft

Officer Christian Madsen visited his supervisor for romance while putting in for overtime, the sheriff says.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Civil rights marker unveiled at historic Durkeeville church”

Jacksonville will erect 40 markers as part of its inclusion on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The first was unveiled inside Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church because the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke there in March 1961. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Civil rights marker unveiled at historic Durkeeville church

Jacksonville’s first Civil Rights Trail marker will be erected at Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church this spring.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication”

Fernando Hermida holds a bottle of Biktarvy, his HIV medication, in Charlotte, North Carolina on on May 27, 2024. | Laura Bargfeld, AP

Thousands of Floridians could lose HIV medication

The state issued an emergency rule Tuesday that reduces funding for HIV/AIDS medication for an estimated 16,000 people.…

By Carlton Gillespie - WLRN

Featured image for “House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility”

Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka of Fort Myers sponsored the bill on voter eligibility. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida file

House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility

The bill includes new requirements for proving citizenship when registering to vote.…

By Jim Turner - News Service of Florida

Featured image for “Cuba says 4 killed in speedboat were potential terrorists”

Cuba says 4 killed in speedboat were potential terrorists

Cuba says the men were armed Cubans living in Florida who were trying to unleash terror on the island.…

By The Associated Press

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ concert; World of Nations, Flight to Freedom reenactment”

Experience history at Fort Mose Historic State Park during the annual Flight to Freedom heritage event.

WHAT TO DO | ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ concert; World of Nations, Flight to Freedom reenactment

Downtown Jacksonville’s annual World of Nations festival, a performance of the “Black National Anthem,” and an immersive Underground Railroad reenactment…

By Amy Garrett

Featured image for “3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol”

An aerial view of Downtown Jacksonville | Jacksonville Daily Record

3 a.m. toast: Some Downtown bars get extra hour on alcohol

Sales will be allowed until 3 a.m. in the NorthCore, the Central Core, and the Sports and Entertainment District.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway”

The Jacksonvill Transportation Authority is considering five proposals for the future of the Skyway.

New proposals emerge for future of Jacksonville’s Skyway

Transit officials want to know what the public thinks about five possibilities for upgrading the Skyway.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine”

A statue of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass now sits in downtown St. Augustine. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

Statue of Frederick Douglass unveiled in St. Augustine

Gov. Ron DeSantis dedicated the statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass near a plaza where slaves were once sold.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Local NFL player honored”

New England Patriots player DeMario Douglas, his mother, Angie Oxendine, grandmother, Yolanda Mack, great-grandmother, Glennie Haile James, and the St. Augustine City Commissioners | Submitted

BIT OF JOY | Local NFL player honored

The St. Augustine City Commission honored NFL player and St. Augustine native DeMario Douglas, who recently played in the Super…

By Heather Henderson

Featured image for “Jaguars announce two London games in 2026”

EverBank Stadium, seen here in October 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Jaguars announce two London games in 2026

The Jaguars reaffirmed plans to play in Jacksonville next season, but two home games will be overseas.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments”

State Sen. Randy Fine of Melbourne has filed two bills related to immigration for the regular legislative session in March. He said he hopes they are taken up during the special session.

Rep. Randy Fine doubles down on anti-Muslim comments

As Fine continues to push the issue, Central Florida leaders are calling out religious hate.…

By Joe Mario Pedersen - Central Florida Public Media

Featured image for “St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon”

St. Augustine's Treasury building, seen here from the Bridge of Lions, is the tallest in the historic downtown's skyline, standing six-stories tall. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

St. Augustine’s Treasury building could be a hotel soon

More than 100 rooms are planned in the Treasury building along with a new parking garage.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Defending Black History Month”

A group of early 20th century segregation era Black business leaders on the steps of Old Stanton High School in LaVilla. | University of North Florida

THE JAXSON | Defending Black History Month

Black History Month predates contemporary political terminology and was conceived during the Jim Crow era as a scholarly initiative, not…

By Jerry Urso

Featured image for “JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace”

JEA CEO Vickie Cavey. speaks at the JEA board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, as board Chair Joe DiSalvo listens. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today

February 24, 2026

JEA board backs CEO amid claims of toxic workplace

The board also pushed back against one of its own members for privately asking CEO Vickie Cavey to resign.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “JEA board approves sale of former headquarters”

Live Oak Contracting plans to transform the former JEA headquarters campus in Downtown Jacksonville into The Jewel at 21 West. | Jacksonville Daily Record

February 24, 2026

JEA board approves sale of former headquarters

Live Oak Contracting plans to convert the JEA building into residential units, offices and rooftop amenities.…

By Joe Lister - Jacksonville Daily Record