PerspectivesCole Pepper Jacksonville Today Contributor
Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags’ brutal loss raises questions”
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is tackled by Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and former Jaguar Shaquille Griffin. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 37-17 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The defeat was the second straight home loss at EverBank Stadium for the Jaguars. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 24, 2023

SPORTS | Jags’ brutal loss raises questions

In the course of three hours on Sunday’s sun-soaked afternoon, the Jaguars’ season took a dramatic turn. Facing the perennial…

Featured image for “Tenured UNF faculty protest performance reviews”
The UNF board of trustees meets Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. | News4Jax
September 22, 2023

Tenured UNF faculty protest performance reviews

A new state law requires that tenured faculty undergo performance reviews every five years.…

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra resort plan moves forward despite complaints”
An illustration shows the proposed new Surf Club at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. l Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
September 22, 2023

Ponte Vedra resort plan moves forward despite complaints

The St. Johns County Planning & Zoning Agency approved a plan to upgrade and expand two resorts in Ponte Vedra.…

Featured image for “Support appears strong for Jacksonville’s new top lawyer”
Michael Fackler has been appointed as Jacksonville's general counsel. | Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam P.A
September 22, 2023

Support appears strong for Jacksonville’s new top lawyer

Michael Fackler seems to have sufficient support on City Council to become Jacksonville’s next general counsel.…

Featured image for “Winds and rip currents possible as storm moves up coast”
September 22, 2023

Winds and rip currents possible as storm moves up coast

Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph are possible as Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 passes the First Coast.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Reading the tea leaves: What poll means for Sheriff Waters, Mayor Deegan”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks at a news conference announcing the results of "Operation: Hot Summer." | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
September 21, 2023

OPINION | Reading the tea leaves: What poll means for Sheriff Waters, Mayor Deegan

Typically, one poll does not garner this much attention. But the latest University of North Florida Jax Speaks poll gives…

Featured image for “Meterologists offer storm advice for the hard of hearing”
September 21, 2023

Meterologists offer storm advice for the hard of hearing

By working with organizations dedicated to the deaf community, the National Weather Service offers information that could be lifesaving in…

Featured image for “Armada picks development team for Downtown stadium”
September 21, 2023

Armada picks development team for Downtown stadium

The Jacksonville Armada FC soccer club plans to develop property near EverBank Stadium.…

Featured image for “Winn-Dixie returns to College Park in Arlington”
Confetti and streamers fly to mark the grand opening of the new Winn-Dixie in College Park on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
September 21, 2023

Winn-Dixie returns to College Park in Arlington

The opening fills a food desert in an area where Winn-Dixie operated from 1997 to 2007.…

Featured image for “Duval students continue to get free JTA bus rides”
September 21, 2023

Duval students continue to get free JTA bus rides

The MyRide2School program will continue this school year for middle and high schools students at public, private or charter schools.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Jacksonville should act to reverse the legacy of racist housing policies”
September 20, 2023

OPINION | Jacksonville should act to reverse the legacy of racist housing policies

The U.S. government created ghettoes.  Government action produced racially segregated communities in the U.S., including in Jacksonville. This was no…

Featured image for “Tougher laws against sex offenders, predators approved in St. Johns County”
September 20, 2023

Tougher laws against sex offenders, predators approved in St. Johns County

On Tuesday, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved tougher ordinances against sexual predators and offenders.…

Featured image for “Glowing blue obelisk dedicated as public art at JU main gate”
The new 20-foot glass-and-steel obelisk, created by artist Shan Shan Sheng ,glows blue in a traffic circle outside Jacksonville University, prior to its officials dedication on Wednesday. Jacksonville University
September 20, 2023

Glowing blue obelisk dedicated as public art at JU main gate

The Obelisk in front of Jacksonville University was officially dedicated as a public art piece on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.…

Featured image for “Public-private partnership OKd to manage The Amp, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall”
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre. St. Johns County
September 20, 2023

Public-private partnership OKd to manage The Amp, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

St. Johns County’s two best-known concert venues will now be operated by a nonprofit, after commissioners approved a public-private partnership…

Featured image for “ARTS PICKS | Sept. 22-24”
September 20, 2023

ARTS PICKS | Sept. 22-24

This weekend is all about music, from national headliners in St. Augustine to a local jazz trio taking on “A…

Featured image for “Gateway Jax launches plans for Downtown development that could reach $2B”
September 20, 2023

Gateway Jax launches plans for Downtown development that could reach $2B

A $500 million mixed-used development in Downtown Jacksonville with apartments and a grocery store is Phase 1 of a project…

Featured image for “Three South Jacksonville hotels being transformed into apartments”
September 20, 2023

Three South Jacksonville hotels being transformed into apartments

Two troubled hotels off Baymeadows Road and one near University and Bowden are being turned into apartments averaging $1,000 to…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts”
September 19, 2023

THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts

here are nine stories that suggest Hispanic influence on the development and culture of Jacksonville is just as old as…

Featured image for “Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium”
The Jacksonville Jaguars have proposed renovating EverBank Stadium into the "Stadium of the Future."
September 19, 2023

Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium

Though she likes city ownership of EverBank Stadium, Mayor Donna Deegan says all options are being considered at negotiations begin.…

Featured image for “Going to St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Fest this weekend?”
A Sing Out Loud concert venue. Sing Out Loud
September 19, 2023

Going to St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Fest this weekend?

Parking and road closure info for the 2023 Sing Out Loud Festival in St. Augustine…

Featured image for “Proposed tax on restaurants might be toast after Jax City Council committee withdraws bill”
September 19, 2023

Proposed tax on restaurants might be toast after Jax City Council committee withdraws bill

A proposal to impose a new tax on Jacksonville restaurants and hotels to help the homeless population has hit a…

Featured image for “OPINION | Where did Deegan go wrong? Lessons from the failed Ferraro and DeFoor nominations”
September 18, 2023

OPINION | Where did Deegan go wrong? Lessons from the failed Ferraro and DeFoor nominations

Two failed nominations reveal a surprising lack of understanding of how the City Council actually works and thinks.…

Featured image for “DeSantis celebrates first responder bonuses with Jacksonville firefighters and police”
Jacksonville Fire Chief Keith Powers speaks before Gov. Ron DeSantis presented $1,000 bonus checks to local police and firefighters at a Craig Municipal Airport event. | Governor's Office
September 18, 2023

DeSantis celebrates first responder bonuses with Jacksonville firefighters and police

Florida’s governor joined police and fire fighters in Jacksonville to talk about the state’s first responder bonuses.…

Featured image for “Gov. DeSantis awards Clay County over $3.5M infrastructure grant”
September 18, 2023

Gov. DeSantis awards Clay County over $3.5M infrastructure grant

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday awarded more than $3.5 million to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners through the…