First Coast Habitat for Humanity dedicated a new house in Fernandina Beach on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, for a couple striving for homeownership through the nonprofit’s affordable housing program. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today

The twin marble lions that guard St. Augustine's Bridge of Lions are named Firm and Faithful. The lion statues were erected in the 1920s. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville City Council will consider allowing bars in certain areas of Downtown to continue serving alcohol until 3 a.m. | Jacksonville Daily Record

Biology teacher Mari Richardson was named 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. The Jean Ribault High School teacher was selected from a pool of about 180 candidates. Superintendent Christopher Bernier says “she meets students where they are, helps them to exceed their own expectations, and creates a classroom where confidence and achievement grow together.” As a thanks for her dedication to her students, Richardson won grants for her classroom, a cash prize and a new car. She’ll also go on to represent Duval at the Florida Teacher of the Year awards. Way to go!

A cheesesteak at D&LP Subs in Jacksonville Beach | Hanna Raskin

A video from a police bodycam shows a confrontation Jan. 5, 2026, outside a Southside apartment. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are urging people to donate due to critically low supplies in Florida. | LifeSouth

The Florida House in session. | Wilfredo Lee, AP

LIFT Jax CEO Travis Williams was brought home to this house on Van Buren Street on the Eastside. His roots in the neighborhood have informed his work leading the nonprofit that advocates for the Eastside. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Black lawmakers protest the attorney general's stance on affirmative action in the Florida Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. | News Service of Florida

The Daily Manna Community Garden at 426 Smith St. in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

These 10 Jacksonville students will perform at Carnegie Hall next weekend in a prestigious music competition. | Submitted

A Florida bill would allow licensed drivers to use UTVs on two-lane county and city roads with posted speed limits under 55 mph. | Debra Lawrence, stock.adobe.com

A city-owned restaurant is planned in Riverfront Plaza, the park at the former site of the Jacksonville Landing in Downtown. | Jacksonville Daily Record

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, touts her union bonafides during a December 2023 rally by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters at the Anheuser-Busch facility in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Urban Book Fest in 2025 | Urban Book Fest via Facebook

The Pearl Street retail corridor planned by Gateway Jax. | Gateway Jax

The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences is under construction along the Northbank of the St. John River south of EverBank Stadium. | Four Seasons Hotel and Residences

A NAVI autonomous shuttle moves through traffic on East Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas speaks about the racial comments of a Clay County School Board member. | News4Jax