Featured image for “Jacksonville set to fight ‘predatory’ PACE loan program”
City officials say this homeowner's tax bill soared under the PACE program. | City of Jacksonville.
October 5, 2023

Jacksonville set to fight ‘predatory’ PACE loan program

City and county officials say the PACE home improvement program is sticking property owners with bills they can’t afford.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville City Council OKs budget after debate over homelessness funding ”
Jacksonville City Hall
September 26, 2023

Jacksonville City Council OKs budget after debate over homelessness funding 

The Council ultimately shot down a budget amendment that would have redirected $3.1 million from the mayor’s $25 million budget…

Featured image for “City plans to buy proposed Brentwood liquor store”
A proposed liquor store at the corner of Golfair Boulevard and Davis Street is less than 200 feet away from KIPP Voice Academy. When a zoning execption for the store was approved in 2020 the school had yet to be built. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 25, 2023

City plans to buy proposed Brentwood liquor store

City Council Member Ju’Coby Pittman has told residents the city will buy the property, which sits less than 200 feet…

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 “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 “Proposed food and beverage tax sparks early debate”
A homeless person covers up from the cold in Downtown Jacksonville.
September 14, 2023

Proposed food and beverage tax sparks early debate

A proposed 1% tax on food and drinks would fund anti-homelessness programs in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Deegan nominee DeFoor withdraws name from Jacksonville top attorney consideration”
Former City Councilwoman Randy DeFoor speaks at a news conference at City Hall. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
September 13, 2023

Deegan nominee DeFoor withdraws name from Jacksonville top attorney consideration

Randy DeFoor, the former Jacksonville City Council member who Mayor Donna Deegan nominated to lead the city’s Office of General…

Featured image for “OPINION | The ultimate pragmatist: E. Denise Lee’s inclusive politics”
September 4, 2023

OPINION | The ultimate pragmatist: E. Denise Lee’s inclusive politics

We need Denise Lee’s clarity of vision to be actualized by a new generation, her ability to unify people who…

Featured image for “Mayor and finance board spar over diversity chief funding”
August 25, 2023

Mayor and finance board spar over diversity chief funding

The Finance Committee recommended slicing a portion of the mayor’s budget that would have paid for a chief of diversity.…

Featured image for “Mayor decries ‘smear campaign’ over top attorney’s appointment”
Mayor Donna Deegan answers questions at a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, to rally support for her nominee for general counsel, Randy DeFoor, right. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
August 23, 2023

Mayor decries ‘smear campaign’ over top attorney’s appointment

City Council voted Tuesday to send a second request to the Florida ethics commission about Randy DeFoor’s ability to take…

Featured image for “Jacksonville promises to tame those overgrown lots”
Grass is mowed Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at A. Philip Randolph Park. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
August 16, 2023

Jacksonville promises to tame those overgrown lots

Mayor Donna Deegan is proposing a 95% increase in the amount of money allocated to the city’s Mowing and Landscaping…

Featured image for “OPINION | Is it a purge? Donna Deegan separates from the Lenny Curry era”
August 7, 2023

OPINION | Is it a purge? Donna Deegan separates from the Lenny Curry era

Mayor Donna Deegan has made some moves that show a dramatic break with the previous administration. But not all of…

Featured image for “On housing, homelessness and health care, Jax committee passes learnings to new Council ”
July 25, 2023

On housing, homelessness and health care, Jax committee passes learnings to new Council 

Jacksonville’s Critical Quality of Life Committee has presented its final report to guide policy for helping low-income people.…

Featured image for “Jax budget plan makes sure federal COVID relief isn’t lost”
July 24, 2023

Jax budget plan makes sure federal COVID relief isn’t lost

Jacksonville’s unspent COVID relief money could go toward UF Health’s indigent care program, city employee health care and more.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment ”
Duval Schools HQ
July 5, 2023

OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment 

Mike Clark reacts to progress in school administration and also what doesn’t make sense to him about this time of…

Featured image for “City Council At-large Group 5: Environmental board member Charles Garrison vs. congressional staffer Chris Miller”
Charles Garrison, left, and Chris Miller, right, are candidates for City Council At-Large, Group 5 | Submitted by campaign
April 19, 2023

City Council At-large Group 5: Environmental board member Charles Garrison vs. congressional staffer Chris Miller

Republican Chris Miller and Democrat Charles Garrison are vying to be the next at-large member of the Jacksonville City Council.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | How does the election supervisor do his job when his son is running for office?”
March 27, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | How does the election supervisor do his job when his son is running for office?

With his son on the Jacksonville City Council ballot this spring, here’s what Election Supervisor Mike Hogan can’t do.…

Featured image for “City Council: 6 incumbents and 3 new members elected as 7 races go to runoffs”
March 21, 2023

City Council: 6 incumbents and 3 new members elected as 7 races go to runoffs

With voter turnout of 25.5%, here are the results of the March 2023 Jacksonville City Council races.…

Featured image for “OPINION | Why you should run for local office – and why you shouldn’t ”
March 15, 2023

OPINION | Why you should run for local office – and why you shouldn’t 

Advice on running for Jax City Council from a former councilman, who says now is the time to prep for…

Featured image for “3 takeaways from the Jacksonville mayoral debate”
Jacksonville University hosted a mayoral debate between the seven candidates vying for election this spring. They were placed in alphabetical order: Omega Allen, LeAnna Cumber, Daniel Davis, Donna Deegan, Al Ferraro, Audrey Gibson and Frank Keasler. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 9, 2023

3 takeaways from the Jacksonville mayoral debate

Here’s what the candidates had to say about infrastructure needs, their Downtown plan, and the importance of the St. Johns…

Featured image for “OPINION | Look beyond the top of the ticket”
March 6, 2023

OPINION | Look beyond the top of the ticket

The real change lies in who’s elected to the down ballot races. We have 19 seats on our City Council,…

Featured image for “What makes a good City Council member? Jax City Hall alumni weigh in ”
February 13, 2023

What makes a good City Council member? Jax City Hall alumni weigh in 

Jacksonville’s City Council will have a new look on July 1. Eight of 15 council races do not have an…

Featured image for “VOTER GUIDE | Jacksonville City Council”
A City Council committee approved an ordinance that would require certain businesses to provide changing tables for adults. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
February 8, 2023

VOTER GUIDE | Jacksonville City Council

Candidates for Jacksonville City Council answer the Jax Today Questionnaire.…

Featured image for “OPINION | LeAnna Cumber’s political peril”
February 2, 2023

OPINION | LeAnna Cumber’s political peril

With the political establishment lining up with Daniel Davis, the ultimate insider, LeAnna Cumber is vulnerable.…