Reporting on local and state politics, elections, legislation, and the leaders shaping policy in Jacksonville and Florida.
Featured image for “Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan”
State Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, filed his intention to run for Jacksonville mayor on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 2, 2026

Rep. Wyman Duggan announces run for mayor in challenge to Donna Deegan

Duggan cited affordability and turmoil at the city’s independent authorities as campaign priorities.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Is Jacksonville prepared for the $200M shortfall if Amendment 3 passes? Short answer, no.”
Jacksonville City Council member Will Lahnen, right, who chairs the Finance Committee, has found $30 million in cuts, much of which could end up paying for public-safety projects. That falls well short of the hundreds of millions city officials would have to carve out in future years if voters approve Amendment 3 in November. | City of Jacksonville
September 23, 2026

Is Jacksonville prepared for the $200M shortfall if Amendment 3 passes? Short answer, no.

City Council’s Finance Committee found $30 million in cuts, but that’s far less than needed if Amendment 3 passes.…

By Molly Farrar - The Florida Trib

Featured image for “Does ‘no-kill’ shelter policy leave dangerous dogs on Jacksonville’s streets?”
Dog attack victim Roland Moore stands in his family's driveway on Marquis Drive on July 10, 2026. | Simone Endress, Jacksonville Today
September 23, 2026

Does ‘no-kill’ shelter policy leave dangerous dogs on Jacksonville’s streets?

No-kill is designed to save animals’ lives, but critics say it can lead to devastating consequences.…

By Elizabeth Caldwell

Featured image for “Winners and losers: Where Jacksonville’s proposed $2B budget stands”
A rendering shows the James Weldon Johnson Park renovations that are funded in the city's proposed Capital Improvement Plan. | City of Jacksonville
September 3, 2026

Winners and losers: Where Jacksonville’s proposed $2B budget stands

The full Jacksonville City Council will have a final vote on the budget during its Sept. 22 meeting.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Rainbow crosswalks are gone, but Five Points mural keeps diversity alive”
Local artist Shaun Thurston stands before the mural he painted in Five Points to honor the neighborhood’s LGBTQ+ history. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
September 3, 2026

Rainbow crosswalks are gone, but Five Points mural keeps diversity alive

Created to remind people of the 5 Points community’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, a new mural is also a response to…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida State College at Jacksonville President John Avendano on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at FSCJ Cecil Center. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
August 31, 2026

Florida awards $12M to FSCJ and Cecil Spaceport for aerospace and maritime training

The $7 million for FSCJ and $5 million for Cecil Spaceport are part of $23 million in job growth grants.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment”
Duval GOP Chair Charles "Scooter" Barr speaks at a party meeting in July 2026. | Duval GOP via Facebook
August 30, 2026

OPINION | Conservative crackup? Decision time for Duval GOP after election embarrassment

Strong rumors hold that a certain Young Republican will try to bring new blood to local GOP party leadership, whose…

By A.G. Gancarski

Featured image for “Cleveland Ferguson III named interim JTA CEO”
JTA Chief Administrative Officer Cleveland Ferguson III has been named interim CEO. | JTA
August 27, 2026

Cleveland Ferguson III named interim JTA CEO

JTA’s second-in-command assumes the interim CEO spot as search kicks off to replace departing head Nat Ford.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras”
Jacksonville City Council member Jimmy Peluso at a Duval County School Board meeting in December. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 26, 2026

Jacksonville council member Peluso to push for new rules on Flock-style cameras

Jimmy Peluso will hold a meeting Friday on his proposal to regulate Flock-style surveillance technology.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook”
FlashVote is a platform used in more than 30 states. | FlashVote
August 25, 2026

Atlantic Beach wants you to take a FlashVote survey instead of ranting on Facebook

The FlashVote platform is aimed at residents who can’t attend city meetings, with quick, anonymous surveys. Jacksonville and Atlantic Beaches…

By Simone Endress

Featured image for “Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County”
Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder. | File photo, Jacksonville Today
August 20, 2026

Analysis | What a Democratic win on Jax City Council means for Duval County

Democratic Candidate Mone Holder flipped an At-Large Jacksonville City Council seat held by a Republican for seven years.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November”
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
August 20, 2026

After major primary upsets, Florida Democrats prepare for uphill battle in November

Democratic leaders pledge to flip political power in Florida after 30 years of Republican governance.…

By Joshua Ceballos - WLRN

Featured image for “Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August”
Duval County Democratic Party Chair Millie Leeds, (center) is flanked by Jacksonville City Council member-elect Moné Holder (left) and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, following their victories on primary night, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 18, 2026

Here were the local contests decided outright on Election Day in August

From school board to judges and state Legislature, here were the winners on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 18.…

By Jacksonville Today

Featured image for “See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices”
August 18, 2026

See how Northeast Florida voted for state and federal offices

Live results from Tuesday’s primary election for Congress, governor, the Florida Legislature and others.…

By Jacksonville Today

Featured image for “Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff”
Darnell Smith, chief of staff for Mayor Donna Deegan, speaks during the city of Jacksonville's Black History Month celebration at City Hall on Feb, 27, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 10, 2026

Jax mayor taps retired Florida Blue executive to return as chief of staff

Darnell Smith is returning as chief of staff as Mayor Donna Deegan enters the final year of her first term.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’”
Rep. Byron Donalds is three-term member of Congress who is a Republican gubernatorial candidate. He spoke with "First Coast Connect" host Anne Schindler on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 3, 2026

Q&A | Rep. Byron Donalds takes questions on ‘First Coast Connect’

The Republican gubernatorial candidate discusses campaign finance, data centers, the environment and more.…

By Jacksonville Today

Featured image for “JEA may have under-collected water capacity fees by $55M, auditors say”
JEA headquarters is at 225 N. Pearl St. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 27, 2026

JEA may have under-collected water capacity fees by $55M, auditors say

JEA officials and Jacksonville City Council auditors are working to determine if any of the unbilled fees can be recouped.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “Scott Wilson, past City Council president, to challenge Kevin Carrico in election”
Then-Jacksonville City Council President Scott Wilson speaks at a news conference Jan. 20, 2020. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Daily Record
July 24, 2026

Scott Wilson, past City Council president, to challenge Kevin Carrico in election

Scott Wilson retired from the Downtown Investment Authority and filed paperwork to run in City Council District 4.…

By Mike Mendenhall

Featured image for “St. Johns County asks governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes”
St. Johns County Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst are criminally charged in connection with a fake voter guide scheme in 2024. | St. Johns County
July 22, 2026

St. Johns County asks governor to remove commissioners charged with crimes

Three members of the St. Johns County Commission took a no-confidence vote against their peers.…

By Noah Hertz

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
July 20, 2026

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
July 20, 2026

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
July 20, 2026

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
July 20, 2026

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 “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.
July 20, 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

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