Reporting on local and state politics, elections, legislation, and the leaders shaping policy in Jacksonville and Florida.
Featured image for “Two JEA board positions on hold during investigations”
Chris Miller, chair of Jacksonville City Council's Rules Committee, leads a meeting Monday, April 6, 2026. | City of Jacksonville.
April 6, 2026

Two JEA board positions on hold during investigations

Chris Miller, chair of City Council’s Rules Committee, says he wants more clarity from the investigations before proceeding.…

Featured image for “Palm Beach airport will be renamed for Donald Trump”
Air Force One with President Donald Trump on board departs from Palm Beach International Airport on April 6, 2025. | Alex Brandon, AP file
March 31, 2026

Palm Beach airport will be renamed for Donald Trump

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that also prevents local governments from renaming several airports, including Jacksonville’s.…

Featured image for “Florida attorney general warns NFL to scrap ‘Rooney Rule’”
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, center, applauds linebackers Kyle Van Noy (53) Jerome Baker (55) and Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) for their work in forcing a fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a contest Sept. 24, 2020, at TIAA Bank Field. The Dolphins won 31-13. (Photo by Will Brown)
March 26, 2026

Florida attorney general warns NFL to scrap ‘Rooney Rule’

The Rooney Rule encourages teams to hire nonwhite coaches. Attorney General James Uthmeier says it’s discriminatory.…

Featured image for “Will DeSantis run for president again? He says ‘we’ll see’”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump visited and toured the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in July.
March 25, 2026

Will DeSantis run for president again? He says ‘we’ll see’

After his loss in 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis is leaving the door open for another White House bid.…

Featured image for “Former JEA exec: Water fees have been an issue for years”
Former JEA Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson testifies in front of the Jacksonville City Council's Special Investigatory Committee on JEA on March 23, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
March 23, 2026

Former JEA exec: Water fees have been an issue for years

Some city officials see the City Council’s probe into JEA’s capacity fee and personnel issues as political overreach.…

Featured image for “Florida bill eases Cuba restrictions — if leaders change”
A man rides a tricycle with his leashed dog running alongside him during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Monday, March 16, 2026.
March 19, 2026

Florida bill eases Cuba restrictions — if leaders change

Lawmakers passed a bill that could increase business with Cuba if the island gets a new government.…

Featured image for “City Council panel seeks testimony from ex-JEA lawyer”
City Council member Ron Salem speaks to news reporters after a meeting Feb. 3, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
March 18, 2026

City Council panel seeks testimony from ex-JEA lawyer

JEA says it will conduct its own independent investigation of workplace culture and alleged racism.…

Featured image for “Fernandina commissioners fight recall drive over parking”
One of the new signs in downtown Fernandina Beach alerts drivers to the paid parking system now in place. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 18, 2026

Fernandina commissioners fight recall drive over parking

A recall drive targets Commissioners Tim Poynter and Genece Minshew for their support of paid parking.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers pass bill to round cash charges to nearest nickel”
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has stopped making pennies. | tethysimagingllc, AdobeStock
March 18, 2026

Lawmakers pass bill to round cash charges to nearest nickel

The nearest-nickel bill will take effect if and when Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it.…

Featured image for “Bill to restore Ocklawaha River dies in Legislature”
The Rodman Dam on the Ocklawaha River near Palatka.
March 16, 2026

Bill to restore Ocklawaha River dies in Legislature

The Florida House approved the Ocklawaha River cleanup, but the bill did not advance in the Senate.…

Featured image for “City Council president launches JEA probe over fees, workplace complaints”
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico hold a news conference with Council members Ron Salem and Ju'Coby Pittman on March 11 at City Hall.
March 11, 2026

City Council president launches JEA probe over fees, workplace complaints

The special committee will aid the inspector general in determining if JEA commercial customers owe millions in fees, and will…

Featured image for “Florida House passes reforms on homeowners associations”
Florida has nearly 49,000 HOAs covering about 9.6 million residents, according to a recent national report on the topic by a property management trade organization.
March 9, 2026

Florida House passes reforms on homeowners associations

The legislation gives homeowners more tools to resolve disputes — and even dissolve their HOAs.…

Featured image for “Pardoned Capitol rioter gets prison for molesting children”
This image from video provided by the Department of Justice from police-worm body camera shows Andrew Paul Johnson on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. | Department of Justice via AP
March 6, 2026

Pardoned Capitol rioter gets prison for molesting children

Andrew Paul Johnson, a Florida handyman, is among several pardoned rioters who have been charged with new crimes.…

Featured image for “Florida’s anti-DEI legislation irks local governments”
Debra Joshua was among the scores of people who participated in the 45th Martin Luther King Jr. Grand Parade through Downtown Jacksonville on Jan. 19, 2026. Joshua says equity is an ideal that is needed more in 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 4, 2026

Florida’s anti-DEI legislation irks local governments

Bills filed by Rep. Dean Black and Sen. Clay Yarborough would prohibit funding for DEI efforts.…

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
February 26, 2026

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.”…

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
February 26, 2026

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.…

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
February 26, 2026

House passes sweeping changes on voter eligibility

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

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.…

Featured image for “Florida private schools sue Step Up for Students over voucher payout problems”
Jacksonville Attorney Lamonte Carter and iCity Christian School Executive Director Terrie Hairston announce a group of private schools' lawsuit against Step Up For Students on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | News4Jax
February 22, 2026

Florida private schools sue Step Up for Students over voucher payout problems

Private school owners filed suit against Step Up for Students, the Jacksonville company in charge of handling half a million…

Featured image for “Mayor alleges ‘smear campaign’ against JEA chief”
JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, left, and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan speak at a news conference Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
February 20, 2026

Mayor alleges ‘smear campaign’ against JEA chief

Mayor Donna Deegan says CEO Vickie Cavey is under attack after ending a JEA contract with a politically connected firm.…

Featured image for “House proposes guardrails on DeSantis emergency fund”
Rep. Philip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts Jr. presented the emergency fund guardrails bill. Here he speaks to the media after a committee meeting Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
February 17, 2026

House proposes guardrails on DeSantis emergency fund

A House bill would limit how the governor can use an emergency fund originally intended for natural disasters.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail”
St. Johns County Public Works Director Greg Caldwell talks to residents about the controversial planned path along Shore Drive in St. Augustine South. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
February 12, 2026

St. Johns County fields feedback on Shore Drive trail

County officials say a decision will come soon on the future of the controversial Shore Drive project.…

Featured image for “Flamingo floated again as Florida’s state bird”
Caribbean flamingos walk around their enclosure at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Jacksonville on Feb. 2, 2026. Legislators are considering the flamingo to replace the mockingbird as Florida’s state bird for the third year in a row. | Kaley Mantz, Fresh Take Florida
February 12, 2026

Flamingo floated again as Florida’s state bird

The Legislature has considered anointing the flamingo as the state bird for several years. Opposition seems less this year.…

Featured image for “Local governments could be forced to end DEI programs”
Floor votes are scheduled Tuesday on a proposal to cut property taxes. | Douglas Soule, WUSF
February 12, 2026

Local governments could be forced to end DEI programs

A bill moving through the Legislature would prohibit municipalities from funding or supporting DEI.…