November 8, 2023
Mayor Donna Deegan says she won’t comply with requests to withdraw a lobbying contract awarded without seeking bids.…
Reporting on local and state politics, elections, legislation, and the leaders shaping policy in Jacksonville and Florida.
October 31, 2023
When DeSantis says ‘woke,’ some in Jacksonville hear ‘Black’
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigns for president on a platform of “anti-wokeness,” pastors and civil rights activists in Jacksonville…
October 31, 2023
#AskJAXTDY l How did Northeast Florida’s reps vote for House speaker?
A reader asked us which Northeast Florida Representatives voted for new House Speaker Mike Johnson.…
October 26, 2023
Michael Fackler recommended as Jacksonville’s top attorney
The General Counsel Qualification Review Committee endorsed Fackler’s hiring as general counsel. City Council still must approve the appointment.…
October 23, 2023
OPINION | In defense of Ron Salem
Ron Salem, a Republican of Palestinian descent, is taking hits for his no vote on a City Council resolution offering…
October 18, 2023
OPINION | ‘Both sides’ now?
The reaction of some local politicians on Israel was contradictory at best and, at worst, incomprehensibly tone-deaf. …
October 5, 2023
OPINION | Who drew first blood? A Jax election retrospective
Jacksonville’s recent local elections were the nastiest in our city’s history. These campaigns slung first mud.…
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.…
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.…
August 29, 2023
Jacksonville demonstrators decry white supremacy, point fingers at DeSantis
A rally in James Weldon Johnson Park changed into a demonstration against white supremacy after Saturday’s racist shooting.…
August 28, 2023
Dollar General shooting aligns with anniversary of racist violence of Ax Handle Saturday
Sunday’s vigils for the racially motivated shooting occurred on the 63rd anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday.…
August 27, 2023
Jacksonville labor leaders, March on Washington attendee reflect, 60 years on
Jacksonville’s own A. Philip Randolph’s activism and mastery of mobilization helped make the March on Washington a reality.…
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.…
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…
August 22, 2023
OPINION | No sleep till Milwaukee: A Republican presidential debate preview
Ron DeSantis must show the American people the aggressiveness and ability to confound his opponents that elevated his national profile.…
August 21, 2023
OPINION | Jacksonville isn’t Ron DeSantis’ town anymore
What’s clear is that Ron DeSantis has taken his eye off Jacksonville — like the rest of the state — and…
August 10, 2023
Mayor announces seven more appointments, including Randy DeFoor as general counsel
Mayor Donna Deegan said she’s building a “rockstar team of difference-makers and innovators and collaborators.”…
August 9, 2023
OPINION | Al Ferraro’s appointment deserves scrutiny
What makes Mayor Deegan’s appointment of Al Ferraro to lead the city’s Neighborhoods Department, so baffling.…
July 28, 2023
Disagreement blows up between Democratic Reps. Daniels and Nixon
Rep. Kimberly Daniels called a news conference to accuse Rep. Angie Nixon of defamation. Nixon called the discord “just pettiness.”…
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…
June 6, 2023
Proposal for city to buy Brentwood liquor store is withdrawn
Legislation would have had the city buy the property using dollars earmarked for removing Confederate monuments.…
May 16, 2023
OPINION | ‘Love over fear’: An epilogue for the 2023 election
Donna Deegan met the negativity from Daniel Davis’ campaign with a positive vision, managing to rebuff insipid and dishonest attacks.…
May 15, 2023
OPINION | The campaign we deserved? Looking back on the 2023 Jax mayor election
What the Donna Deegan vs. Daniel Davis’ race says about Jacksonville voters and what kind of politics people here really…
April 19, 2023
OPINION | The body is the crime scene
Recent legislative measures target the very existence of marginalized groups.…