Melissa Ross, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossDecember 22, 2015

A Jacksonville woman faces up to five years in federal prison after federal authorities say she placed a Confederate flag on a black co-worker’s desk, then lied about it. The incident occurred just one week after a racially motivated massacre that killed nine people at an historically African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina. U.S Attorney […]

Melissa RossDecember 21, 2015

The nonprofit conservation organization the North Florida Land Trust has said in an email to supporters and media outlets that it has closed on “the biggest land purchase in NFLT’s 16-year history.” The parcel is 2,551 acres along the Nassau River. It was the largest piece of unprotected land in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic […]

Melissa RossDecember 18, 2015

The Florida-based social justice group the Dream Defenders is ringing in the holidays with a Miami event at Barry University featuring noted activist, author and professor Angela Davis. In an email to supporters and media outlets, the group is touting the event, calling it “America’s Most (Un) Wanted Fight Back: Ending Criminalization and the Prison […]

Melissa RossDecember 17, 2015

It’s nearly a year to go till Election Day, but State Attorney Angela Corey is messaging hard and pushing back against criticism that she’s been too punitive a prosecutor, especially when it comes to juvenile offenders. Corey presented on the concept of “smart justice” at Monday’s Justice Summit in Sarasota. The three-day event was organized by the […]

Melissa RossDecember 16, 2015

Following on the heels of Tuesday’s third, packed and final “community conversation” on expanding Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance to cover LGBT residents from discrimination, Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford has emailed media outlets saying he’s filed the same ordinance that was voted on in 2012 “with one addition — a provision for a referendum by […]

Melissa RossDecember 15, 2015

November fundraising totals in the race for Nassau County Superintendent of Schools reveal an interesting matchup between the two main candidates in the race: GOP state Rep. Janet Adkins of Fernandina Beach and Nassau School Board member Kathy Knight Burns, also a Republican. Burns had a healthy November, out-raising Adkins at $14,820. Adkins’ month comes in […]

Melissa RossDecember 14, 2015

Ahead of a Tuesday deadline, the White House is rolling out an Obamacare enrollment push this week, touting a sign-up contest and messaging hard with interviews and e-blasts. “There are less than two days remaining for consumers to sign up for coverage that starts on January 1 through HealthCare.gov and we are seeing unprecedented demand,” […]

Melissa RossDecember 7, 2015

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown is pursuing a federal lawsuit, Brown v. Detzner, in the wake of the Florida Supreme Court’s approval of a redrawn congressional map for the state. Brown, along with the Congressional Black Caucus, argue that the change means “substantial retrogression” for African-American communities, along with significant dilution of the black vote in […]

Melissa RossDecember 4, 2015

The biggest counterterrorism challenge of our time is the “lone wolf” who becomes radicalized, Sen. Bill Nelson said Friday. Nelson spoke about the San Bernardino mass shooting with Jacksonville reporters and also talked about legislation he’s introduced to increase security at the nation’s airports. “The problem is not Syrian refugees,” he said. “It takes up to two […]

Melissa RossDecember 3, 2015

Most presidential campaign “bundlers” in Jacksonville tend to raise major ducats for the GOP. But last night, the heavy lifting was being done for the Democratic frontrunner – Hillary Clinton. North Florida philanthropist Sallyn Pajcic hosted about 200 attendees at her San Pablo area home at a private event for the former Secretary of State. […]

Melissa Ross
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Army Corps of Engineers employee in Jax faces prison in Confederate flag incident

Email insights: North Florida Land Trust makes its biggest land buy ever

Email insights: Dream Defenders host Miami event with Angela Davis

Angela Corey talks “smart justice”

Email insights: Jax City Council’s Bill Gulliford calls for HRO referendum

November’s Nassau superintendent contest money race competitive

Email insights: “Unprecedented demand” for coverage through HealthCare.gov

Corrine Brown’s federal lawsuit “has very little chance of succeeding”

Bill Nelson: “Lone wolf” attacks now America’s terrorism challenge

Jax Dems raise $200K for Hillary Clinton at private event