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A.G. GancarskiOctober 31, 2017

One of the signature legislative pushes of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s administration — the Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) — was passed by the City Council this month. The KHA, a new seven-person board that will replace the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and the Jacksonville Journey, will command a roughly $35 million budget for services the mayor calls “at-hope kids,” […]

Peter SchorschOctober 31, 2017

Republican state Rep. Jason Fischer is holding a fundraiser far away from his Jacksonville-area district Nov. 2, and the invitation promises a special appearance from former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark “Super” Duper. While Duper is the headliner, Fischer’s host committee includes more than a few movers and shakers in South Florida politics, among them […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 31, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam attributes his fondness for early starts to being a farmer. Reporters from the city may be more likely to attribute it to sadism — especially when they drive from Jacksonville before sunrise for an 8 a.m. campaign event in Clay County. Whatever the motivation, Putnam has shown a propensity for his ‘Up […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott returned to Jacksonville Monday afternoon to highlight his new budget’s environmental proposals at the Jacksonville Zoo. Scott’s final budget sees a boost in environmental funding, up to $1.7 billion: $220 million over the current year’s levels. The budget proposal has something for most constituencies: $50 million for “the best state parks system in […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2017

We reported weeks back on concerns with Whitefish Holdings assuming the massive task of reconstructing Puerto Rico’s storm-ravaged power grid. Florida Politics reportage raised serious questions about the “wisdom of the decision by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) — following the guidance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) — to trust the two-employee […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2017

In the wake of Hurricane Irma last month, state Rep. Kim Daniels distinguished herself by asserting that “prophets” saw the storm coming. “Nothing happens except God reveal it to prophets first,” the Jacksonville Democrat observed as the death-dealing superstorm enveloped the peninsula. God’s revelation apparently has limits, however, and those limits extend to a property owned by […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2017

An analysis from Bloomberg released Friday asserts that Jacksonville has the highest fixed cost ratio (31.6 percent) of any city with over 250,000 residents. This analysis is sharply disputed by the administration of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, however, which claims that Bloomberg is using old data that doesn’t take into account pension reform. “When you measure those […]

Phil AmmannOctober 27, 2017

When it comes to statewide races in 2018, does Northeast Florida have a dog in the hunt? That’s a matter of interpretation. One of our big scoops this week — Congressman Ron DeSantis (insiders affirm) is ramping up for a possible run for Florida governor. DeSantis’ wife is on local television; he represents a district […]

Staff ReportsOctober 27, 2017

Two Republican Senators from Northeast Florida, Fleming Island’s Rob Bradley and Fernandina Beach’s Aaron Bean, brought home some hardware this week in the form of awards. On the strength of his SB 10, Bradley won Audubon’s Champion of the Everglades Award. “I am extremely honored to be recognized by Audubon Florida,” said Sen. Bradley in a press release. “The […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2017

“The best is yet to come for Duval — you will see my name on the ballot.” Multiple sources have confirmed that former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown told a crowd of Democrats Wednesday evening that he has at least one more campaign in him. And one source confirms the quote above from the meeting of the […]

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Brilliant thoughts and initiatives: leading the way with technological innovation and startup success

Lenny Curry’s ‘Kids Hope’ vision begins to take shape

Dolphins legend Mark Duper to make appearance at Jason Fischer fundraiser

Adam Putnam serves up comfort food to Clay Republicans

Rick Scott trumpets ‘historic funding’ for environment in next budget

JEA still restoring Puerto Rico power, despite Whitefish contract cancellation

Kim Daniels ministry invokes Irma to stave off foreclosure

Is Jacksonville hamstrung by fixed costs? City disagrees with Bloomberg analysis

Jacksonville Bold for 10.27.17 — Looking toward 2018

Rob Bradley, Aaron Bean win awards

Alvin Brown prepares to primary Al Lawson for U.S. House seat