Jax

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

United States Rep. Al Lawson announced Tuesday his appointment to the Agriculture Committee, a key assignment for his largely rural North Florida district. “Agriculture is a more than $120 billion industry in Florida and one of the strongest pillars of our state’s economy supporting more than 2 million jobs,” said Lawson. “I am pleased to serve on […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

An “equal opportunity” bill introduced to the Jacksonville City Council by Garrett Dennis picked up momentum Tuesday, with a half dozen councilmembers and stakeholders attending a public notice meeting to discuss it. Dennis framed this bill as an attempt to ensure city agencies and independent authorities to “cast a broader net” in their hiring process. “This […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

At Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, expect opponents of LGBT rights to use the following talking points against HRO expansion. While advocates of expanding the Human Rights Ordinance believe that they have the votes to pass the third version of the bill, opponents see it as more of the same … and intend to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council starts off 2017 with an agenda light on controversial legislation, which presumably gives the body more time for HRO-related public comment. That said, the agenda Tuesday evening in Council Chambers is highlighted by notable board nominees and local bills to be pushed in Tallahassee. **** One interesting moment that likely will […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2017

The year 2017 has started off with people trying to pressure Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry into positions he thus far has resisted. Social liberals want the mayor to offer the kind of full-throated support of expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance that thus far has proven elusive. And the city’s unions, especially police and fire, want […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2017

Nearly five years have passed since the first attempt to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This time, there is reason for optimism. For starters, we hear that Shad Khan — owner of the Jaguars, as you may recall — has “made some calls.” Khan is worried that the amphitheater may have a hard time drawing […]

Associated PressJanuary 7, 2017

President Barack Obama plans a quick trip to Florida on Saturday to attend the wedding of a longtime aide who wears several hats. Marvin Nicholson is the White House trip director and personal aide to the president. He’s also one of Obama’s most frequent golf partners. Nicholson and his fiancee, Helen Pajcic, are tying the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 7, 2017

Jacksonville will kick off Black History Month on February 1 with an event honoring African-American golfers at the Ritz Theater in Lavilla. Sports and Entertainment head Dave Herrell noted in an internal email that his department is “working with the World Golf Hall of Fame, SMG and JAXSPORTS on a collaborative Black History Month event at the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2017

One of the major talking points of Jacksonville leaders and stakeholders: the need for a central receiving facility for those with mental issues. However, thus far there has been more talk than action in terms of getting the $7.5 million needed as a match to the $15 million of state funds. Stakeholders are worried that […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2017

President Barack Obama is taking time away from wrapping his term up to visit Jacksonville for a staffer’s wedding Saturday. He has no public events slated, and no media availability … almost as if he’d exhausted his quota of such in the Sunshine State during the presidential campaign. President Obama arrives at Jacksonville International Airport at […]

Jax

Al Lawson appointed to Agriculture committee

Jacksonville equal opportunity ordinance picks up momentum

Jacksonville HRO expansion opponents preview talking points, malign city council president

Jacksonville City Council to push local bills, notable board nominees Tuesday

Lenny Curry previews 2017 agenda at Meninak meeting

Jacksonville Bold for 1.7.17 — A time for choosing

Obama to attend aide’s wedding Saturday in Florida

African-American golfers to be celebrated at Jacksonville black history event

Jacksonville stakeholders fret over lack of match money for central receiving facility

President Obama in Jacksonville Saturday, but not for the public