Local

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Charles Cofer, running to unseat fellow Republican Matt Shirk as 4th Circuit Public Defender, raised nearly $21,000 in January. Cofer’s cash on hand is just under $27,000 He spent $5,758 in January, and has spent $8,765 against $28,285 raised and a $7,000 personal loan. Most of his money has come from the Jacksonville legal community, with […]

Melissa RossFebruary 5, 2016

Amid all the clergy news conferences and parliamentary maneuvers, the battle over Jacksonville’s HRO is also being fought via news release. The latest comes from the Jacksonville Civic Council, a high-powered group of mostly Republican CEOs. Chairman Ed Burr‘s missive addressing Mayor Lenny Curry and Council President Greg Anderson begins by reiterating that the Civic […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

At 4 p.m. Monday the second of three state Senate committees (Finance and Tax) will consider the “discretionary sales surtax” bill that Jacksonville’s financial future has become predicated upon. Passage of the bill to extend the Better Jacksonville Plan’s half-cent sales tax as far out as 2060 (from a current sunset date of 2030), would […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Though Raymond Johnson‘s political endeavors of late about been targeted against Jacksonville HRO expansion, he also is dipping his toes into the presidential race. Johnson’s Biblical Concepts Ministries is offering a lecture series: “Why Christians should not vote for Donald Trump in the Republican Primary.” “BCM wants to be sure evangelicals are biblically informed and ready to fulfill […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

The big news in Jacksonville: The prime suspect in the death of Lonzie Barton, Ruben Ebron, preparing to enter a plea in the death of Lonzie Barton. State Attorney candidate Wes White is outraged. “Ruben Ebron is scheduled to appear before a judge at 8:30 a.m. When he does, the judge may decide whether to accept or reject […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 4, 2016

What do school grades really mean this year? It’s a question I’ve been asked whenever I meet parents, employees, and attend community events. The way the state is calculating school grades for the 2014-2015 school year only, is very different than it has been in years past, or will be in future years. The state has always touted […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

The first of three meetings of the Jacksonville City Council Committee of the Whole on two Human Rights Ordinance expansion bills had all the drama you could want. Those paying attention would have noted that the real drama, the procedural drama, was set up hours ahead of this meeting. Even before the three hour meeting […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

One of the more surprisingly compelling political stories in Jacksonville in the second half of 2015: the chaos at the local utility, JEA. You saw the mayor, Lenny Curry, sending emails to top staff members asking “what the hell is going on” with the board of directors. You saw board members blasting media for covering its […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

In Jacksonville Thursday morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Lenny Curry took questions from the media after a job-creation event at Kaman Industries. Questions were asked regarding the Governor’s commitment to STEM Programs, Curry’s position on HRO expansion, and whether Curry or Scott were ready to endorse for president. Most observers assume that Scott may back Donald […]

Scott PowersFebruary 4, 2016

The 3200 block of University Boulevard in east Orange County has become a battleground over U.S. support for Israel, fought with billboards. This week a pro-Israel group called StandWithUs erected a billboard declaring, “The U.S.-Israel Relationship Creates Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs In America,” countering a billboard that went up in December, a half-block farther west, […]

Local
Donald Trump, Kamala Harris at presidential debate. Image via AP

Charles Cofer raises $20K in January

Jax Civic Council contends “the place we call home should welcome all”

Lenny Curry pension tax proposal hits 2nd Senate committee Monday

Raymond Johnson: Christians shouldn’t vote for Donald Trump

Wes White slams Ruben Ebron plea deal in Lonzie Barton murder

Jeff Eakins: School grades just one part of whole education picture

Lori Boyer’s withdrawal motion highlights Jax HRO Committee of the Whole

After bad press and board flux, JEA on path to stability again

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry stay on message during Jacksonville event

Billboards now battling in Orlando over U.S.-Israel support