Local

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, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

After Friday’s announcement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry that further legislation expanding the Human Rights Ordinance wouldn’t be “prudent,” a surprising thing to media observers was the seeming cover provided Curry by activists on the other side. Part of that cover was Curry actually taking a material step forward in offering employment protections to city employees […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 4, 2016

Republican Congressional District 18 candidate Rebecca Negron launches a new campaign ad Thursday highlighting her conservative bona fides, her campaign said. “Washington is out of touch, and I think it is high-time that we send Washington a message,” Negron said. “I’ve been working in the Treasure Coast community for 40 years, supporting churches and helping […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 3, 2016

A third Democrat entered the race to take over for termed-out Democratic Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda last week, setting up another obstacle for former Rep. Loranne Ausley. Joshua Johnson entered the race on Jan. 29, and joins Ausley and Arnitta Jane Grice-Walker in pursuit of the Democratic nomination in the left-leaning District 9 seat. Ausley, who held the Leon […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

Ahead of the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, anti-HRO activists from Florida Family Policy Council planned a press conference ahead of the event. One problem, however: facilities problems. With rain forecast for Jacksonville for Thursday afternoon, a press conference in Hemming Park was out of the question. The question, from there was a presser […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

Melissa RossFebruary 3, 2016

The city of Jacksonville is no longer taking part in the Rockefeller Foundation’s “100 Resilient Cities” Initiative. The program awards cities around the world $1 million grants to address issues such as sea level rise and extreme weather. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown applied for the grant and received it, but under the Lenny Curry […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2016

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House Democratic hopeful Lisa Montelione is bashing House District 60 Republican Shawn Harrison for his vote on an abortion rights bill Tuesday. Harrison was one of eight Republicans on the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee voting in support of a bill that would effectively cut off state funding for women’s health organizations such as Planned Parenthood […]

Local

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry stay on message during Jacksonville event

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

Cold war developing between anti-HRO Jax clergymen and Lenny Curry

New Rebecca Negron CD 18 ad sends Washington a message

3rd Democrat enters HD 9 race for 2016

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

Anti-HRO presser hits scheduling snag

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

Jacksonville drops out of “100 Resilient Cities” initiative

Lisa Montelione blasts Shawn Harrison on abortion bill