Local

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2015

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder says he will give up his local office to become a full-time candidate for the Florida House District 4 seat. Ponder originally planned to step down in June, which would have put the election for his successor on the August ballot. However, he will leave his job Jan. 15 instead. The […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced on Friday the appointment of Jacksonville Assistant State Attorney John Guy and Orange Park attorney Steven Whittington to the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. Guy, a University of Florida alum, has served as Assistant State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit since 1993; he fills a vacancy created by the resignation of […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

In a Christmas email to city employees, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry led off with a quote from “Silent” Calvin Coolidge. “Christmas is not a time, nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” From there, Curry went on to […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

[Updated with comment from Matt Shirk‘s office] The question on the minds of Jacksonville political watchers: will Matt Shirk run for re-election as the 4th Circuit Public Defender? Though Shirk has yet to file for the office, Sam Shiver of the Public Defender’s office confirmed to FloridaPolitics.com on Friday that Shirk is in fact running. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

In the wake of the Community Conversations on the Human Rights Ordinance, Lenny Curry has been in the process of meeting with the business community and the faith community. The latter conclave between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and local ministers on Friday morning was marked as a “private meeting” on Curry’s public schedule. But it dealt with […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Florida job numbers have been a primary talking point of Gov. Rick Scott, whose office announced adding a million jobs since 2010. Jacksonville has been no exception to the rule, with jobs being added throughout the period, and 16,000 of them over the year in November. Scott said, “I am proud to announce that […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Board of Trustees selected Willard Payne as its fifth member on Friday during its final meeting of 2015. Larry Schmitt nominated, noting his experience with the Jax Chamber, the Port Authority, and other boards. “I think his experience and expertise in business dealings would make him a good […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

On the heels of Bill Gulliford’s bill pushing for an HRO expansion referendum, Councilman Tommy Hazouri filed a bill on Thursday to expand the HRO to cover the LGBT community. The Hazouri bill would expand equal protections under the law, including housing and employment, as well as public accommodations, to people regardless of sexual orientation (real or […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

One of the principal opponents of the Jacksonville HRO expansion: Gene Youngblood of the First Conservative Baptist Church. Youngblood, who posts provocative, politically messaged signs in front of his church, signs routinely lambasting Muslims, homosexuals, and others who run afoul of his interpretation of the Good Book, had another this week. “Did Jacksonville City Council members […]

Local
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder to give up seat for HD 4 run

Rick Scott taps 2 Jacksonville area lawyers for 4th Circuit judgeships

Lenny Curry channels Calvin Coolidge in Xmas message

Confirmed: Matt Shirk is running for re-election

Jax ministers talk HRO referendum with Mayor Lenny Curry

Jacksonville adds 16,000 jobs over last year

Willard Payne voted onto Jax police, fire pension fund board

Email insights: Dream Defenders host Miami event with Angela Davis

Tommy Hazouri files all-inclusive HRO expansion bill

Gene Youngblood dodges questions about latest inflammatory anti-HRO sign