Local

Ryan RayDecember 2, 2015

Recording a fundraising haul that could mark a turning point in the race for a Sarasota-based swing seat, Democrat Edward James took in $81,150 during the November reporting period, according to just-filed finance data. The windfall takes James to $166,663 raised overall, with $114,400 of that coming from a political committee supporting James called New Direction Florida. James […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2015

Fourth Circuit public defender Matt Shirk has been under fire so long it’s hard to remember when he wasn’t. A shower scandal will do that to you. He has yet to file for re-election, and he dodged one significant challenge when Mike Weinstein took a job in the Lenny Curry administration. Even after Weinstein demurred, Shirk still hedged […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2015

Can Jacksonville’s City Council be bought? When it comes to the Human Rights Ordinance, at least one out-of-state outfit thinks so. As first reported by WJXT, a Dallas outfit called Newstarter.com posits a provocative proposition: “Millionaires buy politicians. Now the PEOPLE can too! Buy City Council votes to pass the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville,” says […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

Orlando’s hope of having the world’s tallest roller coaster is one step closer to becoming reality. Orange County’s board of commissioners granted zoning approval Tuesday night for the $500 million Skyplex Orlando project. The unanimous vote means that developer Joshua Wallack and his family can go forward with plans to build the 570-foot “Skyscraper” coaster […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2015

After Land Use and Zoning, four Jacksonville City Council committees have deliberated the $90 million package of stadium improvements for EverBank Field. And four have approved it, despite the best efforts of dissident Councilman Danny Becton. On Tuesday evening, Land Use and Zoning was the final committee hurdle to be cleared for the bill, which commits […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2015

Promises made; promises kept. On Tuesday afternoon, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry launched Jax Journey 2.0, and on hand were most of Jacksonville’s City Council members, along with many members of the mayor’s senior staff, former Sheriff John Rutherford, and Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. The initiative, a continuation of the original Jacksonville Journey, launched during the John Peyton administration, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 1, 2015

Women in Florida can now register for the state’s first of its kind professional women’s conference. The two-day event aimed at empowering women in various professions features a number of respected professionals and thought leaders, exhibits, networking opportunities, and panel discussions. The conference runs this spring on May 19 and 20. A pre-conference reception is scheduled […]

Bill RuftyDecember 1, 2015

J.C. Martin, a Republican candidate for the Polk County Commission District 3 seat, knows the value of hard work for his party and is learning the favors that can be stored up by it. He has an all-star cast of Republicans backing him for his Dec. 14 fundraiser including a personal appearance by Lt. Gov. […]

Melissa RossDecember 1, 2015

For a couple of years now, Jacksonville megadeveloper Peter Rummell would cringe a bit when people would ask what was up “with that new development of yours, Healthy Town.” “That’s not going to be the name!” he’d say. Now, “Healthy Town” is out and “The District” is in. Actually, the planned community on Jacksonville’s Southbank will […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2015

Rules, the third Jacksonville City Council committee deliberating the bill, approved the EverBank Field amphitheater package on Tuesday afternoon without even a moment of committee discussion. The bill allocates $90 million for stadium improvements, including a new amphitheater, a covered practice field, and other enhancements to the Sports Complex. With no discussion at all, Rules […]

Local

Edward James raises $81,150 for November in Sarasota House race

Charles Cofer says Matt Shirk is “all icing and no cake”

Can Jacksonville’s City Council be bought?

Board approves plan for world’s tallest coaster in Orlando

Tensions flare as Jax land use and zoning panel OKs $90M stadium deal 5-1

Lenny Curry launches Jax Journey 2.0

Florida conference to boost women’s professional stature coming to Tampa

J.C. Martin calls in chips for Polk County Commission District 3 race

Jacksonville developer Peter Rummell debuts “The District”

With no discussion, Jax Rules Committee greenlights Jags stadium improvements