Local

Melissa RossNovember 30, 2015

Back in 2012, he was one of a chorus of evangelical pastors in North Florida speaking out against updating Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance to cover LGBT citizens from discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodations. But now, the Reverend R.L. Gundy has changed his mind. “There’s no conflict between your Biblical stance and the issue. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2015

Lisa Montelione said it was “excruciatingly hard” to decide to give up her Tampa City Council seat next year, but that’s what will happen now that she’s decided to run for the Florida Legislature in 2016. She’ll take on fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary next August, with the winner to […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 30, 2015

In the wake of last week’s piece about Republican 4th Circuit State Attorney candidate Wes White hiring two folks on opposite sides of the debate on Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance Expansion to collect petitions, White wants to set the record straight. Regarding one petition collector, Raymond Johnson, who enthusiastically advocates against codifying protections for LGBT people into […]

Peter SchorschNovember 29, 2015

Dozens of Florida cities and counties oppose a plan to give the state control over the oil and gas exploration process known as fracking. The Tallahassee Democrat reported on Saturday that 20 counties and nearly 40 cities in Florida have passed regulations banning fracking. The cities and counties represent about 8 million people or 43 […]

Peter SchorschNovember 28, 2015

Republican presidential candidate front-runner Donald Trump returns to Florida for a campaign rally on Saturday. Trump’s rally will be held at the Robarts Arena in Sarasota, beginning at noon. He last visited Florida last month when he made stops before large crowds in Miami and Jacksonville. The latest statewide poll shows Trump leading with 36 […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 27, 2015

A movement is afoot, as we reported on Tuesday, among certain pastors to push toward a referendum on the Human Rights Ordinance, as opposed to a Council vote. The referendum in Houston managed to undo the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Uncoincidentally, Houston pastors were recently in town talking to Jacksonville counterparts. Is this a serious […]

Melissa RossNovember 26, 2015

After facing intense backlash from a spirited and feisty local food truck community, this week Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Brown withdrew his proposed ordinance that would have placed new restrictions on the popular restaurants on wheels. Brown backed down after the “truckies” showed up to City Council and squawked, loudly, about the move toward stricter […]

Melissa RossNovember 25, 2015

Federal prosecutors say a massive pharmacy fraud settlement in Florida is just the beginning. “Early next year, we’ll start bringing criminal charges against individual doctors,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Mehta says. Mehta says his office thinks the scam began in 2013 when the military health care program Tricare started seeing a big spike in compounded […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 25, 2015

If you’re reading this, you likely have a positive relationship with the Thanksgiving holiday. This should be especially true for the doughty stalwarts of the #JaxPol universe, where seemingly everyone, from the congressional level down to City Council, have tangible things for which they should be grateful. U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, for one, can be grateful […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 25, 2015

In the HD 11 race, Jacksonville Beach Republican Donnie Horner can give thanks for a key endorsement rendered on Tuesday: that of former Senator Steve Wise, who had been chair of the Education Appropriations Committee. In the endorsement statement released by the Horner camp, Wise cites the “conservative principles” of Horner, as well as his “demonstrated commitment […]

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Jennifer Adams. Image via campaign.

Jax pastor R.L. Gundy on HRO switch: “we cannot discriminate”

Lisa Montelione feels confident in HD 63 Democratic primary versus Mike Reedy

Wes White: “Raymond Johnson was hired to collect petitions”

Counties fight fracking push

Donald Trump to campaign in Sarasota on Saturday

Jax Democratic Council members discuss potential HRO referendum

This Thanksgiving, no one is more thankful than Jax food truck owners

More prosecutions, arrests coming in Florida pharmacy fraud scam

Thanksgiving, the #JaxPol edition

Steve Wise endorses Donnie Horner in HD 11