Local

Melissa RossOctober 15, 2015

The natural gas pushback has begun. Hot on the heels of news that another public access compressed natural gas station has opened in North Florida, a new analysis is out suggesting that Florida is one of several states “relying too much on natural gas” rather than turning to renewable energy sources like wind or solar […]

Susan ClaryOctober 15, 2015

Thousands of domestic abuse victims – men, women and children – seek out Central Florida’s Harbor House as a safe haven each year. But the cluster of dilapidated 1976 buildings is not the best place for families in crisis. Orlando Attorney John Morgan and his wife Ultima announced Tuesday they will donate $1 million to […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 15, 2015

A day doesn’t seem to pass lately without JEA, Jacksonville’s public utility monopoly, making the news. This might be ideal, were it not for issues with the board itself. Today’s news item, from Nate Monroe at the Florida Times-Union, involves the resignation of yet another board member, at the request of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon on Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville, local dignitaries gathered for the grand opening and tour of the second public access compressed natural gas facility located at the GATE Convenience Store on Heckscher Drive. Big names in attendance included former mayor John Peyton (whose family owns Gate Petroleum) and state Rep. Lake Ray, who has been […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

There has been just a scintilla of controversy about the board moves made by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, which have included requesting resignations from every member of the JEA Board and appointing replacements for Planning Commission Chair Lisa King and member Joey McKinnon… a gambit which occasioned a fairly epic public comment outcry in Tuesday’s City […]

Drew WilsonOctober 14, 2015

Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon’s House District 29 re-election campaign got a little easier after his only opponent dropped out of the race last week. Libertarian David Leavitt sent a withdrawal letter to the Florida Division of Elections on Oct. 5 and was just recently removed from the 2016 candidate list. Leavitt’s candidacy alone didn’t […]

Bill RuftyOctober 14, 2015

As Judge Terry Lewis’ congressional redistricting recommendations move to the Florida Supreme Court, candidates and would-be candidates along the I-4 corridor continue to assess what may happen, particularly to the 10th Congressional District of Rep. Dan Webster and Rep. Alan Grayson’s 9th Congressional District. Without knowing the boundaries of the district, state Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 14, 2015

Things are going to look a little silly outside of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s Tampa office Wednesday evening as the work daywinds down. Environmental groups and supporters plan to gather at 5 p.m. in life vests and pool floaties to demand that Rubio be a climate leader, not denier. The event is planned in coordination […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

The HD 14 campaign of Leslie Scott Jean-Bart, the granddaughter of Jacksonville trailblazer Mary Singleton, officially kicked off late September. However, the kickoff has yet to translate into the kind of fundraising that might keep other potential candidates, including past and present Jacksonville City Council members, at bay. Jean-Bart’s September haul totaled a mere $1,635, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

Jacksonville’s 400 Unit HUD-funded apartment complex, Eureka Gardens, was one of those things that mysteriously flew below the radar until recently. Even though Jacksonville’s City Council spotlighted the horrific conditions at the complex, going so far as to pass a resolution urging HUD to defund it, the complex’s issues remained. The solutions discussed included adding […]

Local
David Smith. Image via Florida House

Email insights: Florida relies too much on natural gas, says Union of Concerned Scientists

John Morgan pledges $1M for new Central Florida Harbor House shelter

Issues continue with JEA, as board now lacks quorum

2nd compressed natural gas fueling station comes to Jacksonville

John Peyton on Lenny Curry board moves: “elections are about change”

Libertarian drops bid to unseat Scott Plakon in HD 29

Redistricting recommendations change Darren Soto’s CD 9 campaign

Protesters don life vests to challenge Marco Rubio’s denial of sea level rise

Leslie Scott Jean-Bart fundraising underwhelms again in September

Eureka Gardens code inspection reports raise existential questions