Local

A.G. GancarskiAugust 24, 2015

In July, the Duval County unemployment rate was up by .1 percent to 6.1 percent, according to figures from the city of Jacksonville. The rate had held steady at 6 percent in the preceding two months. However, the number in July 2014 was 7.3 percent. These numbers mirror .1 percent monthly upticks in Florida and […]

Ryan RayAugust 24, 2015

Former Senate President Don Gaetz — fresh from bad publicity for his role in the 2011 redistricting fiasco, when he was chairman of his chamber’s map-making committee — accentuated the positive Sunday in an email to his constituents in his sprawling Senate District 1, which runs from Walton to Jackson counties in the western Panhandle. Legislators […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 24, 2015

Last week, the city of Jacksonville’s lead veteran outreach specialist, Ricky Lewis, tendered his resignation. We see many resignation letters lately, of course. This one stands out because it spotlights issues that the Lenny Curry administration, and its new military affairs specialist Bill Spann, will have to address for veterans of the current era. “When I first started […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 24, 2015

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In what could be construed as a shot across the bow of the Lenny Curry administration, the office of Councilman Tommy Hazouri this weekend advanced an ambitious proposal to expand the library’s collection budget and increase allocations to Urban Core libraries. The moves would expand service hours and add more services to address the outcome […]

Frank TorresAugust 24, 2015

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs has called for a review of computers being used by county employees for further potential activities involving websites such as Ashley Madison. On Sunday, Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Jeff Ashton admitted using the website, the slogan for which is “Life is short. Have an affair.” A statement from the county […]

Associated PressAugust 23, 2015

A Broward County grand jury is preparing to investigate the distribution and use of the synthetic drug flakka following at least 33 deaths linked to the substance over the past 10 months. State Attorney Michael Satz says the goal is to find ways to assist law enforcement, medical providers and the community as a whole […]

Frank TorresAugust 23, 2015

Two Democratic state senators will once again attempt to stop hydraulic fracturing, they type of oil exploration known as fracking, from the Sunshine State. On Monday, Sens. Darren Soto of Orlando and Dwight Bullard from Cutler Bay will formally introduce legislation for the 2016 Legislative Session that seeks to make fracking illegal statewide. The announcement will […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 23, 2015

Don’t expect to see Marty Fiorentino, Peter Rummell, John Rood, Ed Burr, Steve Diebenow or Ty Petway at Jacksonville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday. Those names, and those of a couple of dozen other #jaxpol heavy hitters, are on the committee for a Jeb Bush fundraiser at Grape and Grain in San Marco Tuesday evening at 5:30. We reported first on […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

Though Florida Politics did not cover last week’s Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services meeting, we were able to obtain administration notes from the session, which give a strong sense as to City Council priorities that the Lenny Curry team found notable. Councilwoman Lori Boyer wondered “What funding is in our budget for the Jacksonville Day Resource Center?” As well, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

Expect an appointment heavy agenda at Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, as the Lenny Curry administration introduces nine appointments via the following bills. 2015-602: Jacksonville Port Authority – Appointment of John Rood 2015-603: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Jay Demetree 2015-604: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Russell Thomas 2015-605: Art in Public Places – Appointment […]

Local

Duval County unemployment up slightly in July

Don Gaetz says BP recovery bill a coup for Northwest Florida

Outgoing veteran outreach specialist asks how Jax will deal with homeless female vets

Tommy Hazouri floats proposal to “rebuild” Jax library system

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs seeks review of computers for sex site activity

Florida grand jury to investigate flakka after 33 deaths

Darren Soto and Dwight Bullard to again roll out anti-fracking legislation

Jax GOP establishment welcomes Jeb Bush Jr. on Tuesday

Lenny Curry administration notes from Jax Parks and Rec budget meeting

Slew of Lenny Curry appointments at Jax Council meeting