Local

Drew WilsonAugust 21, 2015

A second Democrat filed for the House District 59 seat on Thursday, setting up a primary battle to face Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano in the general election next year. Rena Jade Upshaw-Frazier, a partner at Quarles and Brady law firm in Tampa and a Stetson School of Law graduate, will take on schoolteacher Golnaz […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

As children across Northeast Florida start school, Gary Chartrand delivered in Thursday’s Florida Times-Union an article that defends tax credit scholarships while casting aspersions against legal action that threatens them. Chartrand, a former chairman of the Florida Board of Education who still sits on the board as a member, was instrumental to bringing chartered KIPP Schools to Jacksonville. […]

Frank TorresAugust 20, 2015

Lake County residents huddled at the Tavares Civic Center Thursday night to debate the upcoming renewal of a 15 year penny sales tax. Revenues from that tax are expected to generate $450 million dollars that would be split up between the county, it’s 14 cities, and the school board. The four-person panel featured Lake County […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

Most of those who speak into live microphones in Jacksonville are very careful with their word choice. Jaguars owner Shad Khan is not really an exception to that rule. However, since he is generally used to talking to other captains of industry and policy makers, Khan tends to speak with the sort of nuance that works […]

Mitch PerryAugust 20, 2015

After delivering what the Tampa Bay Times‘ Caitlin Johnston described as a “rant” at Wednesday’s Hillsborough Board of County Commission, Victor Crist isn’t finished getting the last word in when it comes to the county’s battle with Uber. That’s the more recalcitrant of the two ridesharing companies that have been operating out of compliance with the county’s […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

As the saying goes, Corrine delivers. U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown’s office announced on Thursday a $200,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). The federal (DOT) funds are for the Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program (Ladders of Opportunity Initiative). “The funds will support the area’s public transportation workforce project that will assist in […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

Mike Hightower, who resigned from the Jacksonville Electric Authority Board in December 2014, is back with them in a new capacity. Hightower is JEA’s new top lobbyist. As the Times-Union reported on Thursday, the job pays $199K. Competition for this position was fierce. Word is that former Councilman Richard Clark was interested. With Hightower, JEA gets […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 20, 2015

The political symbiosis of Florida Governor Rick Scott and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry yet again was demonstrated when the two men held a joint Thursday afternoon presser at Citibank in Jacksonville’s fast-growing Bartram Park neighborhood. Both men, along with Jaguars owner Shad Khan, spoke at the Enterprise Florida event on Thursday morning. The subject at Citibank: job creation. […]

Melissa RossAugust 20, 2015

Even though a 120-day moratorium on dispensing Charlotte’s Web is still in place in Jacksonville, one official involved with regulating the drug for cultivation and sale says the process is moving forward, albeit very slowly, for getting the non-euphoric THC oil into the hands of sick patients. “Over the past few weeks, everyone has learned […]

Frank TorresAugust 20, 2015

In an email Thursday morning, former Orlando Police Chief and current congressional candidate Val Demings reminded supporters of her history growing up, while promoting a message of empowerment for women in all parts of the community. “As one of seven children to a maid and janitor,” the email said, “Val was inspired by her parents’ unyielding work ethic […]

Local
Shemiah Rutledge image via campaign

2nd Democrat files for Ross Spano’s House seat

Gary Chartrand defends tax-credit scholarship program

Lake County leaders debate penny sales tax ahead of special election

Shad Khan’s “iconic” comment and the Jax media

Victor Crist fires back at Uber

Corrine Brown announces $200K DOT grant for JTA

Mike Hightower: JEA’s new top lobbyist

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry trumpet job creation

Charlotte’s Web in Jacksonville: “We need to move quickly”

Email insights: Val Demings says women are getting it done