Local

Melissa RossMay 16, 2016

As criticism mounts toward the Obama administration’s new directive on transgender students and public school bathrooms, Jacksonville’s schools chief is pointing out that public schools in Duval County have quietly been allowing transgender kids to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable with for several years now. “We have been problem-solving on these issues for […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2016

With just eight days before the Jacksonville City Council elects a new vice president, every pledge counts in a tight race between Doyle Carter and John Crescimbeni. Coming into Monday, Carter had six pledges and Crescimbeni had seven. After a short meeting with Reggie Gaffney Monday, Carter tied the count in the VP race, as Gaffney crossed party […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2016

On Monday, the New Florida Majority and allies, including a state senator, held a press conference in front of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office to protest closed primaries in the 4th Judicial Circuit races for public defender and state attorney. The biggest name of those allies, Sen. Audrey Gibson, noted drily that “the [television] cameras […]

Staff ReportsMay 16, 2016

From the Baxley campaign: Today, the Dennis Baxley campaign announced the support of Allan Bense, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Bense served the Panama City area in the Florida House beginning in 1996 and was Speaker during his final term from 2004 to 2006. Baxley is seeking the District 12 seat in the Florida […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 16, 2016

Rep. Tom Rooney has received enough signatures to secure a spot on the ballot. Rooney announced Monday he had received enough verified signatures to qualify for the Congressional District 17 race. The Okeechobee Republican is running for re-election, and said he was “honored and humbled” by the support. “I’m honored and humbled to qualify by […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2016

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An ordinance appropriating $250,000 from Jacksonville City Council contingency funds to construct a stage at downtown’s Hemming Park was approved Monday by a 6-to-1 vote of the Finance Committee after over an hour of discussion. There were some sticking points beforehand. Multiple members of the committee expressed serious qualms about this particular deal, and about the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2016

The House District 13 Republican primary got a little more crowded last week after the entry of Jacksonville’s Daniel Evans. Evans currently serves as secretary and public relations co-chair for the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation Board and is involved with the non-political MAD DADS group, known locally for calling attention to senseless acts of violence […]

Associated PressMay 15, 2016

Nearly half the counties in Florida, including Orange, Osceola and Volusia, have a high percentage of adults without health insurance, according to new estimates released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. Twenty-nine of 67 counties have many working-age adults without insurance, according to 2014 data from the bureau. The counties, largely located in Central […]

Scott PowersMay 15, 2016

The American Nurses Association has endorsed Val Demings in the Democratic primary race for Congressional District 10. The association represents 3.4 million nurses nationwide. “The American Nurses Association is proud to endorse Val Demings as our candidate in Florida’s 10th Congressional District,” Willa Fuller, executive director of the Florida Nurses Association, stated in a news […]

Peter SchorschMay 14, 2016

This week, Lauren Book officially crossed the 1,552 threshold of petitions needed to qualify for the 2016 ballot. And in true Lauren Book fashion, she’s gone above and beyond what was needed, tallying more than 2,770 signed petitions with the Division of Elections. Book, who is seeking to replace term-limited Sen. Eleanor Sobel in Broward-basd Senate District […]

Local
CWA Local 3104 workers notched their 17th straight day of striking against their telecom employer, AT&T, with which the union's contract expired a month ago. Image via CWA Local 3104/Facebook.

Nikolai Vitti: “fear factor” involved with transgender bathroom issue

Doyle Carter, John Crescimbeni tied in Jax Council veep race

Audrey Gibson, Jax activists protest closed GOP primaries in 4th circuit elections

Dennis Baxley picks up endorsement from former Speaker Allan Bense

Tom Rooney receives enough signatures to qualify in CD 17

Jax Council Finance OKs $250,000 for Hemming Park stage

Daniel Evans becomes third Republican to run in House District 13

Census: 3 Central Florida counties among highest with uninsured adults

Nurses union endorses Val Demings in CD 10 race

Lauren Book qualifies for ballot by petition