Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossApril 6, 2016

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They’re national champions after winning the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals tournament Saturday at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Now, the Jacksonville Ribault High School Lady Trojans basketball team is going for another national honor: a visit to the White House. Fans of the Lady Trojans clearly believe the winning athletes deserve presidential attention. They’ve posted […]

Melissa RossApril 5, 2016

Two potential heirs to the much-discussed 5th Congressional District long held by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown have confirmed they are sizing up the seat should it become available. “Absolutely,” said state Rep. Mia Jones, one of four veteran Jacksonville politicians seen as a viable contender to run in Brown’s stead. The others are former Jax Mayor […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

Jacksonville is determined to do whatever is necessary to help victims of sexual assault. That was the message Tuesday from three of the most powerful politicians in the city: Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike Williams, and State Attorney Angela Corey. Jacksonville, of course, has been active in working against that scourge for a while. The Sexual Assault Advisory […]

Melissa RossApril 4, 2016

On the heels of a new Florida law requiring speedier testing of rape kits, advocates in North Florida are speaking out about the high rate of sexual assault in the region. A Community Speak Out is set for Tuesday morning at Jacksonville City Hall, featuring representatives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Florida […]

Melissa RossMarch 31, 2016

Highlighting the creation of 75 new jobs, Gov. Rick Scott was on hand at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anheuser-Busch’s new $175 million aluminum bottle line at its Jacksonville facility. The company employs 840 people across Florida. “Manufacturers like Anheuser-Busch are incredibly important to our state, and I am excited to join them in celebrating their […]

Melissa RossMarch 30, 2016

News that problems still persist at Jacksonville’s troubled Eureka Garden public housing complex has local activists such as Denise Hunt steaming. “I’m disgusted. I was assured these problems would be solved, and I even offered a case management plan of action to help solve some of the inequities out there. I feel like I got […]

Melissa RossMarch 29, 2016

Placing the blame on everything from “media misinformation” to the tortured legacy of the Jim Crow era, a high-powered panel of Jacksonville officials held forth on racial tensions in the city at a conference sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association and Florida Coastal Law School. Unsurprisingly, the most frank comments came from Edward Waters College […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

Melissa RossMarch 17, 2016

Pressing hard on issues ranging from homelessness to what to do about ex-offenders leaving prison, ICARE Jax, or the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, is unveiling its 2016 action plan this week at a major rally. “A new initiative we’ll talk about is that we want to engage a process to help more […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2016

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott released his 2016 “Florida First” budget. Six pages of projects didn’t make the cut, including many Northeast Florida priorities. A big loss for downtown development in Jacksonville: the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority Urban Homesteading Pilot Program did not get the $1 million requested. Neither did the St. Johns River Ferry allocation […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Jax Ribault High Lady Trojans petition for White House invite

Audrey Gibson, Mia Jones both “absolutely” eyeing Corrine Brown’s CD 5 seat

Jax leadership mobilizes against sexual assault

Jax mayor, sheriff, state attorney all to speak out at rally against sexual violence

Rick Scott touts new jobs at Anheuser-Busch in Jacksonville

Persistent problems at Eureka Garden complex outrage Jax activists

Jax officials discuss easing racial tensions, building community trust

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions

ICARE pushes on “systemic” Jacksonville issues of crime, homelessness, poverty

Governor axes Jax Urban Homesteading program, St. Johns River Ferry, other NE FL requests