Jacksonville, FL News
TOP Jacksonville STORIES
BREAKING NEWS
Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
News Summary Sean-Michael Smith, a registered child sex offender, has pleaded guilty to charges related to accessing child pornography over the internet. He faces a minimum of 10 years in...
Jacksonville Secures Funding for Safety and Infrastructure Improvements
News Summary Jacksonville has received $4.35 million from state funding aimed at enhancing public safety and infrastructure in the city. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida budget, which allocates this...
Local Man Arrested for Aggravated Battery on Infant
News Summary In Jacksonville, a 24-year-old man named Ja’Quan Wootson has been arrested for aggravated battery on a four-week-old baby girl, who was hospitalized with severe injuries. The incident has...
Jacksonville Ranked 7th in Best Places to Retire
News Summary Jacksonville, Florida has been recognized as the 7th best retirement destination in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Places to Retire list. The city scored high...
Jacksonville Man Arrested for Serial Rapes After 25 Years
News Summary After 25 years of investigations, Jason Leonard Blount has been arrested in Jacksonville for multiple sexual assaults. His DNA linked him to several cold cases following a robbery...
Coast Guard Intervenes Against Illegal Charter Operations in Jacksonville
News Summary The Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville terminated an illegal passenger vessel operating on the St. Johns River. The unregistered vessel was offering charter services without proper licensing, leading to...
Jacksonville Drug Bust Uncovers Fentanyl and Weapons
News Summary A major drug bust in Jacksonville led to the seizure of over 1,200 grams of fentanyl and five firearms. Authorities arrested five suspects linked to the operation at...
Road Cave-In Causes Traffic Disruptions in Jacksonville
News Summary A significant road cave-in at 700 East Bay Street in Jacksonville has led to the closure of multiple lanes, while investigations by JEA crews are underway. Both westbound...
Overnight Shooting Leaves Man Injured in Jacksonville
News Summary A man in his mid-20s was injured in an overnight shooting in Jacksonville’s West Chase Court area. The unidentified suspect approached the victim and fired multiple shots before...
BUSINESS
Jacksonville Businesses Struggle Amid Stock Market Gains
News Summary Despite a rally in the stock market, Jacksonville’s local businesses are facing significant challenges, with many companies reporting declines in stock prices. Notably, Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. saw...
Gateway Jax Acquires Nine Downtown Jacksonville Properties
News Summary Gateway Jax has successfully acquired nine properties in Downtown Jacksonville for $7.5 million as part of a larger plan to enhance the area through residential and retail development....
Colliers U.S. Seeks New Market Leader for Jacksonville Office
News Summary Colliers U.S. is searching for a new market leader for its Jacksonville office after Courtland Eyrick’s departure back to CBRE. Eyrick has been promoted to executive vice president...
St. Johns County Approves Tidal 210 Townhome Development
News Summary The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners has approved the Tidal 210 townhome development, consisting of 297 units on 65 acres near County Road 210. Despite opposition concerning...
Raising Cane’s Opens New Location in Jacksonville
News Summary Raising Cane’s is set to open its first restaurant in Jacksonville on July 15, located at Merchants Way. The grand opening will feature giveaways, activities, and local donations,...
New Temple to be Built in Jacksonville, Florida
News Summary The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced plans for a new temple in Jacksonville’s Mandarin area, the first for the city. The temple will cost...
Record Sale of Oceanfront Property in Atlantic Beach
News Summary An oceanfront property in Atlantic Beach has achieved a record sale price of $15.5 million, significantly surpassing the previous record of $9.3 million. The property, located at 1725...
Record Oceanfront Home Sale in Atlantic Beach
News Summary Atlantic Beach has achieved a new milestone with the sale of an oceanfront home for $15.5 million. This record-breaking deal surpasses the previous high and emphasizes the growing...
Tropical Depression #3 Forms Near Jacksonville, Florida
News Summary Tropical Depression #3 has officially formed off the coast of Florida, prompting authorities to issue a tropical storm watch for parts of South Carolina. While major impacts are...
Events/What's Happening
Casting Opportunities for Aspiring Actors in Jacksonville
News Summary Aspiring actors and actresses in Jacksonville and across the U.S. have numerous casting calls available, ranging from short films to feature films. Notable projects include leading and supporting...
Raising Cane’s Opens First Location in Jacksonville
News Summary Jacksonville, Florida will soon welcome its first Raising Cane’s restaurant, opening on July 15, 2025. The grand opening event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, promotions, and giveaways. Situated...
Lane Closures on Shands Bridge for Maintenance
News Summary The Florida Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on the Shands Bridge beginning Wednesday for essential maintenance. The bridge is expected to reopen by Thursday morning, but...
Jacksonville Embraces ‘Love Island’ Watch Parties
News Summary Jacksonville has become a hub for ‘Love Island’ fans as local bars and restaurants host watch parties for the show’s seventh season. With dedicated viewership, venues like Front...
Mayor Deegan Launches Jacksonville Merchandise Store
News Summary Mayor Donna Deegan has launched an online merchandise store designed to support local initiatives and promote community pride in Jacksonville. The store features a variety of locally designed...
Jacksonville’s Duval Day Concert Canceled Due to Low Ticket Sales
News Summary The highly anticipated concert featuring Lil Duval in Jacksonville has been canceled due to insufficient ticket sales. Set for July 11 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the...
Duval Day Concert Canceled, Block Party Still On
News Summary The Duval Day Concert set for July 11 has been canceled, as stated on Ticketmaster. Fans were excited for artists like DaBaby and Lil Duval to perform. However,...
Jacksonville’s Public Art Projects Earn Statewide Recognition
News Summary Four public art projects from Jacksonville have been recognized at the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals conference, showcasing their creativity and impact. Award-winning pieces include a sculpture...
Jacksonville Boy Selected for USSSA All-American Games
News Summary Ten-year-old LaShun Highsmith Jr. (LJ) from Jacksonville has been selected for the USSSA All-American games, showcasing young baseball talents nationwide. LJ, who excelled in tryouts in Kentucky, will...
CRIME
Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
News Summary Sean-Michael Smith, a registered child sex offender, has pleaded guilty to charges related to accessing child pornography over the internet. He faces a minimum of 10 years in...
Local Man Arrested for Aggravated Battery on Infant
News Summary In Jacksonville, a 24-year-old man named Ja’Quan Wootson has been arrested for aggravated battery on a four-week-old baby girl, who was hospitalized with severe injuries. The incident has...
Jacksonville Man Arrested for Serial Rapes After 25 Years
News Summary After 25 years of investigations, Jason Leonard Blount has been arrested in Jacksonville for multiple sexual assaults. His DNA linked him to several cold cases following a robbery...
Coast Guard Intervenes Against Illegal Charter Operations in Jacksonville
News Summary The Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville terminated an illegal passenger vessel operating on the St. Johns River. The unregistered vessel was offering charter services without proper licensing, leading to...
Jacksonville Drug Bust Uncovers Fentanyl and Weapons
News Summary A major drug bust in Jacksonville led to the seizure of over 1,200 grams of fentanyl and five firearms. Authorities arrested five suspects linked to the operation at...
Overnight Shooting Leaves Man Injured in Jacksonville
News Summary A man in his mid-20s was injured in an overnight shooting in Jacksonville’s West Chase Court area. The unidentified suspect approached the victim and fired multiple shots before...
Jacksonville Woman Shot and Killed at Party
News Summary A woman was shot and killed during a party on Jacksonville’s Westside early Saturday morning. Police discovered the victim, around 20 years old, with a gunshot wound. Witnesses...
Local Resident Warns Against Celebratory Gunfire Risks
News Summary After discovering a bullet in his home post-Fourth of July festivities, a Jacksonville resident raises alarm over the dangers of celebratory gunfire. Curtis Houston found the bullet in...
Teen Girls Hospitalized After Shooting in Jacksonville
News Summary Two teenage girls were hospitalized after being shot multiple times during an argument in Northwest Jacksonville. The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m., and both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries....
POLITICS
Jacksonville Secures Funding for Safety and Infrastructure Improvements
News Summary Jacksonville has received $4.35 million from state funding aimed at enhancing public safety and infrastructure in the city. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida budget, which allocates this...
DeSantis Cuts Florida Budget by Millions, Impacting Local Projects
News Summary Governor Ron DeSantis has used his line-item veto authority to cut nearly $576 million from Florida’s newly approved state budget, significantly affecting local projects in Northeast Florida. The...
Teen Girls Hospitalized After Shooting in Jacksonville
News Summary Two teenage girls were hospitalized after being shot multiple times during an argument in Northwest Jacksonville. The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m., and both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries....
Brian Coughlin Becomes New President of Jacksonville Bar Association
News Summary Brian Coughlin has officially taken on the role of president of the Jacksonville Bar Association (JBA), aiming to enhance community engagement and ethical practices in the legal profession....
Transportation Challenges for Jacksonville Residents Amid Construction
News Summary Jacksonville residents face significant transportation challenges due to ongoing construction near McDuff Avenue and Post Street, particularly affecting those with disabilities. The closure of three bus stops has...
Duval County School Board Launches ‘Duval Reimagine’ Initiative
News Summary The Duval County School Board has unveiled the ‘Duval Reimagine’ initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at improving school infrastructure and student distribution. This program focuses on key areas...
Jacksonville Residents Protest New Medical Examiner’s Office
News Summary Residents in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood are opposing the construction of a new medical examiner’s office near KIPP V.O.I.C.E. Academy. Protests occurred on June 25, with claims that the...
Protest in Jacksonville Supports Activist Facing Federal Charges
News Summary Community members and immigrant rights advocates protested outside the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville against federal charges imposed on activist Alejandro Orellana. Orellana faces serious accusations, including conspiracy to...
Leadership Changes in Jacksonville’s Planning Commission and JEA
News Summary Julius E. Harden has resigned from the Jacksonville Planning Commission amid tensions over the city’s planning processes. R. Brett James, the head of Jacksonville’s Planning and Development Department,...
SPORTS
Jacksonville Boy Selected for USSSA All-American Games
News Summary Ten-year-old LaShun Highsmith Jr. (LJ) from Jacksonville has been selected for the USSSA All-American games, showcasing young baseball talents nationwide. LJ, who excelled in tryouts in Kentucky, will...
Jacksonville’s First Women’s Pro Sports Team Gains Momentum
News Summary A recent survey from the University of North Florida reveals strong local support for Sporting JAX, Jacksonville’s inaugural women’s professional sports team. With over 60% of respondents expressing...
Dr. Hester Petty Celebrates 100th Birthday in Jacksonville
News Summary Dr. Hester Petty, a beloved Jacksonville resident, celebrated her 100th birthday with a series of events including a surprise tea party and a memorable trip to New York...
Jacksonville Armada Women’s U-23 Team Opens Season with Dramatic Draw
News Summary The Jacksonville Armada Women’s U-23 soccer team kicked off their second season in the Women’s Premier Soccer League with a thrilling 4-4 draw against the West Florida Flames....
Jacksonville Hosts Exciting Sports and Cultural Weekend
News Summary Jacksonville is gearing up for a weekend packed with sports, music, and festivals. Highlights include significant football games, a symphony performance, and cultural festivities, ensuring a memorable time...
Jacksonville to Host a Musical and Community Extravaganza
News Summary Jacksonville, Florida, is gearing up for a week filled with vibrant music festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings. The highlight will be the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, featuring renowned...
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Rebrands as Honey Drippers
News Summary The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will temporarily rebrand as the Honey Drippers for four games in the upcoming season, celebrating the local Honey Dripper treat. Fans can enjoy special...
Upcoming Events in Jacksonville: Concerts, Festivals, and More
News Summary Jacksonville is gearing up for an exciting week filled with concerts, festivals, and sports events. Highlights include the Clay County Fair featuring live performances from popular artists and...
Spring Events Blooming in Jacksonville
News Summary April brings a vibrant array of events to Jacksonville, from the return of the Clay County Fair featuring live music, rides, and food to the Springing the Blues...
