News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 11 of 21.
Public Services
St. Johns County Library System Highlighted in New Podcast Series
A four-episode podcast series features Library Director Debra Gibson discussing the county's six branch locations, digital services, and community programs serving a fast-growing population across Northeast Florida.
Environment
Clay County homeowners have 90 days to appeal new FEMA flood maps
FEMA's updated flood zone maps for Clay County take effect in early 2027, potentially changing insurance requirements and property values for thousands of residents. The appeal window closes November 18.
Courts
Public Defender and Prosecutor Advance to November Runoff for Duval County Judge Seat
Octavius Holliday and Melina Buncome will face off Nov. 3 for Duval County Court Group 13 after neither secured a majority in Tuesday's three-way primary. The winner will fill the bench vacated by Judge Mose Floyd's retirement.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors could gain health coverage options under federal rule
National Association of Realtors is pushing for association health plans as federal officials prepare new rules that could expand coverage for self-employed real estate professionals, including thousands in the Jacksonville area.
Public Health
Jacksonville Fire-Rescue's Addiction Recovery Program Wins State Recognition, $64,000
JFRD's CORE Program, which connects overdose patients to addiction treatment and medication-assisted therapy, ranks among Florida's top 10 performers and receives state funding to expand its reach.
Government
Jacksonville's $2B Budget Up for Public Input at Town Halls Across City
Mayor Deegan is taking her proposed budget directly to neighborhoods with six town halls from August 19 to September 21, promising no tax increases while aiming to sustain the city's growth momentum.
Government
Clay County government offices to close for Labor Day holiday
County offices will be closed Monday, September 7, though curbside trash and recycling collection will continue on regular schedules throughout Clay County.
Courts
Duval County Group 13 judge race heads to November runoff
Prosecutor Octavius Holliday and public defender Melina Buncome advanced from a three-candidate primary and will compete Nov. 3 for the Duval County Court Group 13 seat.
Politics
Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary, will face Moody in November
Jacksonville state lawmaker Angie Nixon defeated Alex Vindman in Tuesday's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, setting up a November showdown with Republican incumbent Ashley Moody for the seat vacated by Marco Rubio.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Among 19 Florida Cities Named Nation's Top 'Boomtowns'
A new analysis ranks Florida as the nation's fastest-growing state, with Jacksonville joining 18 other Florida cities among the top 75 boomtowns based on housing growth, workforce expansion, and economic activity from 2019 to 2024.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors convention in Orlando focuses on wealth building beyond transactions
At the Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo, industry professionals from across the state — including Northeast Florida — gathered for a daylong Wealth Building Summit focused on turning commission income into long-term asset ownership and financial strategy.
Education
All Three Duval County School Board Races Head to November Runoffs
With no candidate winning outright in Districts 2, 4, and 6, November runoffs will determine the board's composition as two conservative members exit and the district faces enrollment declines and school closure decisions.
Public Safety
Jacksonville Sheriff attends political rally hours after 14th JSO shooting of 2026
Sheriff T.K. Waters appeared at a Byron Donalds gubernatorial victory event in Orlando while Chief Michael Paul briefed media on the latest officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville.
Government
Nassau County sets budget workshop for capital projects, fiscal 2027 spending
County commissioners will discuss the capital improvement plan and next year's budget in a public workshop next week at the Yulee government complex.
Elections
Criminal defense attorney Matt Lufrano wins Duval County court judge race
Lufrano captured 57% of the vote to fill the County Court Judge Group 1 seat, defeating personal injury attorney Latoya Williams Shelton in Tuesday's primary election for a six-year term on Jacksonville's county court bench.
Public Safety
Jacksonville Activates Cooling Centers Amid Extreme Heat Warning
The City of Jacksonville has activated its cooling contingency plan as an extreme heat warning takes effect, opening 59 public facilities as free cooling centers with JTA offering free rides to help residents escape dangerous temperatures.
Infrastructure
SSA Marine completes $100M+ Jacksonville port upgrade on Blount Island
The Jacksonville Container Terminal modernization adds cranes, pavement, and gate lanes to handle larger ships and move cargo faster, strengthening the region's position as a logistics hub.
Community
Clay County to mark 25th anniversary of 9/11 with remembrance ceremony
Green Cove Springs will host a public ceremony on September 11 to commemorate a quarter-century since the 2001 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida seniors downsizing while working, reshaping housing demand
As more Americans over 65 stay in the workforce, Northeast Florida's older buyers are seeking low-maintenance homes with home offices and connectivity — not just smaller square footage — changing how agents market properties.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida homebuyers push ahead despite rising mortgage rates
Sales momentum continues across the region as buyers accept that 2019-level affordability won't return, with closed sales up 5% statewide and pending contracts rising for the 12th straight month.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Real Estate Agents Look Beyond Price Cuts to Revive Stalled Listings
Industry experts recommend strategic pricing adjustments, improved presentation, and seller incentives to get stagnant Northeast Florida properties back in front of buyers without slashing asking prices.
Community
St. Johns County Hosts Foster Care Info Session Aug. 25 Amid Need for Families
The free Fostering 101 event at the county library in St. Augustine will connect prospective foster and adoptive parents with program staff and experienced families as officials seek more local placements for children in the system.
Election 2026
Duval County Primary Turnout Lags State Leaders as Northeast Florida Voters Head to Polls
With polls closing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Duval County's 12.19% early and mail-in voting rate trails regional neighbors, while Flagler County ranks among Florida's highest-turnout counties at over 19%.
Education
Duval School Board Race Focuses on Violence Despite Five-Year Decline in Fighting
Three Republican candidates vying for the District 6 school board seat are campaigning on student discipline, even as state data shows fighting incidents have dropped 16% since 2022. Meanwhile, the district faces budget pressures, enrollment decline, and a millage renewal vote.
Infrastructure
Fernandina Beach Launches New Permitting System With 10-Day Transition
The city switches from EnerGov to CityView on August 31, requiring contractors and developers to submit applications by email during the transition. Online permit access and inspections will continue with modified procedures.
Real Estate
Florida home sales up for 11th straight month as Northeast Florida inventory shrinks
Statewide single-family sales rose over 5% in July while inventory fell nearly 13.5%, continuing a nearly yearlong streak driven by buyers no longer waiting for affordability to return to pre-pandemic levels—a pattern reshaping Northeast Florida's tight housing market.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors Warned: AI Tools Creating Legal Risks in Jacksonville Real Estate Transactions
A real estate attorney told Florida agents at a recent legal summit that artificial intelligence tools are generating false listing details, fabricated property features, and misleading images—opening the door to advertising violations and ethics complaints when agents don't verify the output.
Real Estate
Real estate agents shift strategies to reach Northeast Florida's millennial and Gen Z homebuyers
Industry experts say younger first-time buyers in Jacksonville and the region respond better to educational content on social media than traditional listing promotions, as agents adapt to changing consumer expectations.
Civic Education
Clay County Opens Applications for High School 'Commissioner for a Day' Program
Clay County is accepting applications from high school seniors for its Commissioner for a Day program, giving students a firsthand look at local government operations and decision-making.
Community Resources
Palm Coast Launches Free Housing Workshop Series to Help Residents Navigate Homeownership Challenges
The city's new 11-month educational series starting in August will cover foreclosure prevention, property tax exemptions, and disaster preparedness, addressing critical housing stability issues as Florida's insurance and cost-of-living pressures mount.
