News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 12 of 14.
Local Media
Florida Phoenix Marks Eight Years Covering Jacksonville, Northeast Florida
The statewide nonprofit news outlet highlighted its Jacksonville coverage, including No Kings Day rallies and ongoing state government reporting, as it enters its ninth year of operation.
Government
Congressional gridlock threatens Northeast Florida defense, infrastructure funding as midterms loom
Republican infighting over voter ID legislation has stalled annual government funding bills and defense policy measures that shape military installations and infrastructure projects across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, with only 24 House session days remaining before November elections.
Downtown
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp host two home series at VyStar Ballpark in June
The Triple-A baseball team plays 13 home games this month at the downtown riverfront stadium, with Pride Night and Thirsty Thursday specials headlining this week's action.
Community
Downtown Jacksonville Rolls Out Summer Activity Calendar for Kids
From art camps at MOCA and the Cummer to free concerts in historic parks and tours of a naval destroyer, the urban core is positioning itself as a family destination through the summer months.
Development
Jet Set Pilates Studio Coming to Pearl Square in Downtown Jacksonville
A new fitness studio is headed to the Pearl Square development at Jacksonville's former Jacksonville Landing site, offering free weekly classes at Riverfront Music Garden while the project takes shape.
Public Safety
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Graduates 26 New Firefighters to Serve Duval County
JFRD Recruit Class 126 completed 13 weeks of advanced training and will deploy across 71 stations covering the largest fire department service area by land in the continental U.S.
Education
Cunningham Creek Elementary showcases STEAM, ESE programs in district visit
St. Johns County Superintendent Dr. Asplen's visit to the growing school highlights robotics instruction, specialized programs, and positive behavior initiatives as enrollment pressures mount countywide.
Environment
Northeast Florida Realtors join statewide waterway cleanup effort
The sixth annual Clean Up Florida Waters initiative brings volunteer crews to rivers, beaches, and marshes across the region's seven counties, addressing trash that threatens the waterways driving property values and quality of life.
Real Estate
Affordability Pushes Northeast Florida Homebuyers Toward Outer Suburbs
National data shows 44% of buyers are choosing suburbs and outer-ring communities as affordability concerns drive migration away from urban cores, a trend reshaping growth patterns across the Jacksonville region.
Leadership
Downtown Vision CEO Jake Gordon to Step Down After 11 Years Leading Jacksonville Organization
Jake Gordon will transition out of his CEO role at Downtown Vision, Inc. by September 30 after growing the business improvement district nonprofit's budget from $1.1 million to nearly $5 million. Chief Operating Officer Eric Miller will serve as interim CEO starting October 1.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Homebuyers Urged to Look Beyond Interest Rates
As mortgage rates remain elevated, real estate professionals say Jacksonville-area buyers have multiple strategies to reduce monthly payments and move forward with homeownership without waiting for rate drops.
Downtown Events
Downtown Jacksonville Plans Major 250th Independence Day Celebration
A multi-day Fourth of July festival will bring thousands to downtown Jacksonville's riverfront, anchored by the city's largest fireworks display and marking America's 250th birthday with events at Riverfront Plaza, Friendship Fountain, and the Cummer Museum.
Downtown Events
Downtown Jacksonville Taproom Hosts World Cup Watch Parties as USA Faces Bosnia
Pour Taproom in downtown Jacksonville is serving as the district's unofficial World Cup headquarters, with watch parties scheduled around First Wednesday Art Walk and extended happy hour specials as the U.S. men's team advances through the 2026 tournament.
Environment
Jacksonville Beaches Host Post-July 4th Cleanup Drive July 5
Volunteers will gather at three beach access points the morning after Independence Day to remove fireworks debris and litter from Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach shorelines, continuing an annual tradition that last year collected 2,800 pounds of trash.
Community
Jacksonville volunteers remove nearly 5 tons of litter in citywide cleanup competition
The Jax Litter League's latest 98-day season brought hundreds of volunteers to Jacksonville streets and parks, delivering more than $18,000 in cost savings to taxpayers through litter removal across Duval County.
Maritime
JAXPORT Official: Global Shipping Disruptions Now Permanent Feature of Trade
The port authority's chief commercial officer says years of back-to-back crises—from COVID to conflicts in the Middle East—have fundamentally changed what customers expect from Jacksonville's seaport and its logistics network.
Development
European Street Cafe Selected for Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront Plaza
The locally owned restaurant, a Jacksonville fixture since 1980, will anchor the café at the city's new waterfront gathering space when it opens this fall, marking the first food and beverage tenant at the reimagined riverfront.
Government Services
Jacksonville City Offices, Libraries to Close for Independence Day Weekend
Most City of Jacksonville offices and facilities will close Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday, with parks and pools maintaining modified schedules and garbage collection continuing as normal.
Downtown Development
Historic Ambassador Hotel Renovation Seeks Final Approval
Gateway Jax's $17 million adaptive reuse project would transform the landmark into a 105-room hotel with restaurant and conference facilities.
Local History
Alice Kirkpatrick and the Richmond Hotel in Jim Crow-Era Jacksonville
A Jacksonville businesswoman built institutions that sustained Black community life during segregation from her base in LaVilla.
Local Government
Nassau County Tree Commission Cancels July 1 Meeting
The Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission has canceled its regular meeting originally scheduled for early July.
Maritime
OIA Global Expands Operations Through Jacksonville Port
Company builds on JF Moran legacy to enhance supply chain services and strengthen North American presence using JAXPORT as key gateway
Education
St. Johns County School District Ranks No. 1 in Florida
The district earned an A grade and achieved 910 accountability points in state rankings.
Government Meeting
South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Association Schedules Trustee Orientation Workshop
SAISSA will hold a workshop to orient newly appointed trustees from member associations.
Government
Nassau County Insurance Committee to Review Employee Benefits for 2027
Committee will discuss health, life, and vision insurance options for county employees in upcoming plan year.
Transportation
Jacksonville Port marks 250 years of American maritime history
JaxPort traces the region's role as a maritime gateway from colonial times through the nation's semiquennial celebration.
Community Development
Community Resilience Conference Set for March 10-12
MDC and LISC Jacksonville partner to host State of the South convening focused on development pressures, climate challenges, and community organizing.
Culture & Heritage
Gullah Geechee Heritage Shapes Jacksonville's Culinary Identity
Descendants of enslaved Africans who settled in Northeast Florida's coastal communities maintain foodways connecting land, water, ancestry, and memory.
Jacksonville History
Five Forgotten Facts About LaVilla's Red Light District
Ward Street was home to more than 60 bordellos in the early 20th century, operated by well-known madams including Cora Crane, Belle Orloff, and Lyda De Camp.
Development
Rosemary Beach: New Urbanism Community on Florida's Panhandle
The 105-acre planned community in Walton County draws design inspiration from New Orleans' French Quarter and includes more than 400 homesites.
