News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 3 of 14.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors Warn: Small Contract Errors Can Derail Northeast Florida Transactions
Legal experts at the 2026 Florida Realtors Convention highlighted how unsigned extensions, septic disclosure gaps, and even comma placement can turn into costly problems for Jacksonville-area agents and buyers.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida housing market rebounds after three-year sales decline
After 11 straight months of rising sales, Florida's housing market is showing renewed strength across price points and property types, with Northeast Florida participating in the statewide turnaround as inventory tightens and postponed buyers re-enter the market.
Development
Jacksonville Arts Exhibit Tackles Displacement as Region Grapples With Development Pressures
The Duval Displaced, Duval Dis Place exhibit at Yellow House brought 15 local artists together to examine how rapid growth and climate change are reshaping Jacksonville communities, part of a broader effort to center artists in policy conversations about the region's future.
Education
St. Johns Compass Opens K-12 Enrollment for State Scholarship Students
The St. Johns County School District's virtual and hybrid learning program has capacity for students using Florida's school-choice scholarships, expanding access as the district's traditional schools face enrollment pressure.
Education
St. Johns County Schools to Host College & Career Night for Students, Families
The annual event scheduled for September 2 will bring more than 100 colleges, universities, technical schools, and employers to World Golf Village, offering local high school students direct access to post-graduation pathways.
Community
Riverside Arts Market Celebrates National Farmers Market Week in Downtown Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville's popular Saturday market highlights local vendors, fresh produce, and community gathering as part of nationwide celebration of farmers markets.
Development
Palm Coast to Purchase 259 Acres in Town Center for $17M as Part of Lawsuit Settlement
The City Council approved a settlement resolving litigation with Palm Coast Holdings LLC that gives the city ownership of vacant Town Center land, positioning the municipality to control future economic development on one of the largest remaining parcels in Flagler County's urban core.
Real Estate
Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly but Remain Elevated, Weighing on Northeast Florida Homebuyers
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dipped to 6.65% this week but sits higher than a year ago, continuing to constrain purchasing power for buyers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida's housing markets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
