First Coast

Residents of Jacksonville’s Centennial Towers senior living community in Springfield will be seeing improvements.

Amid renewed calls for the renaming of schools dedicated to Confederate civil war figures, the Duval County Public School Board voted Tuesday night to explore changing the names of six schools.

As conversations about anti-racism continue in the workplace, the discussion is now extending to the classrooms at some of Jacksonville’s most prestigious and elite schools. But the only way many students feel comfortable speaking up is anonymously, a new Instagram trend reveals.

Jacksonville is launching a Senior and Disabled Financial Assistance Program later this week.

As the U.S. Supreme Court this week affirms landmark legal protections for LGBTQ Americans, Florida employers will have to adjust to the new ban on discrimination.

In the second similar ruling in recent months, a federal judge has rejected UF Health Jacksonville’s arguments in a case about whether it should be shielded from being required to turn over records to a patient in a medical-malpractice dispute.

The Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee is looking at new sources of revenue for the city.

Mayor Lenny Curry said Tuesday the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases has dropped as compared to the city’s peak.

Jacksonville’s alternative weekly newspaper is making a comeback.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s Office will be the focal point for the release of body camera footage involving police shootings at the local level, according to Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams.

One of Jacksonville’s oldest and most historic parks will likely soon look different as Mayor Lenny Curry has vowed the city will take down Confederate monuments around Jacksonville.

In a special meeting May 21, the JEA board unanimously approved plans for a six-story headquarters with 153,000 rentable square feet, and amended a lease agreement with Ryan to reduce the utility’s gross rent cost by $27 million over 15 years and lower construction costs by $10 million to $14 million.

‘Welcome back’ signs were quickly taken down in place of ‘Sorry, we’re closed’ signs for three bars in Jacksonville Beach over the weekend. Each establishment reported having at least one customer test positive for coronavirus.

Duval County Republicans are heralding the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Jacksonville as a great opportunity to put the city in the national spotlight and economic growth, while the local Democratic Party is outlining major concerns. 

The State Attorney’s Office says it won’t be pursuing charges against 48 protesters arrested May 31 during demonstrations in Downtown Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said bringing a portion of the Republican National Convention to Northeast Florida in August will be a boost for local small businesses.

Calling it a “big win,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said Friday he envisions the Republican convention in August as an opportunity to showcase the city and get people back to work following massive shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At last check, 1,800 people had signed up to participate in a Downtown Jacksonville boat rally Sunday to celebrate President Donald Trump’s birthday, according to the organizer’s Facebook page.

Jacksonville will host the biggest pieces of the 2020 National Republican Convention in August.

Augustine Development Group’s request for a $3 million Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant to redevelop the Independent Life Building will move to the full Downtown Investment Authority board for final approval.

DIA’s Strategic Implementation Committee voted unanimously June 11 to approve the term sheet for the grant, according to WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Nine Jacksonville African American Civic and Social Organizations are urging the black members of the City Council to form a Black Caucus to represent underserved communities in the city. 

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to drop his appeal of a recent court ruling regarding Amendment 4, which restores the voting rights of millions of ex-felons in Florida, and to reform the state’s controversial Clemency Board, the statewide body that decides whether felons can have their rights restored.

As Jacksonville officials look for answers and policy changes to address local racial inequality issues, the City Council is forming a new Social Justice and Community Investment Committee.

By the end of August, the corner of the Water Street Garage at the base of the Acosta Bridge might look anything but pedestrian.

Lowe’s Companies Inc. appears to be working toward opening a distribution warehouse in Freebird Commerce Center in North Jacksonville.

It’s looking more likely that the Republican National Convention will be moved to Jacksonville in August.