INSIDER
Angie Nixon defeats former Jacksonville City Councilwoman in landslide in race for District 13
Read full article: Angie Nixon defeats former Jacksonville City Councilwoman in landslide in race for District 13Democratic State Rep. Angie Nixon nailed District 13 with a Tuesday night win in Floridaโs primary election.
2024 Voter's Guide: Florida House District 13
Read full article: 2024 Voter's Guide: Florida House District 13Democrat Angie Nixon is seeking re-election in Florida House District 13, which covers most of Northwest Jacksonville and the near Westside, west of I-95, north of 103rd Street, east of Chaffee Road and McGirts Creek.
Council members gather ahead of planned special meeting on attempted JEA sale
Read full article: Council members gather ahead of planned special meeting on attempted JEA saleCity Council members Brenda Priestly Jackson and Randy Defoor attended a meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the change, work and legislative recommendations results from the Special Investigatory Committee on JEA matters.
City Council approves legislation to ban projecting unwanted messages on property
Read full article: City Council approves legislation to ban projecting unwanted messages on propertyThe Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday approved legislation that bans any message projected onto someoneโs building or property without permission.
Brenda Priestly Jackson will not seek reelection to District 10. She gives reasons why in letter
Read full article: Brenda Priestly Jackson will not seek reelection to District 10. She gives reasons why in letterIn a letter addressed Thursday to Mike Hogan, the Duval County supervisor of elections, Jacksonville City Council member Brenda Priestly Jackson writes that she be withdrawing as a candidate for District 10.
Judgeโs ruling signaled win for plaintiffs in Jacksonville redistricting suit. But could things backfire?
Read full article: Judgeโs ruling signaled win for plaintiffs in Jacksonville redistricting suit. But could things backfire?The Jacksonville City Council canceled a special meeting that was set for Wednesday where they planned to discuss hiring an outside attorney to fight a judgeโs ruling in a lawsuit on newly-drawn district lines, but apparently, the cityโs General Counsel Office has already obtained legal representation.
Failed plan to privatize JEA inspires case study by delegation from African nations
Read full article: Failed plan to privatize JEA inspires case study by delegation from African nationsThe attempt to privatize JEA is now getting international attention. A delegation from African nations has visited Jacksonville to study ethics and transparency, and itโs using what happened with JEA as a case study.
Jacksonville sheriff vacated office when he moved to Nassau County, city lawyerโs draft opinion says
Read full article: Jacksonville sheriff vacated office when he moved to Nassau County, city lawyerโs draft opinion saysThe lawyer for the city of Jacksonville drafted what would have been a legally binding opinion that found Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams vacated his office when he moved from Duval County to Nassau County last year.
Civil rights groups file suit challenging Jacksonville City Councilโs redistricting map
Read full article: Civil rights groups file suit challenging Jacksonville City Councilโs redistricting mapCivil rights groups have filed a lawsuit demanding the Jacksonville City Council โstart overโ on recently approved boundary lines.
Proposed Soutel Drive liquor store halted by commission, but itโs not over yet
Read full article: Proposed Soutel Drive liquor store halted by commission, but itโs not over yetDisappointed and fed up is how some people living near Soutel Drive feel after learning another liquor store could be coming to their neighborhood.
City close to finalizing new boundaries for city council, school board districts
Read full article: City close to finalizing new boundaries for city council, school board districtsJacksonville has added more than 100,000 people in the last 10 years. The latest Census told us that and now the city has to change its boundaries for city council and school board districts.
Jacksonville City Council votes to withdraw Confederate monument removal bill
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council votes to withdraw Confederate monument removal billFollowing hours of public comment and discussion, the Jacksonville City Council voted at its meeting Tuesday evening to withdraw an ordinance to spend $1.3 million to remove a Confederate moment that sits in Springfield Park.
Jacksonville City Council members reflect on memories of Tommy Hazouri
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council members reflect on memories of Tommy HazouriDemocrat Tommy Hazouri, who served Jacksonville in one capacity or another for five decades, died Saturday following complications from a lung transplant he had last year. He was 76.
Residents, delivery drivers say Jacksonville neighborhood needs more lighting
Read full article: Residents, delivery drivers say Jacksonville neighborhood needs more lightingThe Washington Heights area along Ken Knight Drive is too dark at night and needs more lighting, according to residents and delivery drivers.
City Council passes amended version of bill addressing automatic pay raises
Read full article: City Council passes amended version of bill addressing automatic pay raisesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ After a debate that turned heated and slightly personal at times, Jacksonville city leaders approved an amended version of a bill to adjust how city council raises are handled. The original plan would have done away with automatic pay raises for council members and forced them to vote each year on whether to take salary increases. The NOPE bill stands for โNo Obligatory Pay Enlargement,โ but after a debate centered around a cost of living increase, the city council passed an amended version of the bill that removed the original language. City council salaries make up only a small part of the cityโs $1.3 billion budget. Last fall, council members approved a 4.6% increase, bringing salaries for most council members to over $52,000 a year.
Councilwoman wants to see if Clyde Drive improvements can be tied to nearby road project
Read full article: Councilwoman wants to see if Clyde Drive improvements can be tied to nearby road projectThis comes after a car crashed into a house on Clyde Drive in the Harborview neighborhood. On Monday, he pointed out his concerns as he and News4Jax walked down Clyde Drive near Brazil Road. Clyde Drive is a curved road recently repaved by the city. She has been meeting recently with people about a major road project nearby on Soutel Drive. For years, residents there have raised concerns about the safety of that road, and a major multimillion-dollar road project is planned to address the safety and speeding concerns there.
Car crashes into house; homeowner pleads for cityโs help
Read full article: Car crashes into house; homeowner pleads for cityโs helpJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A car smashed into a home early Saturday morning in the Harborview neighborhood, off Lem Turner Road. The family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money to help with the cost of repairing the home. The man told News4Jax a car driving on Clyde Drive after midnight ran off the road and right into his living room. Two and a half years ago, the family said, the same thing happened and just two weeks ago, another car went into a different house in their neighborhood. BREAKING โ a car ran into a home and smashed thru a living room in the Haborview neighborhood.
Discussion on article of impeachment against Trump; Look at Biden administration
Read full article: Discussion on article of impeachment against Trump; Look at Biden administrationJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Rick Mullaney of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Insitute joins this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonvilleโ to talk about the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump that will be sent to the Senate, as well as the ramifications and possible repercussions for continuing the impeachment process. Then, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz joins the show to talk about his views on the impeachment process and the impacts of the riot at the Capitol. Finally, Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson joins the show to talk about her views and optimism for President Joe Bidenโs administration and the historic moment of Vice President Kamala Harris being sworn in.
Council members: Lot J can be a โgame changerโ
Read full article: Council members: Lot J can be a โgame changerโJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A group of African-American community and faith leaders shared their support for the Lot J development project in a news conference Wednesday morning outside City Hall. โThere have been so many negative things said about Lot J, but this is a game-changer for Jacksonville,โ City Councilman Reggie Gaffney said. But the group gathered Wednesday pushed back against those claims, saying the Lot J project is an investment in Jacksonvilleโs Eastside and is in the best interest of the city -- and all of Northeast Florida. โLong term, itโs going to enhance the city of Jacksonville and surrounding areas because as Lot J grows, other opportunities are going to follow,โ Gaffney said. โI believe that Lot J can be a game-changer for ALL of Jacksonville,โ Newby said.
State Sen. Aaron Bean; City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson; Safe schools challenge
Read full article: State Sen. Aaron Bean; City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson; Safe schools challengeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax anchor Tom Wills is the guest host of this edition of โThis Week In Jacksonville.โState Sen. Aaron Bean discusses his new role as Florida Senate president pro tempore. Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson provides insight on Lot J, the Jaguars and the JEA investigation. And the American Civility Associationโs Amy Barnett explains how the organization is making schools safer.
2 more City Council members in quarantine after exposure to colleague with COVID-19
Read full article: 2 more City Council members in quarantine after exposure to colleague with COVID-19JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two more members of Jacksonvilleโs City Council are dealing with the realities of COVID-19 exposure. Scott Wilson told News4Jax on Monday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. We celebrated the BidenHarris win...& we quarantine & test for Covid-19 bc we care abt each other & our neighbors too. City Council was scheduled to have a regular meeting on Tuesday night, but after Wilsonโs diagnosis, the council meeting was canceled. In March, Councilman Sam Newby was one of the first public figures in Jacksonville to test positive for the coronavirus.
Consultant challenges subpoenas in JEA investigation
Read full article: Consultant challenges subpoenas in JEA investigationJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ One of Mayor Lenny Curryโs former campaign advisors is taking aim at the Jacksonville City Council committee looking into the aborted sale of JEA. Baker recently answered some questions about his involvement but refused to discuss his work as a consultant for FPL, saying that information is privileged. In an email, Bishop called the subpoena unlawful and said his client objects because the information the committee seeks is protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. โThe City Council should either withdraw or decline to enforce these patently unlawful and invalid subpoenas. If the City proceeds with enforcement of these subpoenas, Mr. Baker will be left with no choice but to seek protection from this unconstitutional intrusion in the courts,โ Bishop wrote.
Social justice committee preparing to make announcement about septic tank program
Read full article: Social justice committee preparing to make announcement about septic tank programJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A group in Jacksonville, whose sole purpose is to address racial and social inequalities in neighborhoods, is preparing to make an announcement about the septic tank program. Earlier this month, city leaders told the News4Jax I-TEAM they donโt have enough money left in the city budget to phase out hundreds of septic tanks in the Christobel neighborhood. Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson, who is chair of the Social Justice and Community Investment Committee, expressed her passion for completing the project promised to underserved neighborhoods in 1968 during the cityโs consolidation. What is more important: the health of the community or Lot J?โ said Northside resident Yah Ya Kariem. The committee chair wouldnโt go as far as to announce how much extra money is needed to complete the Christobel project or where the money will come from.
City Council passes $1.3B budget after councilman drops plan to withhold half of JSOโs budget
Read full article: City Council passes $1.3B budget after councilman drops plan to withhold half of JSOโs budgetCouncilman Garrett Dennis moved to withdraw the amendment during a meeting of City Council. โAnd the only commitment that I ask, council president, is that we have a committee in the near future to address these issues.โCity Council President Tommy Hazouri then withdrew the amendment. The amendment Dennis offered would have changed how the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office received its $484 million in funding allocated by the city. It would have allocated $234 million to the Sheriffโs Office off the bat and then release the rest in increments as the agency reports back periodically. โWeโre disappointed that the City Council chose to go with the status quo," Sampson said.
Jacksonville mayor presents $1.34B budget to City Council
Read full article: Jacksonville mayor presents $1.34B budget to City CouncilJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on Wednesday laid out his upcoming budget to the City Council, and right now, it does not call for a tax or fee increase. Some Jacksonville City Council members are already saying itโs a possibility. City Council would certainly have the ability to change that if they like.โCity Council President Tommy Hazouri and others talked about that possibility. READ: Proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2020-21 | Jacksonville mayorโs budget address to City CouncilLast yearโs budgetLast year, the mayor proposed a $1.37 billion budget. The budget approved by the City Council was $1.2 billion.
City Council announces new social justice committee in meeting with city leaders
Read full article: City Council announces new social justice committee in meeting with city leadersDuring a special Jacksonville City Council meeting on Wednesday morning, members heard from the Jacksonville Sheriff, the State Attorney and the mayor about what is ahead. Also in that meeting, a new City Council social justice committee was announced. The Committee for Social Justice will be a clearinghouse to sort though the legislation expected to be filed to bring about change and equality for all. Those unfulfilled promises include a lack of sewer service and other infrastructure neglect in the core city of Jacksonville. In fact, City Council is now talking about something theyโve been avoiding for years โ a tax increase to keep the promises.
Former Mayor Hazouri chosen as next Jacksonville City Council president despite late grab by Republicans
Read full article: Former Mayor Hazouri chosen as next Jacksonville City Council president despite late grab by RepublicansJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Former Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri on Tuesday was chosen as the next Jacksonville City Council president. According to Wilson, Republicans pressured him to break a promise to Hazouri, a Democrat, and was told if he doesnโt, he could face an uphill battle in an upcoming primary. On the Tuesday Zoom meeting that has become the way of city business during the pandemic Councilmember Brenda Priestly Jackson made the formal nomination of Vice President Hazouri. For the most part, the City Council presidency is handed down to the person who serves as Vice President the year before. Sam Newby was chosen unanimously as the next City Council Vice President.
22 subpeonas issued in City Council probe of JEA
Read full article: 22 subpeonas issued in City Council probe of JEACommittee Chairman Diamond said from the beginning of the probe earlier this year he planned to subpoena the bidders and find out who their lobbyists were. Meeting via a Zoom video conference on Tuesday, The Rules Committee unanimously approved issuing 22 subpoenas. The Rules Committee UNANIMOUSLY approved 22 subpoenas to the JEA bidders and investment banks. โHonest to God, this is embarrassing to you and JEA,โ DeFoor said last month. The committee plan to look through documents to see if JEA leadership started looking into the potential privatization of the city-owned utility before it was approved by the JEA Board of Directors.
City leaders, school board members rally behind half-cent sales tax to fix schools
Read full article: City leaders, school board members rally behind half-cent sales tax to fix schoolsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Instead of city leaders and school board members bad mouthing each other and threating lawsuits, it now seems all sides are somewhat in agreement when it comes to a new half-cent sales tax to fix Duval Countyโs dilapidated schools. Priestly Jackson said the council supports the school board and its decision. There was controversy last year when the City Council held off placing the measure on the ballot. For now, the School Board is on a wait and see approach, it all depends on what the City Council does next. While all sides seem to agree on the issue, there could be some changes once City Council begins its debate over the next month.
Would JEA board comply if City Council votes to end efforts to sell utility?
Read full article: Would JEA board comply if City Council votes to end efforts to sell utility?โYou have to talk to (JEA spokeswoman) Gina Kyle,โ JEA Chief Operating Officer Melissa Dykes said. On Thursday, Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson said she was filing an emergency resolution asking that JEA to stop plans to privatize. Her concern is when the talk of a sale started, City Council was not notified in a timely manner, which she believes that should void the entire deal. The full council could vote Tuesday night on the resolution calling for the end to the process. JEA did ask us not to air that exchange with Dykes after the meeting, saying it would make her available later.
City Council: JEA sale not a done deal
Read full article: City Council: JEA sale not a done dealCity Council member Michael Boylan called a special meeting Tuesday where the majority of council members voiced concerns about the process. During the meeting, some council members expressed concerns that most of the public believes a JEA sale is a done deal. That we are able to articulate and uphold as obligations of elected council members," Priestly Jackson said. I think that what JEA has tried to do is make it a done deal, but Im glad to see the City Council is not going to allow that," Burris said. Before any sale of JEA can take place, the City Council must approve the measure and then it would go to voters for the final say.
Should Jacksonville provide sandbags? One councilwoman thinks so
Read full article: Should Jacksonville provide sandbags? One councilwoman thinks soRELATED: Volunteers deliver sandbags to flood-prone Northside neighborhoodFor years, the low-lying, low-income neighborhood, with Ken Knight Drive homes backing up to the Ribault River, has flooded. Just in case I have to go out, I can walk out in the water," longtime Ken Knight Drive resident Velma Aiken said. Priestly Jackson said she first requested sandbags from the city and a member of the mayors staff contacted a local nonprofit to supply Ken Knight Drive residents with sandbags. Moving forward, Priestly Jackson believes the city should be supplying communities, such as Ken Knight Drive, with sandbags and other supplies. "I anticipate that my colleagues on the council and others are going to talk about the need to have sandbags available to our residents in Jacksonville," Priestly Jackson said.
Gas lines turned off at Calloway Cove Apartments
Read full article: Gas lines turned off at Calloway Cove ApartmentsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After a raging fire left three children and a mother hospitalized and 10 families homeless, the News4Jax I-TEAM has learned a gas service company had been called multiple times to the Calloway Cove Apartments to investigate gas lines. The I-TEAM learned TECO Energy was "called to investigate the smell of gas at Calloway Cove Apartments once this year and once last year." The I-TEAM asked management at the apartment complex about gas leak concerns. The Red Cross, non-profits, city, state and federal offices are all working together at this time. A spokesperson for the city said code enforcement personnel are inspecting to ensure the apartments are up to code.