INSIDER
NYC bans unusual practice of forcing tenants to pay real estate brokers hired by landlords
Read full article: NYC bans unusual practice of forcing tenants to pay real estate brokers hired by landlordsTenants searching for an apartment in New York City have long been forced to pay thousands of dollars to real estate brokers.
City of St. Augustine invites community input about ‘Vision Plan’ update through an online survey
Read full article: City of St. Augustine invites community input about ‘Vision Plan’ update through an online surveyThe City of St. Augustine is inviting residents to share their feedback and vision for the future of the City through an online survey as they revisit the 2014 Vision Plan.
Street art pops up throughout Paris, adding some Olympic color to major landmarks
Read full article: Street art pops up throughout Paris, adding some Olympic color to major landmarksParis is getting a colorful splash of Olympic creative spirit with nearly 30 vibrant street art pieces, popping up at bustling metro stations and airports and in front of city hall.
Report: Differences between gay and straight spouses disappear after legalization of gay marriage
Read full article: Report: Differences between gay and straight spouses disappear after legalization of gay marriageSame-sex spouses were typically younger and were more likely to be employed than those in opposite-sex marriages, although many of those differences disappeared after the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.
‘We’ve come a long way’: Jacksonville honors women who served for Women’s Veteran’s Recognition Week
Read full article: ‘We’ve come a long way’: Jacksonville honors women who served for Women’s Veteran’s Recognition WeekThe city of Jacksonville is bringing awareness to Women’s Veterans Recognition Week.
JFRD awards 9 scholarships to student-athletes, future firefighters
Read full article: JFRD awards 9 scholarships to student-athletes, future firefightersThe Fire Chief Scholarship is privately funded and pays for students’ tuition for EMT school and helps them receive the mentoring and training they need to succeed.
Real Madrid celebrates another Champions League title with its fans on streets of Spanish capital
Read full article: Real Madrid celebrates another Champions League title with its fans on streets of Spanish capitalFor the second time in three seasons Real Madrid has been celebrating a Champions League title with its fans on the streets of the Spanish capital.
NYC's rat-hating mayor, Eric Adams, is once again ticketed for rats at his Brooklyn property
Read full article: NYC's rat-hating mayor, Eric Adams, is once again ticketed for rats at his Brooklyn propertyNew York City’s rat-hating mayor has once again been ticketed for a rat infestation at his Brooklyn property.
Mom of Jacksonville college student killed in 2023 asks community to stop turning a blind eye to violent crime
Read full article: Mom of Jacksonville college student killed in 2023 asks community to stop turning a blind eye to violent crimeThe City of Jacksonville will hold a special event commemorating Victims’ Rights Week at City Hall Monday morning.
Black immigrant rally in NYC raises awareness about racial, religious and language inequities
Read full article: Black immigrant rally in NYC raises awareness about racial, religious and language inequitiesBlack immigrants have turned out in the hundreds across from a City Hall, drawing attention to racial inequities in the city’s shelter and immigrant support systems.
As conflict worsens in eastern Congo, 2 armed groups pledge to respect civilians
Read full article: As conflict worsens in eastern Congo, 2 armed groups pledge to respect civiliansRepresentatives of two armed groups in Congo signed solemn pledges this week to both their violence-wracked country and the wider world: We will do better to respect and protect civilians.
Jacksonville appoints special committee to help homelessness, affordable housing
Read full article: Jacksonville appoints special committee to help homelessness, affordable housingThe city of Jacksonville is trying to find more housing and local groups are trying to help and state lawmakers are trying to find solutions too.
‘Enough is Enough’: Jacksonville letter carriers march downtown, bring awareness to recent attacks
Read full article: ‘Enough is Enough’: Jacksonville letter carriers march downtown, bring awareness to recent attacksOver 300 people rallied in downtown Jacksonville to bring community awareness to the recent attacks against mail carriers on Saturday.
San Francisco apologizes to Black residents for decades of racist policies
Read full article: San Francisco apologizes to Black residents for decades of racist policiesSupervisors in San Francisco have formally apologized to African Americans and their descendants for the city’s role in perpetuating racism and discrimination.
Parisians vote to hit SUVs with eye-popping parking costs in latest green drive before Olympics
Read full article: Parisians vote to hit SUVs with eye-popping parking costs in latest green drive before OlympicsParisians have voted to muscle SUVs off the French capital’s streets by making them much more expensive to park starting next September.
City of Jacksonville Beach abruptly closes Monday after ‘information systems issues’
Read full article: City of Jacksonville Beach abruptly closes Monday after ‘information systems issues’The City of Jacksonville Beach announced Monday that it will temporarily shut down due to an information systems issue and has shut down all business for the day.
NYC mayor vetoes bills banning solitary confinement in jails and expanding reporting of police stops
Read full article: NYC mayor vetoes bills banning solitary confinement in jails and expanding reporting of police stopsNew York City’s mayor has vetoed bills aimed at banning solitary confinement in city jails and requiring more transparency in police encounters with civilians.
New York City is suing charter bus companies for transporting migrants from Texas
Read full article: New York City is suing charter bus companies for transporting migrants from TexasNew York City is suing more than a dozen charter bus companies for their role in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s operation to send tens of thousands of migrants to urban areas.
Paris City Hall plaza draws holiday visitors and migrant families seeking shelter as Olympics nears
Read full article: Paris City Hall plaza draws holiday visitors and migrant families seeking shelter as Olympics nearsThe forecourt of Paris City Hall sparkles with activity this holiday season, including a Christmas market and huge signs advertising the 2024 Olympics.
Migrant families rally for end to New York’s new 60-day limits on shelter stays
Read full article: Migrant families rally for end to New York’s new 60-day limits on shelter staysMigrant families and their advocates marched outside New York City Hall on Tuesday to demand Mayor Eric Adams end his plan to limit the number of days newly arrived immigrants can remain in city-run shelters.
Jill Stein launches a long-shot Green Party presidential campaign, bringing back memories of 2016
Read full article: Jill Stein launches a long-shot Green Party presidential campaign, bringing back memories of 2016Environmental activist Jill Stein is launching another long-shot Green Party bid for the presidency.
‘We cannot afford to lose any more family’: Hundreds gather at Jacksonville City Hall to show support for Palestine
Read full article: ‘We cannot afford to lose any more family’: Hundreds gather at Jacksonville City Hall to show support for PalestineHundreds of people gathered at City Hall Saturday to support Palestine amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
Russia says it has foiled a major Ukraine drone attack as concerns grow over Kyiv's weapons supplies
Read full article: Russia says it has foiled a major Ukraine drone attack as concerns grow over Kyiv's weapons suppliesRussia says its air defenses shot down 31 Ukrainian drones in a nighttime attack on border regions.
Supporters of reparations for Black residents urge San Francisco to push forward
Read full article: Supporters of reparations for Black residents urge San Francisco to push forwardMore than 200 people rallied outside San Francisco's City Hall to urge supervisors to act on reparations for Black residents.
NYC mayor wants more aid from the Biden administration to offset $12B in costs for housing migrants
Read full article: NYC mayor wants more aid from the Biden administration to offset $12B in costs for housing migrantsWith thousands of migrants still arriving in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams is renewing his appeal to the federal government to help the city avert a budgetary crisis as expenses mount.
10 arrested during investigation after shooting at James Weldon Johnson Park, sheriff says
Read full article: 10 arrested during investigation after shooting at James Weldon Johnson Park, sheriff saysTen individuals — most between the ages of 15 and 17 — were arrested after an investigation into a shooting at James Weldon Johnson Park in Downtown Jacksonville, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced Tuesday.
LIVE: Jacksonville City Council to discuss $1.7 billion budget, choose top priorities Tuesday
Read full article: LIVE: Jacksonville City Council to discuss $1.7 billion budget, choose top priorities TuesdayMayor Donna Deegan presented her $1.7 billion budget to the Jacksonville City Council earlier this month.
Atlanta project decried as 'Cop City’ gets funding approval from City Council
Read full article: Atlanta project decried as 'Cop City’ gets funding approval from City CouncilThe Atlanta City Council has approved funding for the construction of a proposed police and firefighter training center, rejecting the pleas of hundreds of activists who packed City Hall and spoke for hours in fierce opposition to the project they decry as “Cop City.”.
'Stop Cop City' activists pack Atlanta City Hall ahead of crucial vote
Read full article: 'Stop Cop City' activists pack Atlanta City Hall ahead of crucial voteHundreds of activists are at Atlanta’s City Hall ahead of a council vote over whether to approve tens of millions in public funding for a police and firefighter training center.
California reparations task force dives into what is owed
Read full article: California reparations task force dives into what is owedCalifornia's first-in-the-nation task force studying reparations for Black residents is meeting in Oakland to discuss potential eligibility requirements and what form reparations could take.
City of Jacksonville holds annual Quilt Ceremony at City Hall
Read full article: City of Jacksonville holds annual Quilt Ceremony at City Hall“With more than 10,000 people in Duval County living with AIDS, we are grateful to recognize and honor them today and everyday,” the City of Jacksonville said.
Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack indicted on federal charge
Read full article: Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack indicted on federal chargeA man already in custody in last month’s attack on the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping.
Suspect in assault at Pelosi home had posted about QAnon
Read full article: Suspect in assault at Pelosi home had posted about QAnonThe man accused of breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s home and severely beating her husband with a hammer appears to have made racist and often rambling posts online, including some that questioned the results of the 2020 election, defended Donald Trump and echoed QAnon conspiracy theories.
$53 for 4 hours: High cost of parking near City Hall, federal courthouse causes concern
Read full article: $53 for 4 hours: High cost of parking near City Hall, federal courthouse causes concernJacksonville’s downtown is undergoing some changes with new development, but there is one problem that’s going to get worse as the city’s core grows — parking.
'Gladiator' actor Russell Crowe feted in Rome
Read full article: 'Gladiator' actor Russell Crowe feted in RomeRussell Crowe, who won a best actor Academy Award for portraying a gladiator in the 2000 film of the same name, is being feted by the city of Rome, home to the Colosseum where real gladiators clashed before thousands of spectators through the time of the Roman Empire.
Demonstrators decry rising costs of rent in Jacksonville
Read full article: Demonstrators decry rising costs of rent in JacksonvilleLocal activist groups including Florida Rising, Florida For All and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee gathered for a rally Tuesday evening in front of City Hall, speaking out against rising rent costs.
Women Veterans Recognition Week: Ceremony honoring women in military for service, contributions held Monday
Read full article: Women Veterans Recognition Week: Ceremony honoring women in military for service, contributions held MondayThe 78th anniversary of D-Day this year also falls at the beginning of Women Veterans Recognition Week in Jacksonville. This marks the ninth year of the event in the city.
Mothers who’ve lost children to gun violence make a plea to state and local leaders
Read full article: Mothers who’ve lost children to gun violence make a plea to state and local leadersMothers living in Northwest Jacksonville who are fed up with gun violence took to the steps of City Hall on Tuesday.
Supreme Court rules against Boston in Christian flag case
Read full article: Supreme Court rules against Boston in Christian flag caseA unanimous Supreme Court has ruled that Boston violated the free speech rights of a conservative activist when it refused his request to fly a Christian flag on a flagpole outside City Hall.
Affordable housing protest in Jacksonville disrupted when city workers throw props away
Read full article: Affordable housing protest in Jacksonville disrupted when city workers throw props awayAn affordable housing rally downtown was disrupted on Sunday when city workers took props from the rally and threw them away.
'Undisguised terror': Russia's Kharkiv strike chills Ukraine
Read full article: 'Undisguised terror': Russia's Kharkiv strike chills UkraineThe dust, debris and the dead lying in Kharkiv’s central Freedom Square are showing Ukrainians what might become of other cities if Russia’s invasion isn’t countered in time.
San Francisco reports big increase in anti-Asian hate crimes
Read full article: San Francisco reports big increase in anti-Asian hate crimesSan Francisco's police department has released preliminary figures showing a 567% increase in reported hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the previous year.
France pushes vaccination campaign as virus cases increase
Read full article: France pushes vaccination campaign as virus cases increaseAuthorities in France want to accelerate vaccinations against the coronavirus before Christmas as infections surge and more people with COVID-19 seek medical attention.
Group offers proposal to keep Confederate statues, add others to honor all cultures
Read full article: Group offers proposal to keep Confederate statues, add others to honor all culturesA group in favor of keeping Confederate monuments in Jacksonville took to the steps of City Hall on Friday to offer a proposal to keep the current statues and add others to honor all cultures.
Activists demand Jacksonville City Council reinstate Safer Together committee
Read full article: Activists demand Jacksonville City Council reinstate Safer Together committeeThe Jacksonville Community Action Committee on Tuesday afternoon joined together with other local organizations for a rally, demanding the Jacksonville City Council reinstate its “Safer Together” committee.
City’s remaining Confederate monuments take spotlight in public comment during Council meeting
Read full article: City’s remaining Confederate monuments take spotlight in public comment during Council meetingFor weeks, the Northside Collation of Jacksonville has been pressing the city follow through with the removal of all remaining Confederate monuments, and on Tuesday, the organization held another rally outside City Hall.
Rally calls for removal of all Confederate monuments in Jacksonville
Read full article: Rally calls for removal of all Confederate monuments in JacksonvilleAbout two dozen people with the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville gathered Tuesday at City Hall to call for the removal of all Confederate monuments in the city.
Group rallies at City Hall to call for removal of Confederate monument at Springfield Park
Read full article: Group rallies at City Hall to call for removal of Confederate monument at Springfield ParkMembers of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and other people rallied Wednesday at City Hall to call for the removal of a Confederate monument.
City Hall struck by gunfire during 1 of 2 overnight shootings in Jacksonville
Read full article: City Hall struck by gunfire during 1 of 2 overnight shootings in JacksonvilleCity Hall was struck by gunfire during one of two shootings early Sunday morning in Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Two artworks chosen for display in London's Trafalgar Square
Read full article: Two artworks chosen for display in London's Trafalgar SquareA sculpture symbolizing Britain’s complex colonial ties and an artwork featuring the faces of 850 transgender people are set to go on display in Trafalgar Square, one of London’s highest-profile venues for public art.
San Jose to require gun owners to carry liability insurance
Read full article: San Jose to require gun owners to carry liability insuranceSan Jose officials have passed the first law in the country that requires gun owners to carry liability insurance and pay a fee to cover taxpayers’ costs associated with gun violence.
Faith, political leaders unite in rally against antisemitism
Read full article: Faith, political leaders unite in rally against antisemitismFaith leaders, celebrities and lawmakers across the political spectrum are condemning a rise in antisemitic incidents around the world triggered by the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers.
Gas tax bill to spotlight Wednesday morning’s special City Council meeting
Read full article: Gas tax bill to spotlight Wednesday morning’s special City Council meetingAhead of a special forum to discuss a proposed local option gas tax in Duval County, the Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday heard from members of the public during a town hall meeting at City Hall.
‘Pleasant surprise’: Crews remove trash piled up along Ken Knight Drive
Read full article: ‘Pleasant surprise’: Crews remove trash piled up along Ken Knight DrivePeople who live along Ken Knight Drive in the Washington Heights neighborhood no longer have to walk out their door and see and smell piles of trash that they said went uncollected for a long period of time.
Flag at City Hall lowered in honor of former St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner
Read full article: Flag at City Hall lowered in honor of former St. Augustine Mayor George GardnerThe city of St. Augustine on Sunday lowered the American flag at City Hall to half-staff in honor of former Mayor George Gardner.
Police say 1 arrested in attack on Jewish men in Los Angeles
Read full article: Police say 1 arrested in attack on Jewish men in Los AngelesLos Angeles police have announced the arrest of a suspect in an alleged attack by a pro-Palestinian group on Jewish men outside a restaurant earlier in the week.
City Council audience cleared after school name-change advocates disrupt meeting
Read full article: City Council audience cleared after school name-change advocates disrupt meetingA joint meeting between the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School board was recessed just after starting Friday morning due to a disturbance.
Coaches call for more funding to better secure Jacksonville parks during football games
Read full article: Coaches call for more funding to better secure Jacksonville parks during football gamesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Following gunfire at a youth football game in Mandarin, a Jacksonville City Councilman called for a discussion about park safety Monday night at City Hall. Inside the council chambers, several youth football coaches voiced their concerns. “Nothing is going to be done until a child dies,” said Shawn Fountain, athletic director with Westside Football League. By News4Jax count, there have been two incidents involving shots fired during Jacksonville-area youth football games in the past year. RELATED: Parents react to gunfire at youth football jamboreeDetectives said more than 500 players and spectators were in attendance at the Mandarin Athletic Association football jamboree but no injuries were reported.
Portland mayor seeks $2 million to stem rampant gun violence
Read full article: Portland mayor seeks $2 million to stem rampant gun violence(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File)PORTLAND, Ore. – The mayor of Portland, Oregon, announced Thursday he would seek $2 million in one-time funding for police, other agencies and outreach programs to try to stem rampant gun violence in the city. The move by Mayor Ted Wheeler represents an about-face after city leaders in June voted to cut nearly $16 million from the police budget, reductions that included the elimination of a gun violence reduction unit. During an hour-long news conference Thursday, Wheeler, activists, faith leaders and community members reiterated that in order to solve the problem of gun violence, the community must work together. Wheeler said the tactic is not the same as the now-eliminated Gun Violence Reduction Team and would be more transparent. Wheeler said he supports the ideas, beginning with asking City Council to appropriate $2 million in one-time fiuds from the city’s reserve stability contingency account created last fall, to address gun violence.
Food fight: Meat-free school meals spark furor in France
Read full article: Food fight: Meat-free school meals spark furor in FranceFILE - In this Jan.18, 2019 file photo, French President Emmanuel Macron meets pupils as he visits a school canteen in Saint-Sozy, southwestern France. With a meatless four-course meal that Lyon City Hall says will be quicker and easier to serve to children who must be kept socially distanced while eating lunch to avoid coronavirus infections. With more local elections expected later this year, the arguing over Lyon's school meals offered a foretaste of broader political battles to come. Lyon City Hall said serving the same meal to all children, instead of offering them their usual meat and meat-free options, would shorten the time they take for lunch. City Hall said it also opted for meat-free meals because they suit all children, including those who habitually don't eat meats for religious, dietary or other reasons.
What is the future of development in downtown Jacksonville? This group will help decide
Read full article: What is the future of development in downtown Jacksonville? This group will help decideJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There are new questions this week about the future of downtown Jacksonville. Two years ago when the city blew up old City Hall, it was supposed to be a catalyst of major downtown development. “You can’t have a plan just for downtown and not have a plan holistically for the city,” said Timothy Sloan. While these are just some of the ideas, the group plans to meet again in two weeks and begin the process of recommendations. The Downtown Investment Authority will look at the shipyards, the former Jacksonville Landing site and other projects that are set to happen but have been delayed.
Community groups opposed to ‘anti-mob’ bill want to hear from Jacksonville’s mayor
Read full article: Community groups opposed to ‘anti-mob’ bill want to hear from Jacksonville’s mayorJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Community organizations rallied Saturday at Jacksonville’s City Hall, calling on city leaders to speak out against “anti-mob” legislation proposed by Gov. It’s an ongoing fight over House Bill 1, which would increase penalties for violent protests in Florida. Organizations against its passing say they need to hear where city leaders stand on this. RELATED: Jacksonville Mayor: Violent demonstrators ‘do not represent our city’The controversial proposal is pitting those who people believe First Amendment rights are being threatened against others who believe the increased penalties are a way to combat public disorder. And those who organized or funded violent protests would be treated as members of an organized crime group.
Florida Capitol security remains strong ahead of Inauguration Day
Read full article: Florida Capitol security remains strong ahead of Inauguration DayAdditional security precautions remain in effect and will continue at least through Wednesday’s Presidential Inauguration. “If you pose a threat to public safety, we will come for you. On Sunday, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey praised the Governor for sending national guardsmen to protect the Capitol. “I know that he cares for the safety of Tallahassee and the Capitol Complex as much as I do as well,” said Dailey. According to the City of Tallahassee, no one has requested a permit to demonstrate on Inauguration Day.
Flagler Beach City Hall closed after city manger tests positive for COVID-19
Read full article: Flagler Beach City Hall closed after city manger tests positive for COVID-19After the Flagler Beach City Manager tested positive for coronavirus Thursday, the city made the decision to shut down City Hall and the City’s Building Department. City staff will work remotely until then. “While I am feeling mild effects of the virus, I am resting, upbeat and following the advice of medical professionals. I will remain quarantined at home until I can fully recover and return to work when it is absolutely safe to do so,” Interim City Manager Rick McFadden wrote in a press release. While the facilities are closed, those who need to contact City Hall can call (386) 517-2000 and leave a voicemail.
AP VoteCast: Georgia voters’ view of country’s outlook shifts after November
Read full article: AP VoteCast: Georgia voters’ view of country’s outlook shifts after NovemberTrends and opinions among Georgia voters appear to be shifting since the November election, according to AP VoteCast, which surveys thousands of voters in the state before the presidential race and during the Senate runoffs. One question asked voters whether they believed the country was heading in the right direction. Looking at attitudes toward President Trump among voters choosing Republicans: In the November election, 89% of Perdue’s voters said they had a very or somewhat favorable opinion of the president, in the AP VoteCast survey. Compare that to the results of the AP VoteCast survey for the runoff: Among Perdue voters, views of the president remained similar, with 87% favorable to 12% unfavorable. But I would expect there will be a large chunk of voters who will step away after what they witnessed this week.”
Neptune Beach city buildings close due to COVID-19 outbreak
Read full article: Neptune Beach city buildings close due to COVID-19 outbreakNEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – The city of Neptune Beach has closed City Hall and Public Works Buildings to the general public due to a COVID-19 virus outbreak among employees and altered operations to keep working. Mayor Elaine Brown said the city was forced to take action to protect the public and employees from the virus. According to City Manager Stefen Wynn, nearly every department of the City has been affected by positive cases of the virus, including top city officials. He emphasized that the services provided by the city are essential and although the city has closed its buildings to the public, those services will continue uninterrupted. Nine Neptune Beach officers were quarantined last summer after two tested positive for COVID-19.
Council members: Lot J can be a ‘game changer’
Read full article: Council members: Lot J can be a ‘game changer’JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 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. “There have been so many negative things said about Lot J, but this is a game-changer for Jacksonville,” City Councilman Reggie Gaffney said. But the group gathered Wednesday pushed back against those claims, saying the Lot J project is an investment in Jacksonville’s Eastside and is in the best interest of the city -- and all of Northeast Florida. “Long term, it’s going to enhance the city of Jacksonville and surrounding areas because as Lot J grows, other opportunities are going to follow,” Gaffney said. “I believe that Lot J can be a game-changer for ALL of Jacksonville,” Newby said.
VIRUS TODAY: Health experts warn against holiday gatherings
Read full article: VIRUS TODAY: Health experts warn against holiday gatheringsWith some Americans now paying the price for what they did over Thanksgiving, health officials are warning people begging them, even not to make the same mistake during the Christmas and New Year's season. Andrew Cuomo has ended indoor dining indefinitely in New York City as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations climb. As of Monday, only takeout orders and outdoor dining will be allowed in one of the world’s great cuisine capitals. THE NUMBERS: Deaths in the U.S. have climbed to almost 2,260 per day on average, about equal to the peak seen in mid-April. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Mayor Curry backs out of Christmas tree lighting ceremony amid vulgar Lot J protest
Read full article: Mayor Curry backs out of Christmas tree lighting ceremony amid vulgar Lot J protestJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The controversial Lot J project is still taking center stage even though the Jacksonville City Council has decided to not vote on the project until next month. Protesters shouted outside City Hall to City Council members, Curry and others, upset that the city is even considering spending over $233 million on the entertainment complex. Inside, City Council was meeting and it was expected the council would take up the Lot J issue and possibly take a vote on the matter. The lack of action by City Council tonight was seen by many observers as a good step. And while City Council is going on a holiday break, they might hold another special meeting this week to take up questions.
Students return to NYC schools once more after virus closure
Read full article: Students return to NYC schools once more after virus closurePublic schools reopened for in-school learning Monday after being closed since mid-November. Public school doors reopened for preschool students and children in kindergarten through fifth grade whose parents chose a mix of in-school and remote learning. Overall, the city counts about 1 million public school students; most have opted to learn from home this fall. Masks and social distancing are required at all city schools. About 190,000 students were eligible to return to school buildings starting Monday.
Crowds gather for local parades as COVID-19 cases climb
Read full article: Crowds gather for local parades as COVID-19 cases climbJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Florida reported its third consecutive day of more than 10,000 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, large crowds gathered for events across Jacksonville. Organizers asked parade-goers to socially distance and encouraged them to wear masks. News4Jax saw groups both wearing masks and not wearing masks and most tried to keep their distance from one another, but some spots along the parade route did get more congested. “We are still going to try and have some fun but yes, definitely going to maintain some distance from everyone,” Taylor Self said. The Florida Department of Health reported 10,431 new cases of COVID-19 in the state on Saturday with 494 new cases in Duval County.
Jacksonville police ready to keep fans, peaceful protesters safe this weekend
Read full article: Jacksonville police ready to keep fans, peaceful protesters safe this weekendJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s going to be a busy weekend in Jacksonville for those hoping to enjoy some fun sporting events downtown and for those with a more serious agenda. A peaceful rally is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday at City Hall -- just 30 minutes before kickoff of the annual Georgia-Florida game at TIAA Bank Field. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the events to keep everyone safe, and police are also monitoring any potential unrest surrounding the election results. pic.twitter.com/PN76rsfxRn — NAACP (@NAACP) November 6, 2020Jefferson said people should be hesitant to believe things, especially in a random text message, but they should also be aware. Those coming for any of the sporting events this weekend are encouraged to still come early, despite smaller crowds due to COVID-19 and stadium capacity limits.
Long wait for Hawaii vote spurs call for more voter centers
Read full article: Long wait for Hawaii vote spurs call for more voter centersFILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, a long line of people waiting to vote stretches around City Hall on Election Day, in Honolulu. Overall, the state’s vote-by-mail election appears to have been a big success, leading to record numbers of voters participating. The law also gives voters the option to vote in person at voter service centers, where people may also register to vote or get help with casting a ballot. Ma said people waited between two to four hours on Tuesday at the two voter centers on Oahu, an island with about 549,000 registered voters. Another factor was people who view voting in person on Election Day as sacrosanct and something they wanted to do.
New this week: 'This Is Us,' Baby Yoda, 'The Craft' redone
Read full article: New this week: 'This Is Us,' Baby Yoda, 'The Craft' redone(NBC via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIES— Many things will be different about Halloween this year, but the annual rush of horror films is much the same. It stars Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku as a Sudanese refugee couple finding new horrors in life in England. But Neon, the “Parasite” distributor, last week put a restored version into theaters and on Tuesday brings it to VOD. One is Natalie Margolin “The Party Hop,” which she wrote during quarantine in one week in early April.
Masked pope, faith leaders pray for peace and pandemic's end
Read full article: Masked pope, faith leaders pray for peace and pandemic's endPope Francis lights a candle for peace during an inter-religious ceremony for peace in the square outside Rome's City Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)ROME – A masked Pope Francis welcomed religious leaders to a socially-distanced interfaith peace prayer Tuesday, appealing for a unified international effort to work for peace and an end to the coronavirus pandemic. “The pandemic is reminding us that we are blood brothers and sisters,” they said in a joint appeal issued at the end of the service. For weeks, Francis has shunned facemasks in his public and private audiences despite a surge in COVID-19 cases across Italy and even inside Vatican City. The service was organized by the Rome-based Sant’Egidio Community, which each year organizes an interfaith peace prayer in the spirit of the first one of its kind, celebrated by St. John Paul II in Assisi in 1986. In the past week 11 Swiss Guards and a resident of the hotel where Francis lives have tested positive.
Alexie, Pilkey books among most 'challenged' of past decade
Read full article: Alexie, Pilkey books among most 'challenged' of past decadeFILE - In this Oct. 10, 2016 file photo, author and filmmaker Sherman Alexie appears at a celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day at Seattle's City Hall. Alexie is included in a list of authors who wrote books that were among the 100 most subjected to censorship efforts over the past decade, as compiled by the American Library Association. All wrote books that were among the 100 most subjected to censorship efforts over the past decade, as compiled by the American Library Association. The association does not formally count the number of times books are actually removed from a library shelf or from a school reading list. “There are actually two lines of objections to the Anne Frank diary,” Caldwell-Stone says.
Grassroots groups want City Council to reject JSO budget, re-allocate funds
Read full article: Grassroots groups want City Council to reject JSO budget, re-allocate funds“The major problems involve racial issues, the city budget and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.”The activists want more oversight from the City Council of JSO’s budget spending. “The city council should establish new methods to evaluate how effectively JSO is spending the lion’s share of our city funds,” said Ben Frazier, founder of the Northside Coalition. The city has broken promises and ignored the needs of Black neighborhoods for more than 50 years.”In addition to that demand, the groups say the City Council should:Create a police accountability council to review police investigations. “The People’s Budget calls on the city to reallocate and reinvest money from the proposed half-billion dollar budget for JSO,” said Christina Kittle with the JCAC. That budget will be voted on by City Council before the end of the month.
NYC passes austere budget that cuts $1B from NYPD
Read full article: NYC passes austere budget that cuts $1B from NYPDCritics of the deal said the billion dollar cut wasn’t a billion dollar cut at all. Council Speaker Corey Johnson said when the budget deal was announced Tuesday that it wasn't what he had hoped for, and lamented he hadn't been unable to negotiate a bigger police budget cut. De Blasio said details were being worked out, but the Education Department would train the agents. Money would go instead to education, social services in communities hit hard by the virus, and summer youth programs for over 100,000 people. Before the virus hit, de Blasio proposed a more than $95 billion spending plan for the budget year that starts Wednesday.
Historical statues that have come down: A list
Read full article: Historical statues that have come down: A listStatues that have stood for years -- and in some cases, decades -- have been top of mind all across the country as protests take place following the deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks.
Jacksonville City Hall reopens with restrictions
Read full article: Jacksonville City Hall reopens with restrictionsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Most city offices in Jacksonville were scheduled to reopen Monday morning for the first time since shutting down for the pandemic in March. But City Hall, the Ed Ball building, JEA offices and the Tax Collector’s Office downtown did not reopen Monday or Tuesday after weekend protests shook the city. On Wednesday, City Hall reopened but left some offices closed to the public, including the City Council Chambers and the offices of City Council members. People entering City Hall will be screened by an infrared thermometer. Jacksonville City Hall reopened Wednesday morning but not all offices are open to the public.