WEATHER ALERT
J.P. Hall Children Charities spreads holiday joy by donating thousands of toys, bikes for Clay County families
Read full article: J.P. Hall Children Charities spreads holiday joy by donating thousands of toys, bikes for Clay County familiesSanta arrived early, bringing joy to children this Christmas. The 43rd annual Christmas event, hosted by J.P. Hall Children Charities, provided thousands of toys and bikes to families in Clay County, creating an unforgettable holiday experience.
Florida Gators beat Tulane 33-8 to end 2024 season on four game win streak
Read full article: Florida Gators beat Tulane 33-8 to end 2024 season on four game win streakFlorida's win over Tulane caps off the 2024 season with an 8-5 record and marks Billy Napier's longest winning streak as Florida head coach.
Tragedy in Wisconsin sparks conversation about school safety
Read full article: Tragedy in Wisconsin sparks conversation about school safetySchool shootings have become an all-too-common occurrence in the news, and the tragedy earlier this week in Wisconsin has brought deep sorrow to another community.
Surging Sunshine State: Florida’s population tops 23.3M, growing faster than almost any other state
Read full article: Surging Sunshine State: Florida’s population tops 23.3M, growing faster than almost any other stateFlorida’s growth reflected two key issues in the Census Bureau data: international migration and population increases in the South.
Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile is coming to Central Florida, and you can be its next spokesperson
Read full article: Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile is coming to Central Florida, and you can be its next spokespersonMy hot dog has a first name, it’s O-R-L-A-N-D-O, my hot dog has a – well, that’s it, I ran out of words – but you can run out and see a piece of Americana when the famous Wienermobile visits Central Florida this month.
Small metal savior: NOAA’s DART buoy system enhances tsunami detection and forecasting
Read full article: Small metal savior: NOAA’s DART buoy system enhances tsunami detection and forecastingThe Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) system is a critical tool in the detection and real-time reporting of tsunamis.
Parent groups question Florida's $15.6 million investment in school materials database
Read full article: Parent groups question Florida's $15.6 million investment in school materials databaseThe Florida Department of Education is working with Trinity Education Group to create a singular database that allows parents, teachers, and staff the ability to access school materials. Critics say the $15.6 million price tag is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Florida state senator proposes bill to ban political, ideological flags in public schools and government buildings
Read full article: Florida state senator proposes bill to ban political, ideological flags in public schools and government buildingsA Florida state senator introduced a bill Monday aimed at preventing flags representing political viewpoints, race, sexual orientation, gender, and more from being displayed at public schools, colleges, universities, and government buildings.
Tell Us: What do you think about the state using $15M to create a system that would review school materials?
Read full article: Tell Us: What do you think about the state using $15M to create a system that would review school materials?The advocacy group Public School Defenders: Duval County (PSD) is pushing back on a statewide contract from the Florida Department of Education that would spend millions on creating a system to review educational materials.
Florida pursues charge against suspect in Trump assassination attempt for a crash after his arrest
Read full article: Florida pursues charge against suspect in Trump assassination attempt for a crash after his arrestFlorida authorities say they're pursuing a criminal case against a man accused of trying to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump for a car crash that occurred after his arrest.
Florida Theatre ranks #1 most attended venue in the region in 2024, according to Pollstar
Read full article: Florida Theatre ranks #1 most attended venue in the region in 2024, according to PollstarThe Florida Theatre was named the #1 Most Attended Venue in Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia, according to 2024 statistics released by Pollstar, a leading concert industry publication.
Private insurers approved to take more Citizens Property Insurance policies in 2025
Read full article: Private insurers approved to take more Citizens Property Insurance policies in 2025Homeowners’ insurance policies appear poised to continue flowing out of the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in 2025.
Florida Rep. Kat Kammack holds conference with bipartisan lawmakers, families of Gaza hostages
Read full article: Florida Rep. Kat Kammack holds conference with bipartisan lawmakers, families of Gaza hostagesFlorida Rep. Kat Kammack will hold a news conference with bipartisan lawmakers and the families of hostages in Gaza.
Would-be Trump assassin now charged with felony attempted murder in connection with crash that injured 6-year-old: AG
Read full article: Would-be Trump assassin now charged with felony attempted murder in connection with crash that injured 6-year-old: AGA release from the governor’s office indicated the news conference would be “on a matter of law and order” but did not offer specifics.
Civil rights attorney questions if JSO officer had right to seize gun that fired, struck man’s leg during traffic stop
Read full article: Civil rights attorney questions if JSO officer had right to seize gun that fired, struck man’s leg during traffic stopA civil rights attorney is weighing in on an incident involving a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer that left a man with a bullet hole in his leg after the gun he was carrying fired while the officer tried to remove it from his waist.
St. Johns County seeking $40 million for road improvement project aimed at tackling mounting traffic issues
Read full article: St. Johns County seeking $40 million for road improvement project aimed at tackling mounting traffic issuesFollowing the opening of Bass Pro Shops and the announcement of a new Walmart, officials moved Tuesday to push critical road improvement projects forward for state and federal funding.
Ponte Vedra Beach resident wins $1 million prize from scratch-off one week before Christmas
Read full article: Ponte Vedra Beach resident wins $1 million prize from scratch-off one week before ChristmasChristmas came early for a Ponte Vedra Beach resident who recently took home a million-dollar prize.
How accurate were forecasts during the 2024 hurricane season?
Read full article: How accurate were forecasts during the 2024 hurricane season?The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was a nail-biter to the end, keeping seasonal hurricane forecasters on the edge of their seats this past hurricane season. So how did they do in predicting the numbers?
‘Thankful to be alive’: SJC teen left paralyzed by ex-boyfriend says stabbing has changed her perspective on life
Read full article: ‘Thankful to be alive’: SJC teen left paralyzed by ex-boyfriend says stabbing has changed her perspective on lifeMadison Schemitz gave her first sit-down interview to News4JAX after a horrific attack left her paralyzed last year
Gov. DeSantis recognizes Purple Star schools, districts during news conference
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis recognizes Purple Star schools, districts during news conferenceDeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Director James “Hammer” Hartsell to recognize Purple Star schools and districts.
Florida Senate president proposes phasing out in-state tuition for ‘Dreamers’
Read full article: Florida Senate president proposes phasing out in-state tuition for ‘Dreamers’Senate President Ben Albritton on Monday suggested phasing out a decade-old law that allows some undocumented immigrant students, known as “Dreamers,” to receive in-state tuition rates at Florida universities and colleges.
Former prison guard trainee is sentenced to death for killing 5 women at a Florida bank
Read full article: Former prison guard trainee is sentenced to death for killing 5 women at a Florida bankA former prison guard trainee has been sentenced to death for the 2019 execution-style killings of five women inside a Florida bank.
Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeaways
Read full article: Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeawaysPresident-elect Donald Trump has held a wide-ranging news conference in which he took questions from reporters for the first time since winning the election.
Florida lawmakers file proposals to roll back gun control amid congressional bids
Read full article: Florida lawmakers file proposals to roll back gun control amid congressional bidsTwo Florida lawmakers, both campaigning for U.S. House seats, have recently filed bills aimed at rolling back gun control measures.
New record: Brian Thomas Jr. sets Jaguars rookie marks for yards, TDs
Read full article: New record: Brian Thomas Jr. sets Jaguars rookie marks for yards, TDsBrian Thomas Jr. capped his stellar first season with a pair of franchise records on Jacksonville’s opening drive of the game Sunday against the Jets.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office sends warning to residents as porch pirates target Keystone Heights, Middleburg
Read full article: Clay County Sheriff’s Office sends warning to residents as porch pirates target Keystone Heights, MiddleburgThe holidays are here, making packages vulnerable to theft. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to secure their deliveries.
Clay County Library partners with community to deliver 500+ books to families at Baptist Medical Center Clay
Read full article: Clay County Library partners with community to deliver 500+ books to families at Baptist Medical Center ClayThe Clay County Public Library System in Fleming Island, Florida, is collaborating with community partners to distribute over 500 books to families at Baptist Medical Center Clay’s Labor & Delivery Unit.
A Florida Navy veteran pleaded guilty to a non-violent crime in 1997. He was pardoned by President Biden this week
Read full article: A Florida Navy veteran pleaded guilty to a non-violent crime in 1997. He was pardoned by President Biden this weekA U.S. Navy veteran from Florida was one of the 39 people pardoned by President Joe Biden in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
‘Ensuring health care shouldn’t be partisan': Florida House Minority Leader urges KidCare expansion
Read full article: ‘Ensuring health care shouldn’t be partisan': Florida House Minority Leader urges KidCare expansionRep. Fentrice Driskell, Democratic Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, is urging action on the expansion of the Florida KidCare program.
Family of woman killed while trying to stop shoplifters says everything she accomplished was ‘through sheer grit’
Read full article: Family of woman killed while trying to stop shoplifters says everything she accomplished was ‘through sheer grit’The family identified the victim as Ilson Miriam Kim, 64, the Beauty Max beauty supply store owner.
UF Board of Trustees unanimously approves LaVilla site for new high-tech grad school campus in Jacksonville
Read full article: UF Board of Trustees unanimously approves LaVilla site for new high-tech grad school campus in JacksonvilleThe University of Florida’s Florida Semiconductor Institute is coming to Jacksonville's LaVilla
Florida woman charged with threatening health insurance company with 'delay, deny, depose'
Read full article: Florida woman charged with threatening health insurance company with 'delay, deny, depose'A Florida woman has been charged with threatening her health insurance provider after police say she uttered the same words found on the bullet casings used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Jacksonville director’s thriller based on Florida serial killer hits theaters
Read full article: Jacksonville director’s thriller based on Florida serial killer hits theatersA chilling true-crime thriller directed by Jacksonville’s own Warren Skeels makes its debut in theaters nationwide tonight, Friday the 13th.
UF Board of Trustees to vote on LaVilla site for new high-tech grad school campus in Jacksonville
Read full article: UF Board of Trustees to vote on LaVilla site for new high-tech grad school campus in JacksonvilleThe University of Florida’s Florida Semiconductor Institute is coming to Jacksonville's LaVilla
Florida condo safety guidelines are disrupting the real estate market, leading to surge in sales
Read full article: Florida condo safety guidelines are disrupting the real estate market, leading to surge in salesNew safety guidelines for condominiums in Florida are causing significant disruptions in the real estate market.
UNLV hires former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen as its new football coach
Read full article: UNLV hires former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen as its new football coachUNLV is reaching into the Southeastern Conference to keep momentum going for its 24th-ranked football team by hiring former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen on Thursday.
Publix offers fresh flavored popcorn, burritos, and pizza at new Florida location
Read full article: Publix offers fresh flavored popcorn, burritos, and pizza at new Florida locationPublix has opened a new store in Palm Beach County, offering a variety of new features, such as beer on tap, flavored popcorn, burritos, pizza, pasta and more.
Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater wants to return his high school alma mater to glory. But he has to beat Raines first
Read full article: Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater wants to return his high school alma mater to glory. But he has to beat Raines firstTeddy Bridgewater has turned Miami Northwestern into a force to be reckoned with, having won more games this season than the previous two combined.
Florida CFO announces launch of study to see how gold, silver can be used as legal tender
Read full article: Florida CFO announces launch of study to see how gold, silver can be used as legal tenderFlorida’s chief financial officer announced the launch of a study to see how gold and silver can be used as money in the state.
Most crowded holiday destinations revealed, including a Florida favorite
Read full article: Most crowded holiday destinations revealed, including a Florida favoriteWhile many may be heading “over the river and through the woods” to grandma’s house for the holidays, plenty of families prefer to venture away from home to see festive sights.
River City Plus: Leah Rae Yawn joins us with tips to keep skin glowing during the winter.
Read full article: River City Plus: Leah Rae Yawn joins us with tips to keep skin glowing during the winter.Zjones Productions produces theatrical stage productions in the city of Jacksonville. This product produces stage plays that displays "real life" events from a biblical to personal perspective.
Florida has highest burglary rate this time of year, FBI data shows
Read full article: Florida has highest burglary rate this time of year, FBI data showsFlorida leads the nation with more than 88 reported burglaries per 100,000 people. That’s nearly four times the national average of 22.5 per 100,000.
Right whales make early winter appearance off Amelia Island
Read full article: Right whales make early winter appearance off Amelia IslandFlorida’s coast is welcoming its first right whales of the winter season. New images from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirm sightings near Amelia Island, including a mother whale with her calf and two adult females.
Violent robberies targeting USPS workers are on the rise. The one valuable thing they are searching for
Read full article: Violent robberies targeting USPS workers are on the rise. The one valuable thing they are searching forU.S. Postal Service workers are facing a dangerous trend. According to new data, violent robberies are up nearly 30%.
St. Johns County man wins $1M from a scratch-off ticket purchased at Jacksonville Beach Publix
Read full article: St. Johns County man wins $1M from a scratch-off ticket purchased at Jacksonville Beach PublixA St. Johns County gas resident won a $1 million prize from the 500X The Cash Scratch-Off game.
Dreaming of an 80-degree Christmas in Jacksonville? It might be a long shot this year
Read full article: Dreaming of an 80-degree Christmas in Jacksonville? It might be a long shot this yearCould visions of highs in the 80s be in the forecast for Jacksonville this Christmas? It’s happened before, but don’t bank on it this year.
List🎄🎅: Here are the best Christmas light displays & events around Northeast Florida
Read full article: List🎄🎅: Here are the best Christmas light displays & events around Northeast FloridaAre you ready to get into the Christmas spirit? News4Jax has compiled a list of the best light displays and events around our area.
The cost of Florida home insurance is stabilizing. Here’s when homeowners could start saving money
Read full article: The cost of Florida home insurance is stabilizing. Here’s when homeowners could start saving moneyThe cost of home insurance in Florida was a hot topic at this year’s Florida Chamber of Commerce Insurance Summit in Orlando.
26% of downtown Jacksonville office space was vacant in 2023, far more than other big Florida cities
Read full article: 26% of downtown Jacksonville office space was vacant in 2023, far more than other big Florida citiesVacancies are on the rise in the heart of Jacksonville, according to Downtown Vision, Inc.’s (DVI) 2024 State of Downtown Report, which was released last week.
News4JAX wins 2 Emmys during the 48th Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards 2024
Read full article: News4JAX wins 2 Emmys during the 48th Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards 2024Two News4JAX stories have won Regional Emmy awards, the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Saturday.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: High-powered Ole Miss, Duke to meet in 80th game
Read full article: TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: High-powered Ole Miss, Duke to meet in 80th gameDuke and Ole Miss will meet in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a solid ACC-SEC matchup that pits a pair of nine-win teams in the 80th game at EverBank Stadium.
Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida
Read full article: Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in FloridaThe president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Florida prosecutor seeks to clear records of people charged with buying police-made crack in 1980s
Read full article: Florida prosecutor seeks to clear records of people charged with buying police-made crack in 1980sA Florida prosecutor says he will seek to vacate as many as 2,600 convictions of people who bought crack cocaine manufactured by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office between 1988 and 1990.
A mother and her unborn twins died just after Thanksgiving. Now the family is rallying for the surviving children
Read full article: A mother and her unborn twins died just after Thanksgiving. Now the family is rallying for the surviving childrenA family is looking to turn the holidays around for two children after their mother and siblings died.
‘I didn’t get elected so I can hobnob’: Councilmember explains why he didn’t attend party on Shad Khan’s yacht
Read full article: ‘I didn’t get elected so I can hobnob’: Councilmember explains why he didn’t attend party on Shad Khan’s yachtCouncilmember Jimmy Peluso made headlines when he declined an invitation to a holiday party hosted aboard Jaguars team owner Shad Khan’s 410-foot yacht, the Kismet.
Newborn thought to be found on side of SJC road was surrendered at fire station by mother instead: SJSO
Read full article: Newborn thought to be found on side of SJC road was surrendered at fire station by mother instead: SJSOA woman brought a baby to a St. Johns County fire station Friday afternoon after she found the newborn inside a box on the side of a road, according to the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department.
Jury rules manufacturer should pay $310 million to family of teen who fell to his death from Orlando FreeFall
Read full article: Jury rules manufacturer should pay $310 million to family of teen who fell to his death from Orlando FreeFallOn Thursday, an Orange County jury ruled the family of Tyre Sampson will be given $310 million, $155 million each to the father and mother, according to our sister station WKMG in Orlando.
Officials thank veterans for serving as poll workers this election, encourage them to serve again in the future
Read full article: Officials thank veterans for serving as poll workers this election, encourage them to serve again in the futureOfficials gathered Thursday morning outside the USS Orleck Pier to thank veterans and their families for their volunteer service as poll workers.
An architect of Project 2025 is pressuring Republican senators to confirm Pete Hegseth
Read full article: An architect of Project 2025 is pressuring Republican senators to confirm Pete HegsethThe Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025, is reemerging with a campaign to back President-elect Donald Trump's imperiled Cabinet selections.
Ohio mom accused of leaving her three young children at a Florida Welcome Center
Read full article: Ohio mom accused of leaving her three young children at a Florida Welcome CenterAn Ohio mother of three is now facing three counts of child abuse after Nassau County deputies said she left her three young children by themselves at a Florida welcome center.
New Florida bill would nix controversial plans to bring golf courses, lodges to 9 state parks
Read full article: New Florida bill would nix controversial plans to bring golf courses, lodges to 9 state parksMonths after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration introduced controversial plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks, a Stuart lawmaker filed a measure to make such proposed changes off-limits.
State mandate minus funding only intensifying Jacksonville’s homelessness crisis, mayor says
Read full article: State mandate minus funding only intensifying Jacksonville’s homelessness crisis, mayor saysMayor Donna Deegan said funding is a key issue in the push to help people who are experiencing homelessness.
The Associated Press’ top photos of 2024 from the US
Read full article: The Associated Press’ top photos of 2024 from the USIn 2024, U.S. photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
UNF awarded grant for coastline restoration in Florida, Georgia
Read full article: UNF awarded grant for coastline restoration in Florida, GeorgiaThe University of North Florida (UNF) has been awarded nearly $800,000 by the National Park Service (NPS) to enhance efforts in restoring coastlines and combating shoreline erosion at three national parks in Florida and Georgia
4 Floridians guilty of defrauding Medicare of $54.3 million, paying kickbacks and bribes for unnecessary prescriptions
Read full article: 4 Floridians guilty of defrauding Medicare of $54.3 million, paying kickbacks and bribes for unnecessary prescriptionsFour individuals defrauded Medicare out of $54.3 million using a healthcare fraud scheme by paying kickbacks and bribes to telemarketers and telemedicine providers to secure orders for unnecessary medical prescriptions, which were billed to Medicare; one location was in Jacksonville.
VIDEO: Bodycam footage shows St. Johns County deputy jumping into water to rescue women trapped inside car
Read full article: VIDEO: Bodycam footage shows St. Johns County deputy jumping into water to rescue women trapped inside carThe St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday released bodycam footage showing a deputy rescuing two women trapped inside a car submerged in a body of water in St. Augustine.
Teachers, firefighters, officers till struggling to ‘live local’ in Northeast Florida
Read full article: Teachers, firefighters, officers till struggling to ‘live local’ in Northeast FloridaA new report from the Florida Policy Institute reveals Live Local Act might not be cutting it for some professions, like educators, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
A sinkhole may have swallowed a Pennsylvania woman. What are sinkholes and how do they form?
Read full article: A sinkhole may have swallowed a Pennsylvania woman. What are sinkholes and how do they form?Authorities fear a woman in western Pennsylvania who disappeared while looking for her cat may have been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by mine subsidence.
Trump, DeSantis attend memorial services held for 3 Palm Beach deputies who died in collision
Read full article: Trump, DeSantis attend memorial services held for 3 Palm Beach deputies who died in collisionHeavy hearts and profound sadness this morning as family members, friends, fellow police officers, fire rescue, first responders, and the community come together to remember these brave individuals who were killed in a tragic accident in Palm Beach County.
Trump’s pick to run the DEA withdraws his name from consideration. Trump says he pulled the plug
Read full article: Trump’s pick to run the DEA withdraws his name from consideration. Trump says he pulled the plugDonald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration says he's withdrawing his name from consideration.
Florida’s Momentum EXPLODES: Elite Safety Hylton Stubbs Flips from Miami | Gators ‘Building Something Special’
Read full article: Florida’s Momentum EXPLODES: Elite Safety Hylton Stubbs Flips from Miami | Gators ‘Building Something Special’David Waters and Will Miles discuss the major recruiting win for Florida as safety Hylton "Drake" Stubbs flips his commitment from Miami to the Gators.
‘Best team assembled’ by the Jaguars officially eliminated from playoff race
Read full article: ‘Best team assembled’ by the Jaguars officially eliminated from playoff raceJacksonville’s best team ever assembled is currently tied for the league’s worst record with the Raiders and Giants and was officially eliminated from the playoffs on Monday night.
Oakleaf High School among multiple Florida schools locked down after being targeted by ‘swatting’ calls
Read full article: Oakleaf High School among multiple Florida schools locked down after being targeted by ‘swatting’ callsOakleaf High School was briefly placed on lockdown on Tuesday while the Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated an “unconfirmed threat” to the school.
UNF physics professors awarded nearly $600K to help advance research of dark matter
Read full article: UNF physics professors awarded nearly $600K to help advance research of dark matterScientists know dark matter exists, but they can’t see it. Now, researchers at the University of North Florida will take a closer look thanks to a grant.
6-year-old boy who lost part of his skull in Gaza bombing arrives in Jacksonville for medical care
Read full article: 6-year-old boy who lost part of his skull in Gaza bombing arrives in Jacksonville for medical careA 6-year-old boy who lost part of his skull in a recent Israeli bombing in Gaza will arrive in Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon to begin his medical and rehabilitation journey.
St. Augustine’s ‘Giving Machine’ offers unique charitable donations during holiday season
Read full article: St. Augustine’s ‘Giving Machine’ offers unique charitable donations during holiday seasonIn the spirit of giving, St. Augustine has rolled out a unique charitable act that can reach those in need across the world.
Orange Park man looking to ‘feel normal’ again seeks closure after hit-and-run crash on I-295
Read full article: Orange Park man looking to ‘feel normal’ again seeks closure after hit-and-run crash on I-295In the state of Florida, over 100,000 hit-and-run crashes happened just last year. And that was actually down 1% from 2022. Hit-and-run crashes in 2023 resulted in 271 fatalities and 871 serious bodily injuries, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.