What Florida’s tax rollback looks like through the eyes of one small town
When Floridians go to the polls in November to decide whether to cut themselves a break on property taxes, they may well be deciding to cut the lifeline of one of the state’s endangered species: its small towns.
ENVIRONMENT
Facing rising costs, JEA hikes electric, water rates again
For the average Jacksonville residential customer, the combined water and electric bill will rise from $231.67 to $239.83.
New law makes it easier to pave over Florida farmland
The bill’s sponsors say they’re defending Floridians’ property rights. Environmental activists say it’s the latest step the state legislature has taken to speed suburban sprawl and weaken local power to regulate zoning and environmental protections.
Florida’s most polluted river cleaned up. A company could dump wastewater into it again
At the request of a company owned by one of America’s wealthiest families, state regulators are paving the way for wastewater to flow back into the Fenholloway River
Criminal Justice
Ethics cases against 5 sheriffs are tossed. None were investigated
The allegations were rejected either for lack of legal sufficiency or “personal knowledge” by the plaintiffs, the Florida Commission on Ethics reported in a lengthy press release — a dump of 110 ethics cases involving officials from across the state.
Ricky Dixon, who lasted 30 years in scandal-marred agency, exits top Florida prison job
The prison system Dixon took over in November 2021 had been soiled by years of scandal
Florida Trib wins six first-place awards, gold medal in journalism contest
The Trib won first place in every category it entered.
EDUCATION
After politicized search process, Bell becomes UF’s president
Bell’s employment contract awards him a $2 million base salary, with the possibility of future “bonus and retention payments.”
Interim UF president’s $2 million severance an ‘unprecedented’ gift
“It’s unprecedented that an interim would get any sort of payout at the completion of their term,” one expert said.
Florida residents face fewer choices for school board elections as races go unopposed
Experts and educators point to a number of reasons why constituents do not want to run in school board member races: lack of support, financing a campaign, low pay and volunteering one’s time.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Jacksonville aviation officials prep lawsuit, accusing city of trying to ‘pickpocket’
The authority’s board of directors will meet Thursday in a special session to consider authorizing the litigation, which follows years of public and behind-the-scenes acrimony
Newly released Carrico records raise questions about altered text messages in JEA probe
New questions are being raised about newly released public records tied to Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico and a state investigation into the attempted appointment of his boss to the JEA board.
Appeals panel scrutinizes ex-JEA CEO’s bid to have conviction tossed
Ex-JEA CEO Aaron Zahn’s bid to throw out his high-profile 2024 convictions of wire fraud and conspiracy was heard in federal court in Jacksonville.
STATE GOVERNMENT
FPL parent company agrees to $150 million to end lawsuit over past controversies
Lawsuit challenges ‘unconstitutional’ ballot measure to slash Florida property taxes
‘Total victory’: Florida’s top court allows use of DeSantis’ new congressional maps
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