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<\/a>Jacksonville leaders seek historic recognition for the Main Street Bridge, a landmark spanning decades.<\/p>\n2025-881, introduced by Republican Matt Carlucci<\/strong> and sponsored by six colleagues at this writing, expresses \u201cstrong support\u201d for that designation.<\/p>\n The Council can\u2019t do it alone, of course. And that\u2019s why they want the Planning Department, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Department of Public Works to work together on submitting a nomination.<\/p>\n The bridge, per the resolution, \u201cis one of Jacksonville\u2019s most iconic and enduring civic landmarks, prominently featured in the city\u2019s skyline since its opening in 1941.\u201d It \u201cexemplifies Depression-era engineering excellence as a steel vertical lift bridge\u201d and is the only one of its type left in the state.<\/p>\n The Main Street Bridge has also drawn $100 million in state investment, including a repainting project in 2028.<\/p>\n Wouldn\u2019t it be great if it got its props from the feds before the paint dries?<\/p>\n Artwalk talk<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, there\u2019s much more to Downtown than the Main Street Bridge and history.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the monthly Artwalk, the Downtown Vision production, looking to close out 2025 on a high note.<\/p>\n That\u2019s tonight, and with the rain finally out of the area and temperate, clear weather in place, there\u2019s no reason we can see to miss it.<\/p>\n Especially if you have a Christmas List to fulfill.<\/p>\n Per Downtown Vision, this month\u2019s iteration \u201cwill bring festive energy to Downtown Jacksonville with holiday shopping, live music, art exhibitions, seasonal treats and special programming across participating businesses and venues, including a holiday market produced by Vagabond Flea along Laura Street.\u201d<\/p>\n Board boost<\/strong><\/p>\n With Florida\u2019s Museum of Black History<\/strong><\/a> soon taking shape in St. Johns County, state lawmakers are moving closer to setting up a Board to run it.<\/p>\n Sen. Tom Leek\u2019s<\/strong> Senate Bill 308<\/strong><\/a>, which would create an Administrative Board to oversee the museum\u2019s construction, operation and administration, advanced through the Community Affairs Committee on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Leek noted the bill was familiar to the panel and the Senate at large. It passed unanimously in the 2025 Session.<\/p>\n The Board should be in place by the beginning of August.<\/p>\n The Governor, the Senate President, and the House Speaker would appoint three members of the Board, which would also have two Senators and two Representatives. None of the nine members picked by leadership could hold elected office while serving.<\/p>\n The new Board would also work alongside the Foundation for the Museum of Black History to manage funding, programming and long-term planning \u2014 a partnership intended to guarantee both transparency and sustainability for the institution.<\/p>\n Fetal justice<\/strong><\/p>\n The House Judiciary Committee<\/strong><\/a> advanced a bill Tuesday that\u2019s drawing familiar foes from last year\u2019s abortion debate.<\/p>\n This time, the legislation would expand Florida\u2019s Wrongful Death Act so parents could collect damages if their unborn child dies, no matter at what stage of development the fetus is.<\/p>\n Rep. Sam Greco\u2019s<\/strong> HB 289<\/strong><\/a> passed through Committee with a 14-6 vote down party lines.<\/p>\n \u201cI ask you to support this bill to support those mothers, to support those parents in the worst moments of their life when they have no other recourse,\u201d said Greco<\/strong><\/a>, a St. Augustine Republican, before the vote, as he described unborn children dying in car crashes as an example of the cases that could be brought under the bill.<\/p>\n To fall under the Wrongful Death Act, the circumstances would need to be a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract or other factors, he said.<\/p>\n Greco stressed mothers could not be found liable for their own unborn child\u2019s death and medical providers couldn\u2019t be sued unless they were negligent and caused the fetus\u2019 death.<\/p>\n But Democrats and other advocates said they feared the bill could be weaponized in various ways.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have grave concerns about the real-world impacts of this overly broad bill,\u201d said Kara Gross<\/strong><\/a>, interim political director of the ACLU of Florida<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cGiven that approximately one in four pregnancies end in a miscarriage, this bill is ripe for abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n Choice Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n The St. Johns County Commission has a new leader.<\/p>\n The Board of County Commissioners voted to appoint District 3 Commissioner Clay Murphy<\/strong><\/a> as the new Chair at least for the next year. He\u2019s replacing District Commissioner Krista Joseph<\/strong> as Chair. The Board made the Chair selection at the conclusion of its regular meeting at the County Administration Building in St. Augustine on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Murphy\u2019s district represents the southeast portion of St. Johns County. It includes portions of the western area of St. Augustine and an extensive stretch of the coastline from St. Augustine Beach to the Flagler County line.<\/p>\n Murphy was a Florida Highway Patrol trooper for 26 years before being elected, and he owns a Sonny\u2019s BBQ restaurant in St. Johns County.<\/p>\n More money<\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps the Duval County School District is in better financial shape than previously thought.<\/p>\n The specter of a $100 million debt has been slightly reduced, per CFO Ron Fagan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cThat original $100 million was basically looking at your prior years \u2026 we kept seeing a fund balance continuing to go down. At the same time, [COVID-era funding] was getting ready to go away,\u201d Fagan said to Jacksonville Today<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cWe were projecting, if we continue with this trend, we\u2019re going to have a $50 [million] to $70 million problem.\u201d<\/p>\n The cash crunch comes as the district looks to continue consolidating schools, many of which were built during segregation to accommodate keeping students of different races separate.<\/p>\n Art school<\/strong><\/p>\n Chronic absenteeism is surging nationwide, with more than 30% of students chronically absent in 20 states, double pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n Lucy Chen of The 74<\/strong><\/a> cites research showing that one of the most effective solutions is also among the most overlooked: arts education. Studies reveal that schools offering music and arts programs see lower absenteeism, higher attendance and dramatically reduced dropout rates.<\/p>\n Cathedral Arts Project<\/strong><\/a> is a Jacksonville initiative backed by the Florida Department of Education, which reached more than 400 students in charter, homeschool, military and crisis-care settings, boosting confidence, resilience and engagement.<\/p>\n Families reported stronger social interaction and improved behavior at home.<\/p>\n With many alternative-education students lacking access to arts programs, Florida\u2019s model shows how structured creative learning can strengthen achievement and keep students connected to school.<\/p>\n Brand awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n The longtime Jacksonville lobbying shop The Fiorentino Group is rebranding as The Florida Group<\/strong><\/a>, marking a significant milestone as the firm opens a new Riverside office and approaches its 25th year.<\/p>\n Founder Marty Fiorentino<\/strong> said the change reflects the team\u2019s statewide growth, adding, \u201cWe are still TFG, and I\u2019m not going anywhere,\u201d while Managing Partner Joe Mobley<\/strong> continues in his role.<\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody<\/strong> praised the move, saying, \u201cI know his team will continue to bolster the success of his clients and our great state of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n The firm\u2019s long-standing reputation in Tallahassee and Washington drew additional commendations. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean<\/strong> said he valued TFG\u2019s \u201chard work, honesty and knowledge of the process,\u201d and Senate President-designate Jim Boyd<\/strong> called the group \u201ca fixture in Florida politics for nearly a quarter century.\u201d Mobley led the firm\u2019s rebrand effort, introducing a refreshed logo he described as \u201cthe sun rising on TFG 2.0.\u201d<\/p>\n House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison<\/strong> congratulated the firm, while Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan<\/strong> said TFG\u2019s political acumen benefits governments \u201cfrom City Hall to the Capitol.\u201d The firm is also expanding its expertise, elevating Davis Bean<\/strong> to lead its congressional delegation practice and Melissa Langley Braude<\/strong> to chair its growing local government relations work.<\/p>\n City Council Vice President Nick Howland<\/strong> praised Braude\u2019s promotion as a \u201cfantastic choice,\u201d citing her deep understanding of city issues. Bean added that the team \u201cworks thoughtfully and methodically,\u201d predicting continued growth as The Florida Group begins its next chapter.<\/p>\n Kiss the chef<\/strong><\/p>\n Jacksonville gourmets may have reason to celebrate soon.<\/p>\n Per the Florida Times-Union<\/strong><\/a>, the Culinary Institute of America could be coming to town.<\/p>\n \u201cMany companies and organizations are considering an expansion into Jacksonville, and the Culinary Institute of America is among them,\u201d city spokesperson Phillip Perry<\/strong> told reporter David Bauerlein<\/strong>. \u201cThere have been a couple preliminary discussions with city leaders, but nothing beyond that is concrete at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n Jacksonville could be the fifth campus.<\/p>\n Finding forever homes<\/strong><\/p>\n Some 15 children were fortunate enough to find homes in St. Johns County as part of the National Adoption Day commemoration there.<\/p>\n The 15 kids were adopted in the past year in St. Johns County, and the county marked the progress during a ceremony on Nov. 21 at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center. Judges, community partners, families who adopted the children and local dignitaries took part in the event. St. Johns County Clerk of Courts Brandon J. Patty <\/strong>anchored the event with St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold <\/strong>addressing the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cSupporting children adopted from foster care is a community effort,\u201d Arnold said. \u201cWhen a child finds a permanent, loving home, it strengthens families, neighborhoods, and our entire county.\u201d<\/p>\n Shawna Novack<\/strong>, CEO of the Family Integrity Program and Director of St. Johns County Health and Human Services, said the county is fortunate to have so many families that open their homes to children up for adoption.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Family Integrity Program is built on the belief that children and families thrive when their support system is local, connected, and compassionate,\u201d Novak said. \u201cBy bringing essential services together under one roof, we ensure families experience a seamless and supportive path to adoption. Every child deserves permanency, stability, and love \u2014 and we are honored to help make that possible.\u201d<\/p>\n The event ended with Circuit Judge Christopher Ferebee<\/strong> presiding over hearings on the formal adoptions of several children.<\/p>\n Won\u2019t you be my neighbor?<\/strong><\/p>\n Many residents of the First Coast would like to be the neighbors of many needy people across the region as they take part in Mr. Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood Sweater Drive<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Organizers say several charitable and commercial partners will come together Dec. 10 to deliver an estimated 10,000 cold-weather clothes and goods to needy families across the Northeast Florida area. The organized charitable effort will deliver those goods to many families.<\/p>\n Mr. Rodgers\u2019 Neighborhood Sweater Drive also highlights the commitment of many commercial outlets in the First Coast region to needy causes. The number of companies and nonprofits taking part is impressive for the 23rd annual event.<\/p>\n The companies and outlets taking part include WJCT Public Media, Suddath Moving & Storage, VyStar Credit Union, Tom Bush Family of Dealerships and Humana Healthy Horizons in Florida. Employees and officials with those companies will travel throughout the area to deliver sweaters, jackets and blankets to nonprofit organizations such as Clara White Mission and the City Rescue Mission beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 10.<\/p>\n Turkey Trot<\/strong><\/p>\n Palm Coast\u2019s effort to increase community participation in the growing coastal community extended to Thanksgiving Day, in record fashion.<\/p>\n The Palm Coast annual Feet to Feast 5K Run and Walk drew more participants than ever this year on Thursday. One thousand one hundred seventy-eight runners and walkers took part in what is now becoming a Thanksgiving morning tradition. The course of the event runs from the Daytona State College Palm Coast campus near the Intracoastal Waterway to Hammock Bridge with a return trip.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing quite like waking up on Thanksgiving morning and celebrating together as a community,\u201d said Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston<\/strong>, whose family participates in Feet to Feast every year. \u201cTo see more than a thousand people come together \u2014 running, walking, laughing, and making memories \u2014 perfectly reflects what this holiday is all about. It\u2019s one of my favorite Palm Coast traditions, and I\u2019m grateful to experience it alongside my family and our residents year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n The overall winners included Mark Shannon,<\/strong> who placed first in the men\u2019s division and Hanna Ielfield,<\/strong> who took the top place in the women\u2019s field.<\/p>\n Beach-driving deal<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing like a drive on the beach in sunny, sandy coastlines in Florida, and St. Johns County is now selling passes for extended access in that coastal county.<\/p>\n Preseason yearly beach-driving passes are now on sale in the county and cost $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents. Americans with Disabilities Act passes go for $40. Passes are required for the prime months of beachgoing in St. Johns County from March 1 through Sept. 30.<\/p>\n<\/a>Downtown Jacksonville\u2019s Artwalk returns tonight with festive shopping, live music, local art and holiday energy. Image via Downtown Vision. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Tom Leek advances the oversight Board for Florida\u2019s Museum of Black History as construction planning accelerates.<\/p>\n<\/a>Sam Greco pushes bill expanding wrongful-death claims for unborn children, sparking renewed partisan debate.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Clay Murphy becomes St. Johns County Commission Chair, bringing law enforcement experience and coastal representation.<\/p>\n<\/a>Duval schools shrink projected deficit as CFO Ron Fagan outlines revised outlook amid consolidation.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Arts education reduces absenteeism as Jacksonville\u2019s Cathedral Arts Project boosts student engagement and resilience.<\/p>\n<\/a>The Fiorentino Group rebrands as The Florida Group, expanding statewide influence and celebrating new leadership.<\/p>\n<\/a>Culinary Institute of America explores Jacksonville expansion, offering food lovers hope for a new campus.<\/p>\n<\/a>Brandon Patty highlights St. Johns County adoptions as families celebrate permanency during National Adoption Day.<\/p>\n<\/a>Mr. Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood Sweater Drive readies 10,000 winter items for families across Northeast Florida.<\/p>\n<\/a>Palm Coast\u2019s Feet to Feast 5K breaks records as families celebrate Thanksgiving with community spirit.<\/p>\n