{"id":549988,"date":"2026-01-28T20:56:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/549988\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T20:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:56:23","slug":"jacksonville-bold-for-1-28-26-smoking-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/549988\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Bold for 1.28.26: Smoking gun"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/771268-donna-deegan-administration-cleared-in-state-attorney-gun-registry-probe\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>James Uthmeier<\/strong><\/a> says his ongoing probe of a list of Jacksonville gun owners who carried weapons into a local government building is almost complete.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And he takes issue with State Attorney <strong>Melissa Nelson <\/strong>for missing the mark in her own report on the controversy, which absolved the administration of Mayor <strong>Donna Deegan<\/strong> of legal responsibility for the practice that has drawn scrutiny from the right.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWe are investigating this. We\u2019ll have more to announce soon,\u201d Uthmeier said in St. Johns County.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEEGAN-UTHMEIER-GOOD-EDIT-copy-2-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEEGAN-UTHMEIER-GOOD-EDIT-copy-2-640x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"267\"  \/><\/a>Donna Deegan faces renewed scrutiny as James Uthmeier signals an update on Jacksonville gun registry probe, disputing Melissa Nelson\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI think a local State Attorney concluded that it was a lower-level staff person who didn\u2019t know what they were doing. You know, most everybody here knows that ignorance of the law is not typically a defense. So, I do believe what happened was wrong and unlawful. We\u2019re taking a hard look at it. We\u2019ll have some updates soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 4th Circuit State Attorney\u2019s Office (SAO) concluded late last year that while Jacksonville officials were guilty of \u201cpoor communication and a lack of legal review, not from deliberate misconduct\u201d regarding a registry of people carrying guns into <a href=\"https:\/\/dtjax.com\/poi\/city-hall\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>City Hall<\/strong><\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/dtjax.com\/poi\/yates-building\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Yates Building<\/strong><\/a>, there is no ground for criminal charges related to the practice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gov. <a href=\"http:\/\/flgov.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ron DeSantis<\/strong><\/a> and others have pilloried the <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/736060-gun-registry-showdown-planned-in-jacksonville-city-council-committee\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>gun registry<\/strong><\/a> as a violation of constitutional rights by the <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/737951-donna-deegan-says-she-didnt-know-city-employee-issued-directive-to-set-up-controversial-gun-registry\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Deegan<\/strong><\/a> administration. The \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Check-Points-and-Perimeter-Security-6_30_2023-UPDATE-002_Redacted.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Check Points and Perimeter Security<\/strong><\/a>\u201d memo from facility manager <strong>Mike Soto<\/strong> was drafted on June 30, 2023, during the transition between the outgoing <strong>Lenny Curry <\/strong>administration and Deegan\u2019s incoming group. It was revised in July after Deegan assumed office.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nelson\u2019s office notes that the city \u201cstopped the practice immediately once it was discovered,\u201d but not before memorializing \u201cmore than 140 entries recording the names, birth dates, ID numbers, and firearm types of over 100 individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Senate run<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/769952-angie-nixon-still-mulling-political-future-as-2026-nears\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Angie Nixon<\/strong><\/a> couldn\u2019t wait until a rally in her hometown of Jacksonville on Sunday to announce her next move.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nixon says she is running for the U.S. Senate, ending months of speculation about her next move.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She enters a race where the Democratic nomination may be in reach, but a General Election win against incumbent U.S. Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/elections\/senate\/FL\/2026\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ashley Moody<\/strong><\/a> would seem to be a tall task. Nixon will be up against the state\u2019s Republican registration advantage, Moody\u2019s proven prowess in statewide races, and the nearly $4 million Moody has on hand as of her most recent campaign finance report.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NIXON-BLUE-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-775594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NIXON-BLUE-640x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"267\"  \/><\/a>Angie Nixon launches U.S. Senate bid, slamming Ashley Moody\u2019s appointment and the GOP leadership.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">After a statewide listening tour in recent months, Nixon said Republicans, independents and Democrats all told her the same thing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cWe can\u2019t afford to go on like this. But these establishment politicians, including Ashley Moody, aren\u2019t listening to us. Meanwhile, the cost of everything is exploding,\u201d she said, referring to groceries, health care, child care, property insurance and housing costs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Republicans welcomed her to the campaign.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAngie Nixon\u2019s radical agenda and toxic divisiveness are a gift to Republicans,\u201d said Florida GOP Chair <strong>Evan Power.<\/strong> \u201cFloridians reject this extremism. Sen. Ashley Moody will continue championing safe borders, strong schools, low taxes, and family values.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Tweet, tweet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FLSheriffs\/status\/2015786878327300371\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-776651\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SHERIFF-TWEET-640x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"475\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anheuser-busch.com\/newsroom\/anheuser-busch-investing-in-jacksonville-facilities-to-drive-local-economic-growth\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-772047\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Jacksonville_600x400_V2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Nassau knockdown<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chief Financial Officer <a href=\"https:\/\/myfloridacfo.com\/about\/meet-the-cfo\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Blaise Ingoglia<\/strong><\/a> blasted Nassau County government for excessive spending late last week, becoming the latest municipal government in the crosshairs of his self-proclaimed government watchdog crusade.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ingoglia has already ripped about a dozen county and municipal governments in the past year for what he says is \u201cexcessive and wasteful spending.\u201d He held a news conference on Wednesday in Fernandina Beach, the county seat of Nassau County in Northeast Florida. <a href=\"https:\/\/myfloridacfo.com\/news\/pressreleases\/press-release-details\/2026\/01\/21\/chief-financial-officer-blaise-ingoglia-announces-over--53-million-in-nassau-county-budget-as--excessive--wasteful-spending\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>He unloaded<\/strong><\/a> on the county\u2019s handling of budgetary issues and claimed county government officials had excessively spent more than $53 million.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cfo-speaking-at-press-conference.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776653 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cfo-speaking-at-press-conference-640x426.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\"  \/><\/a>Blaise Ingoglia criticizes Nassau County spending \u2014 calling $53 million \u2018excessive\u2019 during Fernandina Beach news conference amid budget growth concerns statewide.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cTaxpayers throughout Florida are tired of their locally elected officials wasting their hard-earned money on government bloat. The amount of excessive, wasteful spending in Nassau County announced (Wednesday) is yet another example that the growth in government is wasteful in itself,\u201d Ingoglia said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAs CFO, I will keep bringing transparency to Floridians and holding local governments accountable for overtaxing their citizens. With each review of a local government, we are proving that real tax relief is not only possible but necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ingoglia said Nassau County\u2019s general fund budget skyrocketed in the past half-decade, climbing by $96.2 million since the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Meanwhile, Nassau County\u2019s population has grown \u201conly\u201d by 16,597 people, Ingoglia lamented.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Museum movement<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bill that would affirm St. Johns County as the site of a future <a href=\"https:\/\/dos.fl.gov\/historical\/museums\/blackhistorytaskforce\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Florida Museum of Black History<\/strong><\/a> and set up its Board is again advancing in the Legislature\u2019s upper chamber.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Members of the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee voted unanimously for the measure (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/308\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SB 308<\/strong><\/a>), which faces one more Committee stop before reaching a floor vote.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It\u2019s substantively the same bill the Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/731269-new-black-history-museum-for-st-johns-county-gets-senate-blessing\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>passed unanimously<\/strong><\/a> last year, which subsequently stalled out in the House.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/St-Johns-County-Black-History-Museum.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-756012 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/St-Johns-County-Black-History-Museum-640x426.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\"  \/><\/a>Legislation advancing in the Senate would establish St. Johns County as the future home of Florida Museum of Black History.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">St. Augustine Sen. <strong>Tom Leek <\/strong>and Jacksonville Rep. <strong>Kiyan Michael <\/strong>\u2014 both Republicans \u2014 are carrying the legislation again this Session.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If passed, SB 308 and its House twin (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flhouse.gov\/Sections\/Bills\/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=83139&amp;SessionId=113\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HB 525<\/strong><\/a>) would codify a prior recommendation by the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force to select St. Johns County as the preferred site for a future museum.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It would also create a new section of Florida law establishing the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors, which would oversee the facility\u2019s planning, construction and operation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Governor, Senate President and House Speaker would appoint Board members. Except for two Senators and two Representatives who would serve in ex officio capacities, members would not be able to hold any other elected or appointed office.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">St. Johns County was the top-ranked site among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wlrn.org\/arts-culture\/2024-04-19\/opa-locka-chosen-as-potential-site-for-floridas-first-black-history-museum?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>three finalists<\/strong><\/a> for the museum chosen in April 2024, followed by Eatonville in Orange County and Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County. Last June, the Legislature <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/742109-budget-conference-1m-locked-in-for-black-history-museum-in-st-augustine\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>earmarked $1 million<\/strong><\/a> for the planned project in St. Johns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Reproductive rights<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Democratic Legislative leaders filed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/1308\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Reproductive Freedom Act<\/strong><\/a> to dramatically roll back Florida\u2019s abortion restrictions and establish a statutory right to reproductive health care.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Senate Minority Leader Designate Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/tag\/tracie-davis\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tracie Davis<\/strong><\/a>, of Jacksonville, and House Minority Leader Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/tag\/fentrice-driskell\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Fentrice Driskell<\/strong><\/a>, of Temple Terrace, filed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/1308\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SB 1308<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/1151\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HB 1151<\/strong><\/a> on the 53rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Driskell-Davis-BLUE.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-775446 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Driskell-Davis-BLUE-640x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"  \/><\/a>Fentrice Driskell and Tracie Davis file legislation expanding reproductive health care rights and rolling back Florida abortion restrictions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The legislation declares a \u201cfundamental right to reproductive health care,\u201d including abortion, contraception, fertility services, and pregnancy-related care, and would prohibit the state from interfering with an individual\u2019s access to those services. The proposals also specify that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus \u201cdoes not have independent rights under the laws of this state.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The measures would also bar state and local law enforcement agencies from penalizing, prosecuting, or taking adverse action against individuals for obtaining reproductive health care or for aiding another person in doing so. They would also provide civil immunity to individuals who obtain or assist with reproductive care and prohibit local governments from adopting more restrictive regulations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bills also repeal several existing statutes, including provisions related to the use of state funds, medical conscience protections for health care providers and payors, and restrictions on consent for specific medical procedures.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baptistjax.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-760844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Baptist_Wolfson-ad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Oath oof<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A bill that would require teachers to say loyalty oaths from Sen. <strong>Clay Yarborough<\/strong> is in trouble, as it doesn\u2019t have the votes to get through its first Committee, the Senator told the <a href=\"https:\/\/floridaphoenix.com\/briefs\/teacher-nonpartisan-oath-bill-postponed-before-first-committee-hearing\/?emci=7184eb3d-99f8-f011-8d4c-0022482d279b&amp;emdi=c4af2df2-1ff9-f011-8d4c-0022482d279b&amp;ceid=408812\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Florida Phoenix<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If passed, new hires would have to affirm the language in the oath starting in July. In contrast, those employed before July would have one year to subscribe to the language, except for college teachers, who would have to do so during tenure review or other performance evaluations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/YARBOROUGH.webp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776657 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/YARBOROUGH-640x480.webp.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"  \/><\/a>Clay Yarborough\u2019s proposal requiring teacher loyalty oaths stalls, lacking votes to advance through its first Committee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The oath is as follows.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified for employment as a member of the school personnel in this state; that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a member of the school personnel in a professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics; that I will foster a respectful learning environment for all students which promotes critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yarborough\u2019s bill is a companion to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/147\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HB 147<\/strong><\/a>, sponsored by Rep. <strong>Tom Fabricio<\/strong> of Miami-Dade.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Senator had filed an amendment, but the bill wasn\u2019t even heard last week, so that may be moot.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Vax vexation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2026\/1756\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SB 1756<\/strong><\/a>, a wide-ranging \u201cmedical freedom\u201d proposal also filed by Yarborough, is advancing to its second Committee after receiving the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Committees\/Show\/HP\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Health Policy<\/strong><\/a> panel\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But even supporters said the bill needed more fine-tuning before the floor, raising questions about whether the final version of this legislation will be much different from the iteration that appeared Monday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cParents need to be in the driver\u2019s seat,\u201d the Jacksonville Republican said of his attempt to bolster parental rights.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SESSION-LAST-DAY-1-Large.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-735977 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SESSION-LAST-DAY-1-Large-640x427.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\"  \/><\/a>Gayle Harrell raises concerns as vaccine legislation advances, warning changes could weaken herd immunity protections.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bill, which Yarborough says \u201cmakes great strides to ensure Florida parents can make educated medical decisions for their children,\u201d would prohibit the state health officer from mandating vaccines during public health emergencies, expand religious and conscience-based exemptions for school entry, and require new parental acknowledgment forms before minors receive vaccines.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">An amendment offered by Sen. <strong>Gayle Harrell<\/strong> that would require parents to talk to doctors before raising religious or conscientious objections was rejected, leading her to vote no.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Parents who choose to have their children vaccinated, said Yarborough, must have information available on the risks and the benefits. As of the end of 2024, nearly 89% of children had gotten their shots.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The legislation would also allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin, stored behind the counter, without a prescription and allow parents to request spaced-out vaccine schedules for their children, changes that public health advocates say could weaken uniform immunization standards. An amendment offered by Harrell and adopted on Monday provides civil and criminal immunity for that course of treatment for physicians as well.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yarborough said that ivermectin, when used at the appropriate dose, is \u201cwell-tolerated\u201d according to the Food and Drug Administration.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The debate revealed divisions within the Committee over this legislation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThis presents a great deal of angst in me,\u201d said Republican Harrell, saying herd immunity is under threat given that only 81% of kindergarten students are vaccinated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Harrell warned that polio could return just as measles has.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sen. <strong>Rosalind Osgood<\/strong>, a Democrat, lauded Yarborough\u2019s \u201cintent\u201d but said the policy implications of the bill, including for her minority-majority district, give her pause, given that families she represents live close together, sharing space, air, and responsibility.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meanwhile, Sen. <strong>Ralph Massullo<\/strong>, a doctor by trade, said he\u2019d support the bill but wanted Yarborough to include more information to educate parents about their health options.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThis is a step in the process. I\u2019d like to see it much better going forward,\u201d Massullo, a Republican, said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Chair <strong>Colleen Burton<\/strong> also tentatively supports the bill but worries that the legislation could expose children to illness from unvaccinated individuals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Chat circuit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Deegan is scheduling another round of meetings with constituents to discuss policy in various neighborhoods across the city during February and March.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Per a release from her office, the first-term Democrat will \u201cdiscuss her administration\u2019s efforts to make housing and health care more affordable, shore up underserved neighborhoods, and improve infrastructure across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEEGAN.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776658 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEEGAN-640x427.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\"  \/><\/a>Donna Deegan to address residents during neighborhood meetings focused on housing, health care, and infrastructure priorities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">All meetings begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The first one, on Feb. 3, is at William Raines Senior High School.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Feb. 17, Deegan will go to Westside High School.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The meetings continue through the end of March at various schools.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/votekirwan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-760845\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/kirwan-ad-640x426.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Builder business<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Northeast Florida Builders Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/nefba.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>NEFBA<\/strong><\/a>) has selected its new President for 2026.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">NEFBA chose<strong> Scott Brannock<\/strong> of Tidewater Homes to be the 82nd President of the advocacy organization for First Coast-area builders. Brannock assumed the group\u2019s mantle this week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/scott-brannock-BLUE-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776660 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/scott-brannock-BLUE-640x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"  \/><\/a>Scott Brannock is named Northeast Florida Builders Association President for 2026, succeeding outgoing leadership this week.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cIt is an incredible honor to serve as President of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. As we enter this next chapter, my focus is on honoring the leaders who built this Association while preparing NEFBA for the future,\u201d Brannock said. \u201cThrough education, advocacy, networking, and giving back, we will continue to elevate our industry, invest in the next generation of builders and trades, and strengthen the communities we serve. NEFBA is not just the largest builders\u2019 association in Florida; we are a national leader, and together, we will continue to set the standard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The NEFBA also recognized state legislators who supported the organization in the past year. The Legislator of the Year Award went to state Sen. <strong>Jennifer Bradley<\/strong>, a Fleming Island Republican. Meanwhile, Jacksonville Republican and House Speaker Pro Tempore <strong>Wyman Duggan<\/strong> was honored with the Good Government Award for his advocacy of the building industry in the Florida Legislature.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Bexley Boxes boom<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A movement to provide Florida children comfort after traumatic incidents when they are taken to law enforcement offices got a big boost Monday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2023, widow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brideganfoundation.org\/about\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kirsten Bridegan<\/strong><\/a> started what is called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/givebutter.com\/bexleybox\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bexley Boxes<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d named after her daughter, who was found in a car after her father, <strong>Jared Bridegan<\/strong>, was murdered in 2022. After the shooting, then-2-year-old Bexley was taken to a police station in Jacksonville Beach, where there were no diapers, no sippy cups, and few other comforts to speak of.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BEXLEY-BOXES.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776661 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BEXLEY-BOXES-640x336.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"336\"  \/><\/a>Kirsten Bridegan expands Bexley Boxes initiative, bringing comfort supplies to law enforcement offices across Florida.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cOur daughter was strapped in her car seat,\u201d Bridegan said, noting that a passing motorist arrived on the scene and wrapped the girl in a blanket. \u201cShe was taken to a police station where there weren\u2019t many things to comfort her \u2026 I came up with the idea to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bexley Boxes ensure law enforcement offices have those necessities \u2014 wipes, sippy cups, premixed formula, snacks and blankets \u2014 as well as comforting extras such as stuffed animals, books, coloring supplies and more.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kirsten Bridegan <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/728607-bexley-box\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>was recognized<\/strong><\/a> by Uthmeier last year for launching the initiative, and he said he was intent on getting the boxes into law enforcement offices in all 67 counties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cThis is a great story to come out of a tragic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On Monday, he took it a step further, saying Walmart has agreed to shoulder much of the cost and assemble the boxes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a Ponte Vedra Beach news conference, the Attorney General said that 65 Bexley Boxes were already in place at Florida law enforcement offices and that another 120 are expected to be distributed within a month.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Minding measles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">City officials acknowledged on Jan. 23 that they had received confirmation of multiple measles cases and urged people to get immunized.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The city, along with the Florida Department of Health (<a href=\"https:\/\/duval.floridahealth.gov\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><strong>DOH<\/strong><\/a>) in Duval County, is urging residents to get immunized and to regularly visit DOH locations at 515 W. Sixth St. and 3225 University Blvd., open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city also has a phone line to help make appointments at 904-253-1130.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MEASELS-Large.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776662 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MEASELS-Large-640x349.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"349\"  \/><\/a>City officials urge immunizations after confirming multiple measles cases and announcing pop-up vaccination clinics.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But city officials have also scheduled a \u201cpop-up\u201d immunization site to serve residents on Sunday, Feb. 1. The Immunization Clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at the Regency Library, 9300 Regency Square Blvd.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Immunizations will be administered to prevent measles, influenza and hepatitis.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Former Mandarin stars head to Super Bowl<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Super Bowl matchup is set with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meeting at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, and Jacksonville will be represented with a pair of players on the Patriots roster from the same high school.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">New England wide receiver <strong>DeMario \u201cPop\u201d Douglas<\/strong> and running back <strong>Terrell Jennings<\/strong> both attended Mandarin High School, and both were on the 2018 Mustangs\u2019 state championship-winning team.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEMARIO-DOUGLAS-TERRELL-JENNINGS.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-776665 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DEMARIO-DOUGLAS-TERRELL-JENNINGS-640x360.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"  \/><\/a>DeMario Douglas and Terrell Jennings represent Mandarin High School as Patriots teammates who reach the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Douglas grew up in St. Augustine and began his high school career at Pedro Menendez High School before transferring to Mandarin for his final two seasons. Douglas starred at Liberty before being selected by the Patriots in the sixth round in 2023. In three seasons with New England, he has started 14 of 48 games and caught 146 passes for 1,629 yards and six touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Jennings went to Florida A&amp;M after high school, where he rushed for 1,860 yards and 24 touchdowns in his college career. He went undrafted and signed with the Patriots before the 2024 season. He was cut before the season but was brought back on the practice squad and eventually landed on the active roster, playing in three games in 2024.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This season, the pattern repeated: Jennings was cut and then re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster and scored his first NFL touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 2, but was placed on injured reserve after being placed in the concussion protocol following the Dec. 1 game against the Giants. Jennings has since been cleared of the concussion protocol and has been a full participant in practice, but has not been active for either of the Patriots\u2019 postseason wins.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It\u2019s been quite a football season for players from the Mustangs\u2019 state title-winning team. Carson Beck quarterbacked Miami to the College Football Playoff national title game before falling to Indiana.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Jaguars\/status\/2016253894188224836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-776667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JAGUARS-TWEET-640x1036.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"769\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Jaguars won\u2019t have to find new offensive and defensive coordinators. The team announced on Tuesday that both offensive coordinator <strong>Grant Udinski<\/strong> and defensive coordinator <strong>Anthony Campanile<\/strong> had agreed to new contracts to remain in Jacksonville. Both were courted by other NFL teams as head coaching candidates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Udinski was a candidate for the Cleveland Browns\u2019 and Buffalo Bills\u2019 head coaching jobs, but he withdrew his name from consideration for the Browns on Monday, and then the Bills promoted offensive coordinator <strong>Joe Brady<\/strong> to head coach the following day. Udinski got a richer deal with the Jaguars to remain on head coach <strong>Liam Coen\u2019s <\/strong>staff. It should be noted that Coen was the Jaguars\u2019 playcaller in 2025 and is expected to be again in 2026.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Campanile was a hot prospect as well, interviewing with the Arizona Cardinals twice. But on Tuesday evening, the Jaguars announced that he, too, would remain in Jacksonville. Campanile also interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Attorney General James Uthmeier says his ongoing probe of a list of Jacksonville gun owners who carried weapons&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":33318,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5136],"tags":[5229,32233,241507,44221,14620,241508,10083,99353,10023,241509,3188,723,241510,214615,241511,241512,241513,7310,14625,14521,68773,187988,241514,84931,7834,181024,241515,14516,241516,241517,241518,241519,241520,14638,241521,241522,58595,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,11588],"class_list":{"0":"post-549988","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jacksonville","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-angie-nixon","10":"tag-ashley-moody","11":"tag-blaise-ingoglia","12":"tag-clay-yarborough","13":"tag-colleen-burton","14":"tag-donna-deegan","15":"tag-evan-power","16":"tag-featured-post","17":"tag-fentrice-driskell","18":"tag-fl","19":"tag-florida","20":"tag-florida-museum-of-black-history","21":"tag-gayle-harrell","22":"tag-hb-1151","23":"tag-hb-147","24":"tag-hb-525","25":"tag-jacksonville","26":"tag-jacksonville-bold","27":"tag-james-uthmeier","28":"tag-jared-bridegan","29":"tag-kirsten-bridegan","30":"tag-kiyan-michael","31":"tag-melissa-nelson","32":"tag-nassau-county","33":"tag-northeast-florida-builders-association","34":"tag-ralph-massullo","35":"tag-ron-desantis","36":"tag-rosalind-osgood","37":"tag-sb-1308","38":"tag-sb-1756","39":"tag-sb-308","40":"tag-scott-brannock","41":"tag-st-johns-county","42":"tag-tom-fabricio","43":"tag-tom-leek","44":"tag-tracie-davis","45":"tag-united-states","46":"tag-united-states-of-america","47":"tag-unitedstates","48":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","49":"tag-us","50":"tag-usa","51":"tag-walmart"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/549988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=549988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/549988\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=549988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=549988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=549988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}