\u201cWhen John launched his book club nearly two decades ago, he planted a powerful seed,\u201d said Deegan last week, describing the effort to bring Peyton\u2019s book club back as the Mayor\u2019s Book Club as a \u201cbridge between administrations and a bipartisan investment in something that transcends politics: our children\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n That bridge is getting $1 million from Peyton\u2019s family\u2019s Gate Foundation, which, last we checked, still goes a long way.<\/p>\n Peyton, who was Mayor between 2003 and 2011, was best known to younger generations then for his book club. And Deegan, like predecessor Lenny Curry, <\/strong>is a confirmed bibliophile, so there may be a way to heal the acrimony with a book club \u2026 potentially.<\/p>\n Map survives<\/strong><\/p>\n The Florida Supreme Court has upheld a controversial congressional map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis<\/strong> and approved by the Legislature.<\/p>\n A majority of Justices ultimately ruled that the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute and other plaintiffs failed to prove racial discrimination or a need to preserve a North Florida district (the former 5th Congressional District), which stretched from near Tallahassee to Downtown Jacksonville, one previously represented by a Black Democrat, Al Lawson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In a majority opinion, the group stated that the map will stand, thereby resolving any questions about whether congressional district lines will change in the 2026 Midterms or for the remainder of the decade.<\/p>\n A majority opinion<\/strong><\/a> written by Chief Justice Carlos Mu\u00f1iz <\/strong>accepted DeSantis\u2019 past arguments that the Equal Protection Clause in the U.S. Constitution overrides a demand in Florida\u2019s Fair Districts language that the power of minority voters cannot be diminished in the redistricting process.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Legislature\u2019s obligation to comply with the Equal Protection Clause is superior to its obligation to comply with the Non-Diminishment Clause as interpreted by our Court,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThe plaintiffs did not prove the possibility of complying with both the Non-Diminishment Clause and the Equal Protection Clause in North Florida. Therefore, they did not meet their burden to prove the invalidity of the Enacted Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Fine fundraising<\/strong><\/p>\n One of Florida\u2019s newest members of Congress is well-positioned financially for his upcoming campaign.<\/p>\n U.S. Rep. Randy Fine<\/strong><\/a>, who won the Special Election in Florida\u2019s 6th Congressional District<\/strong><\/a> on April 1, closed the second quarter of 2025 with more than $380,000 in cash on hand.<\/p>\n The Republican firebrand known as the \u201cHebrew Hammer<\/strong><\/a>\u201d raised $63,684 between April 22 and June 30. Notable donors include state Sen. Don Gaetz<\/strong>, the United States Sugar Corporation Employee PAC, the Elevance Health PAC and the Molina Healthcare PAC.<\/p>\n He spent more than he raised during the period, with outflows exceeding $88,000.<\/p>\n Just as he did when he ran in the Special Election, Fine looks likely to face opposition in both the Primary and the General Election for the seat that includes Daytona and extends northward toward St. Augustine and west toward Ocala and Gainesville.<\/p>\n He\u2019s well-positioned for both the August and November contests in 2026, with prospective opponents struggling.<\/p>\n Counting receipts through the end of June, Aaron Baker<\/strong><\/a> has a little more than $1,000 on hand. The Sorrento Republican made news early in the last Primary season when he claimed Donald Trump<\/strong><\/a> didn\u2019t control who he endorsed.<\/p>\n Joshua Vasquez<\/strong><\/a> and Alexandra Van Cleef<\/strong><\/a>, Republicans from Ocala and Palm Coast, respectively, have yet to report fundraising despite filing with the state of Florida as active candidates.<\/p>\n Fine won his last Primary, which included Baker, with 83% of the vote.<\/p>\n Cop controversy<\/strong><\/p>\n A Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/strong><\/a> stop from February is in the news<\/strong><\/a> for alleged violence against a 22-year-old suspect, and a state Senator is among those outraged in the wake of published reports.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again, we are faced with a sickening reminder of the systemic issues that plague our law enforcement. The video coming out of Jacksonville is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. To witness an officer assault an unarmed Black man during what should have been a routine traffic stop is a stark demonstration of the continued racial bias and excessive force that far too many Black individuals experience in our communities. Never mind the fact that the driver was baselessly stopped for not using headlights during broad daylight,\u201d said Sen. Shevrin Jones<\/strong><\/a> of Miami Gardens.<\/p>\n The driver, William McNeil<\/strong><\/a>, was allegedly pulled over during the day for not having headlights on. As he noted in the video, it was not raining.<\/p>\n Rep. Angie Nixon<\/strong><\/a> of Jacksonville is also paying attention to this issue.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve reached out to the Sheriff\u2019s Office. I\u2019ll be sending a formal letter and request to meet about that, the deaths in the jail, and other cases related to potential JSO misconduct,\u201d she posted this weekend to social media.<\/p>\n McNeil will have strong legal representation, as civil rights lawyers Harry<\/strong> Daniels<\/strong> and Ben Crump<\/strong> have taken his case.<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet<\/strong><\/p>\n Infant, maternal health champions<\/strong><\/p>\n Baptist Health is recognizing Sen. Tracie Davis<\/strong> and Rep. Wyman Duggan<\/strong> for championing crucial funding to enhance maternal and infant care in Northeast Florida. The lawmakers were instrumental in securing state funds to expand labor and delivery capacity, increase access to specialized care for high-risk pregnancies, and improve obstetric emergency services in a region with higher-than-average mortality rates.<\/p>\n The new 2025-26 state budget allocates $4.5 million to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for the construction of 12 new labor and delivery rooms.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recognize and thank Sen. Tracie Davis and Rep. Wyman Duggan for their support and commitment to maternal health,\u201d said Michael Mayo<\/strong>, president and CEO of Baptist Health. \u201cThis funding will allow us to better serve our community, ensuring safer births, healthier outcomes and greater access to quality care.\u201d<\/p>\n This significant investment is designed to meet the growing demand for essential obstetric services and directly address the community\u2019s critical needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis funding will help ensure that all mothers and babies in Northeast Florida can get the specialized care that they need,\u201d stated Nicole Thomas<\/strong>, president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. \u201cWe are grateful for this investment in community and generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Hold the line<\/strong><\/p>\n The millage rate might go down in Jacksonville after all.<\/p>\n On Tuesday night, the City Council voted 17-1 to maintain the current 11.3169 mills rate, meaning that property tax rates stay the same (though appraisal changes can affect the ultimate number homeowners see).<\/p>\n While if enough is cut from Deegan\u2019s proposed budget in August, there could be a change to the scheme; for now, it remains the status quo.<\/p>\n Jacksonville joblessness<\/strong><\/p>\n Florida\u2019s unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% in June, and it\u2019s the third month in a row without any change in that key economic indicator.<\/p>\n FloridaCommerce<\/strong><\/a>, the state\u2019s business development bureau, says there were 415,000 Floridians out of work last month<\/strong><\/a> in a labor force of 11.19 million. While the monthly jobless figure has been holding steady, June\u2019s rate is still higher than a year ago<\/strong><\/a>. The latest figure is up by 0.4 percentage points from June 2024\u2019s figure of 3.4%.<\/p>\n Jacksonville recorded one of the highest unemployment rates among larger Florida markets at 4.2% in June. That\u2019s an increase of 0.6 percentage points from May\u2019s figure of 3.6% and up over June 2024\u2019s rate of 3.7%.<\/p>\n While the rate of people out of work in the Sunshine State has remained static for a quarter of a year, it\u2019s still lower than the national figure of 4.1%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor<\/strong><\/a>. Florida has now maintained a lower unemployment rate than the national mark for 56 straight months.<\/p>\n While the jobless figures have held steady, the rate has not declined for any month this year, and the first quarter showed increases from the 3.4% registered in December.<\/p>\n Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly,<\/strong> in a press<\/strong><\/a> release<\/strong><\/a>, highlighted that Florida was ranked third in CNBC\u2019s 2025 rankings of the best states for business<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida\u2019s strong economy continues to lead the nation,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cBuilding on this momentum \u2014 from targeted infrastructure investments to reducing regulatory burdens and supporting workforce innovation \u2014 Florida remains focused on long-term growth that benefits families, entrepreneurs and businesses across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n Page possibility<\/strong><\/p>\n If you know a young person who would benefit from some time with the Jacksonville City Council, then you\u2019re in luck.<\/p>\n The legislative body is currently seeking pages for meetings. Specifically, middle and high school students aged 11 and up who will serve during regular meetings and \u201cobserve government in action, assist with official duties, and gain firsthand experience of the legislative process at the local level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBringing back the Page Program reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation of civic leaders. By adding an online application, we\u2019re making it easier than ever for students and families to get involved,\u201d says President Kevin Carrico<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Apply here: Jacksonville.gov \u2013 City Council Page Program<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Tweet, tweet<\/strong><\/p>\n Career move<\/strong><\/p>\n Jeanne Augspurger<\/strong> is headed to OGC.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not the Office of General Counsel.<\/p>\n Instead, the former Jacksonville Civic Council president will be a partner in the national law firm OGC (Outside GC), even as she maintains her independent consulting firm, Strategic Relationships & Counsel (SRC).<\/p>\n \u201cJoining OGC is a natural fit that allows me to continue offering business-oriented, practical legal guidance in a flexible and entrepreneurial environment,\u201d said Augspurger. \u201cI\u2019m honored to be part of such a talented team of former in-house counsel and law firm partners who understand what it takes to align legal advice with business priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Jeanne to OGC,\u201d said Managing Partner Greg Williamson<\/strong>. \u201cHer diverse background, spanning law, government, higher education and civic leadership, adds tremendous depth to our team. Her ability to work at the intersection of legal, economic, and civic interests sets her apart. Jeanne exemplifies the strategic thinking and client-focused approach that OGC is known for.\u201d<\/p>\n Berkshire bump?<\/strong><\/p>\n Word on Wall Street is that railroad consolidation may make CSX a takeover target.<\/p>\n Per Barron\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> (among others), Berkshire Hathaway may be looking at the line amid pushes for transcontinental railroads.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753313188_837_image1.png\")
<\/a>Donna Deegan and John Peyton bridge administrations, relaunching the popular Mayor\u2019s Book Club for children\u2019s literacy. Image via the City of Jacksonville.<\/p>\n<\/a>Florida\u2019s Supreme Court upheld a congressional map backed by Ron DeSantis, which will impact North Florida representation.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Randy Fine holds a strong fundraising position for his upcoming congressional campaign.<\/p>\n<\/a>A controversial traffic stop of William McNeil draws outrage; Harry Daniels and Ben Crump represent him.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Tracie Davis and Wyman Duggan are recognized for securing state funds for Baptist Health\u2019s maternal care.<\/p>\n<\/a>The Jacksonville City Council voted 17-1 to maintain the current property tax millage rate for the time being.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Jacksonville\u2019s unemployment rate increased to 4.2% in June, higher than the steady Florida state average.<\/p>\n<\/a>Kevin Carrico announced the Jacksonville City Council is reviving its Page Program for local students.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Former civic leader Jeanne Augspurger has joined the national law firm Outside GC as a partner.<\/p>\n