Community News
Friday, June 19, 2026 · Fernandina Beach
San Pablo kindergarteners complete zoo trip five weeks after bus crash
San Pablo kindergarteners completed their zoo field trip Wednesday, five weeks after an April bus crash injured four classmates. The class first visited Fire Station 37 to thank the firefighters and paramedics who responded.
Education Subcommittee Meets Today at City Hall
The Mayor's Health and Accessibility Advisory Board's Education, Healthcare & Wellness Subcommittee meets today at City Hall at 11 a.m. The public can attend in person or join via Microsoft Teams.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Public Safety Subcommittee Meets at City Hall
The Mayor's Public Safety, Veterans & Faith Subcommittee convened Friday at City Hall to discuss policy matters affecting Jacksonville.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Jacksonville bans all open burning as drought reaches worst levels in 150 years
Jacksonville bans all open burning effective immediately as the region faces extreme drought and the driest conditions since 1872.
Friday, June 19, 2026
The Good News: #LoveShowsUp to change lives in Guatemala
Fernandina Beach residents participated in Memorial's annual mission trip to Guatemala, which began on March 14, 2026, making a tangible difference in families' lives.
Friday, June 19, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Friday, June 19, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Friday, June 19, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Friday, June 19, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Friday, June 19, 2026