WJCT News Now

Jacksonville is set to learn how much federal funding it will receive through the U.S. Justice Department’s Model Cities Initiative, a nearly $300 million program involving four cities. Hear more on that story and other headlines heading into the weekend on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multimillion-dollar incentive package for a proposed downtown Jacksonville development remains in limbo after City Council's Finance Committee reached a 3-3 tie vote. The proposal would provide Gateway Jax with more than $28 million in cash incentives and up to $21 million in property tax refunds to help bring a residential tower and Publix grocery store to Pearl Square. Hear more on that story...

Florida voters make history by electing the first Black Republican governor in U.S. history, while Republicans keep control of all Florida Cabinet positions. We’ll also look at U.S. Senate results, where Republican Ashley Moody narrowly defeated Democrat Angie Nixon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida voters head to the polls today to decide the state’s next political leaders and weigh in on several statewide and local ballot measures. The race for governor features Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, who offer competing views on the state’s political future. We have more on Election Day on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is adjusting bus schedules and routes across the city as it works to address a $39 million budget shortfall. Plus, more than 5.1 million Floridians have already voted ahead of Election Day, with Republicans leading Democrats in early ballots cast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As early voting enters its final weekend in Northeast Florida, Duval County voters are deciding whether to extend a special property tax that helps fund teacher salaries. Early voting ends Sunday in Duval County and Saturday for the rest of Northeast Florida counties. Hear more local headlines on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s interim CEO, Cleveland Ferguson, says he will not pursue the permanent position so he can focus on addressing the agency’s $39 million budget shortfall. More on yesterday's JTA Board meeting and other local headlines on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jacksonville Housing Authority has fired CEO Cheron Corbett after she refused to resign, following board members’ concerns over her request for a bonus on top of her $300,000 salary. We have more on that story and other local headlines on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Jacksonville Transportation Authority board member is calling for the resignations of the authority's leadership, accusing them of misleading the board about the agency’s finances. Details on that story and other local headlines are in The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early voting is underway across Northeast Florida, with Nassau County leading the region in turnout after the first weekend. We have details on that story and other top stories on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jacksonville City Council will meet Friday to discuss a subpoena for former Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford, who has agreed to testify at a later date about the agency’s financial crisis. Hear more on that story and other headlines on The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board is hosting its first community town hall, giving residents an opportunity to share concerns and discuss how city policy can better serve the community. Plus, reports of federal immigration enforcement at or near early voting sites in some areas of Florida have prompted election officials to contact the FBI. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

The Jacksonville Housing Authority board rejects a proposed bonus package for the housing authority's executive team as commissioners question the agency’s finances and its use of outside consultants. Plus, St. Johns County commissioners vote to remove the county’s remaining Flock license plate readers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jacksonville Civic Council is backing the renewal of a 1-mill property tax that in part helps pay teachers in Duval County Public Schools. Also, early voting begins in Duval County ahead of the general election, with 24 sites available to registered voters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early voting begins this week across Northeast Florida as counties prepare for the November 3 General Election. We’ll look at when voting starts in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay and Putnam counties, and the deadlines for requesting and returning vote-by-mail ballots. Hear more on that story and other local headlines in The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City auditors say inaccurate revenue projections and a failure to build reserves contributed to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s $39 million budget shortfall. Hear more on that story and other top headlines in The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospital workers demonstrated outside UF Health Jacksonville’s downtown campus, accusing the health care system of unfair labor practices. UF Health says it remains committed to competitive compensation and benefits and to honoring its collective bargaining agreement. Get more on this story and other top headlines in The Morning Report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jacksonville City Council has approved a no-interest loan of up to $30 million to help the Jacksonville Transportation Authority address a $39 million budget shortfall, following recent layoffs and service cuts. Also basketball legend Artis Gilmore is running for an at-large City Council seat against incumbent Nick Howland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Johns County voters will decide in November whether to authorize up to $100 million in bonds to purchase and preserve environmentally sensitive land, with repayment coming from property taxes. Plus, Democrat David Jolly is standing by his decision not to debate Republican Byron Donalds in Florida’s governor’s race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edward Waters University plans a $33 million campus expansion, including a new dormitory, renovated laboratories and a track and field facility that will also serve the surrounding community. Plus, cleanup continues after Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida’s western Panhandle as a Category 2 storm, leaving thousands of people without power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Four more books will be removed from Duval County Public Schools libraries following a school board vote. Plus, Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast tonight, bringing risks of flooding, tornadoes and storm surge. Northeast Florida can also expect increased rain chances, gusty winds and rough surf through the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Jacksonville City Council member and Duval County teacher Tyrona Clark-Murray plans to appeal a 10-day unpaid suspension from the school district. Also Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, continues to move toward the Gulf Coast and could bring rain, gusty winds and flooding to Northeast Florida. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Duval County School Board approves the sale of its Southbank headquarters to a local developer for more than $15 million, giving the district three years to find a new location. Also, a nearly $50 million incentive package for Gateway Jax’s downtown Publix project is on hold as Jacksonville City Council members consider the potential impact of a November property-tax amendment. See omnys...

A wet day is ahead for Northeast Florida, with heavy rain, coastal flooding and possible flash flooding prompting a flood watch through this evening. Also, the St. Johns County Commission is considering a one-year moratorium on new data center construction while officials study potential impacts on water and other infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The race for Jacksonville mayor is growing, with state Rep. Wyman Duggan becoming the latest candidate to enter the contest. Today is also the find day for residents to register to vote ahead of next month’s general election, which includes statewide, congressional, legislative and local races. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.