Commission discusses alerting the public of offshore spills following barge crash off Atlantic Beach
The Jacksonville Waterways Commission met Wednesday to talk about better ways to respond to marine incidents like the one last year when thousands of tons of coal ash spilled into the ocean off the coast of Atlantic Beach.
Tropical Storm Elsa; Freedom to Fly Act & Essential Caregivers Act; Caregivers for Compromise founder
On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we discuss the response to and impact from Tropical Storm Elsa, with state Sen. Audrey Gibson and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford. We also look ahead to 2022, talking with Gibson about her endorsement of Democrat U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in the race for Florida governor. Rutherford gives us an update from Washington, D.C., talking about the Freedom to Fly Act and the Essential Caregivers Act. And we talk with Mary Daniel, a local advocate for senior care and the founder of Caregivers for Compromise. Her husband, who has Alzheimer’s, resides at a memory care facility, and she couldn’t see him during the first months of the pandemic. Hear how her experiences during that time led her to take action and push for change.
Caregivers who bring someone 65+ to get vaccine can also get a shot
Family caregivers may assist with daily activities, personal care, or medical needs. Family caregivers qualify as health care workers with direct patient contact in Florida. AdGibson said the idea is to encourage both seniors and their caregivers to get vaccinate. “If the charge or senior has a vaccine, but the caregiver doesn’t, that’s not really the safest environment,” Gibson said. “To me, it sort of makes sense to get caregivers vaccinated.
Former President Trump acquitted in 2nd impeachment trial
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” state Sen. Audrey Gibson, University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Laboratory Director Dr. Michael Binder and Jacksonville University College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Matthew Corrigan hold a roundtable discussion on the acquittal of former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz also explains his vote against impeaching Trump.
Controversial union dues bill backed in Florida Senate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With unions and business groups squaring off, a Senate committee Wednesday backed a controversial proposal about the process for deducting union dues from the paychecks of public employees. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill (SB 78), which appears to be moving quickly toward a vote by the full Senate after the 2021 legislative session starts in March. That would be in addition to a current process of union bargaining agents submitting written requests to begin deductions. Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, described the bill as “borderline intimidation.”The bill has drawn opposition from major unions, including the Florida AFL-CIO, the Florida Education Association, the Florida Police Benevolent Association and Florida Professional Firefighters. AdThe bill is slated to go to the Senate Rules Committee next week and then could be ready to go to the full Senate.
Jacksonville site, 6 others in Florida offer COVID-19 vaccinations Sunday in partnership with churches
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven sites in Florida, including one in Jacksonville, offered COVID-19 vaccinations on Sunday in partnership with places of worship, Gov. He said there were 50 different houses of worship, many of them predominantly African American churches, that participated. You look at some of the drive-through sites that the state’s supporting, as well as some of the locals all throughout the state of Florida. And then our partnership with Publix.”As of Sunday, according to Florida Department of Health data, 558,326 people in Florida had been vaccinated, including 275,771 people age 65 and older. Hopefully, DeSantis said, the state is scheduled to get about 250,000 additional shots of the first dose next week.
Invasion of halls of Congress; impeachment talks; former adviser to President Trump on Capitol breach
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and News4Jax anchor Tom Wills join this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” as they discuss the invasion of the halls of Congress, objections to Electoral College votes and whether impeachment should be attempted. In addition, former advisor to President Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, provides her perspective on the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Florida voters appear split on whether to repeal Affordable Care Act
And they (the Affordable Care Act) helped me. Some patients at UF Health said they rely on the Affordable Care Act. One woman, who asked not to be named, said the Affordable Care Act really helps those on the poverty line. He wants a new health care program and says the current Affordable Care Act needs to go. President-elect Joe Biden was in the Obama Administration when the Affordable Care Act first came was created.
Hubbard House annual breakfast goes virtual for 1st time
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner, according to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hubbard House continued its work to combat the ongoing problem and hosted its annual breakfast Thursday morning. For the first time, the 26th annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast was free and virtual. Press play below to re-watch the event:Local leaders and other members of the community took part in the event to learn about domestic violence and hear from strong survivors who have found safety. Hubbard House is a full-service certified domestic violence center providing prevention and intervention to domestic violence survivors and their families in Duval and Baker counties in Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville leaders: Trump has failed Black community in Duval County
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Joe Biden campaign was in Jacksonville on Thursday with local leaders to discuss how they feel a Biden and Kamala Harris administration would build a better America. “Black and Brown communities have disproportionately been impacted by the public health and economic crisis caused by his mismanagement," Nixon said. They said systemic racism, racial inequalities and community relations with the police are all key issues this election season. In Duval County, there have protests and conversations about police budgets and Confederate monuments. But Gibson at the President Donald Trump’s event in Jacksonville Thursday night, she doesn’t think he will mention those efforts.
Gov. DeSantis proposes bill to get tough with violent protesters
Ron DeSantis announced a bill to get tough with any protesters who attack police officers or cause property damage. While DeSantis said Florida hasn’t seen the type of violent protests that have occurred in other states, he said he wants to make sure they don’t happen here. DeSantis also said law enforcement would use the RICO Act to prosecute any groups found to be funding or organizing protests that turn violent. “Recently in our country we have seen attacks on law enforcement, we’ve seen disorder and tumult in many cities,” DeSantis said. It’s wrong and it’s unconstitutional,” state Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat who is running for the state Senate, tweeted Monday afternoon.
FAMU's medical marijuana education program takes flack from lawmakers
News Service of FloridaTALLAHASEE, Fla. - FAMUs minority medical marijuana education program came under tough scrutiny from lawmakers Thursday morning. This was the second time FAMUs Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative presented to lawmakers. FAMU was given $2.1 million for the education program in August. Glory Brown, the director of FAMU's Office of Sponsored Programs, said the university would be open to more oversight from the state. FAMU says its satisfied with progress that has been made with the education program.
FAMU's medical marijuana education program takes flack from lawmakers
News Service of FloridaTALLAHASEE, Fla. - FAMU's minority medical marijuana education program came under tough scrutiny from lawmakers Thursday morning. This was the second time FAMU's Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative presented to lawmakers. FAMU was given $2.1 million for the education program in August. Glory Brown, the director of FAMU's Office of Sponsored Programs, said the university would be open to more oversight from the state. FAMU says it's satisfied with progress that has been made with the education program.
Boos & jeers before City Council withdraws sales tax bill
Ahead of the City Council's decision, the council chambers were cleared due to an outburst from the crowd while the sales tax measure was discussed. READ: Jim Piggott: 'I was not going to leave' City Council meetingAmong those asked to leave was state Sen. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville). In June, the Duval County School Board approved its $1.9 billion Master Plan to repair or replace school buildings. Along with members of the School Board, theyre demanding city council put the half-cent sales tax to voters this year. Charter schools are public schools in that they offer free education, funded by taxpayers.
Jim Piggott: 'I was not going to leave' City Council meeting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The events at Jacksonville City Council meeting Tuesday night were quite surprising to me. I knew when they got to the school board tax issue they would be responding, despite repeated efforts by the council president to try to hold back reactions. I didn't believe that was right, since City Council was in full session and there were two council members meeting, plus the fact that they were going to vote on an issue. I told council President they would have to arrest me in order to leave chambers. I then saw the council president and other members behind the door in the green room next to the council chambers.
System set up for donors to directly help families hurt by fire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In the wake of a devastating fire at a Jacksonville apartment complex, News4Jax was flooded with questions about where and how to donate to the displaced families. Millennia Housing Management, which runs the Calloway Cove apartments, formerly Washington Heights, has set up a "Donor Direct Initiative" to connect donors with the families in need of help. Donors need to fill out, sign and return some forms to be authorized to donate to the impacted families. Dozens of people from the complex were forced out of their homes into a Northside hotel while the apartment complex looks into potential gas leaks. Mayor Lenny Curry, State Sen. Audrey Gibson, State Rep. Kimberly Daniels, State Rep Tracie Davis, and Council Member Brenda Priestly Jackson will attend the event.