The City of Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated into one government 55 years ago
โJacksonville was in a very difficult period in the mid-1960s,โ said Chris Hand, a government law attorney and author of the book โThe 50th Anniversaryโ update to โA Quiet Revolutionโ chronicling the consolidation.
โHistory will remember your namesโ: 2 years since Jan. 6 riot, President Biden awards officers who defended Capitol
Two years after the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, President Biden marked the day with a solemn tribute to fallen law enforcement officers, and members of the House held a service on the Capitol steps.
โA major curveballโ: With Williams announcing retirement, challenges emerge in race for Jacksonville sheriff
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday announced his sudden retirement amid controversy about a recent move from Duval to Nassau County. Meantime, six people had previously announced their intentions to run for sheriff in spring 2023 during the general election, which follows the special elections later this year.
Florida school districts can impose student mask mandates; tragedy in Afghanistan
A Leon County judge has ruled that Florida school districts can require students to wear masks, and on this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonville,โ we hear from Duval County School Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen and local attorney and parent Chris Hand. We also have state Rep. Cord Byrd, who supports parental choice. And the rush to evacuate Afghanistan has turned violent. With American and Afghan casualties, it has become emotional for veterans. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, gives his view.
Gas tax proposal; Floridaโs upcoming special legislative session
On this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonville,โ Jacksonville City Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber explains her view on the local option gas tax proposal. Author and local attorney Chris Hand also shares his view and provides insight on the proposal. And state Sen. Aaron Bean talks about Floridaโs upcoming special legislative session.
In video, Trump addresses โheinous attackโ at US Capitol, acknowledges incoming administration
President Donald Trump is condemning the violent supporters who stormed the nationโs Capitol on Wednesday and acknowledging the incoming administration led by President-elect Joe Biden. โHe did not take any responsibility for that violence that occurred yesterday. The president said his goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote and defend American democracy, but Hand said the president still faulted the election system. โHe also didnโt restore confidence in the electoral process,โ Hand said. โHe used part of his statement, to question the credibility of the electoral process.โ
Duval County canvassing board considers provisional ballots
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Even though Duval County finished the overall counting of ballots, the canvassing board is still working to make sure every legitimate vote is accepted. By Saturday, the elections results in Duval County have to be certified and sent to the state. The canvassing board is also looking at vote-by-mail ballot where signatures donโt match the signature on file. That could have put a kink in Duval County elections results. Chris Hand, a lawyer for the Duval County Democratic Party, was one of those who raised the objection.
Duval County Canvassing Board controversy captures statewide attention
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ All eyes are watching Florida this election but some are wondering why the Duval County Canvassing Board is trying to keep eyes away. The board, which reviews questionable ballots, is still banning cameras during its meetings and limiting the number of spectators. โThe remedy really is transparency,โ Marsh said. โIf Duval County wants its canvassing board to have trust it needs transparency. In the state capital and 65 other elections canvassing meetings, reporters are allowed in and so are their cameras.
โPennsylvania may be the Florida of 2020โ: Political expert explains why Biden is focusing up north
While President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden want Floridaโs votes, Pennsylvania has taken some of the spotlight this week -- featuring the Democrats' political rock star. On Wednesday, former President Barack Obama was in Philadelphia, asking voters to support his vice president from 2009 to 2017. He said that โFlorida is still critically important, but Pennsylvania may be the Florida of 2020.โโWell, Florida is always a big deal in every election. โFor Donald Trump, Florida is critical. Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jacksonville this weekend, and Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was at the University of North Florida on Monday.
Feds link Iran to voter intimidation emails
Iran used the information to push out spoofed emails, officials said, and also created a video that Ratcliffe said falsely suggested that voters could cast fraudulent ballots from overseas. The emails falsely purported to be from the far-right group Proud Boys and warned that โwe will come after youโ if the recipients didnโt vote for Trump. Though Democratic voters were targeted, Ratcliffe said the spoofed emails were intended to hurt Trump, though he did not elaborate on how. The Herald spoke to a student at the University of Florida who received one of the emails. The FBI has set up a page with helpful information to keep voters away from scams and election-related crimes.
Analyst: Trumpโs diagnosis reinforces COVID as top election issue
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Itโs the most serious health threat to a sitting president in decades, and President Donald Trumpโs COVID-19 diagnosis could have both health and political implications ahead of Election Day. Hand believes the news has the potential to undermine the presidentโs all-is-well messaging on the pandemic. But a Jacksonville doctor said the relatively clean bill of health Trump has received offers reasons for optimism. Otherwise, his health is good.โโHe doesnโt have any known preexisting lung disease, things like that, which could be a risk factor. Concerning the ultimate impact on the campaign and election, it may depend on the presidentโs diagnosis and health.
Write-in loophole secures Michelle Cook seat as Clay County sheriff-elect
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Michelle Cook is now Clay Countys sheriff-elect, but that wasnt the case in the hours just after the election. On Wednesday, the write-in candidate -- Frank Bourrie -- withdrew from the race with a handwritten note, securing Cook as sheriff-elect. Its designed to wipe out the write-in loophole when it comes to statewide elections. Darryl Daniels has been suspended as the Clay County sheriff since he faces charges and was arrested less than a week ago. On a side note, there was a write-in candidate in the superintendent of schools race in Clay County.
President Trump surprised Biden chose Harris for VP
President Donald Trump says hes surprised that his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, has selected Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, as his running mate. Harris is the first Black and South Asian American woman to run on a major partys ticket. Harris said she is honored to be Bidens choice to run as vice president. I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief. President Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that Harris was very disrespectful to Joe Biden during the Democratic primaries, and said its hard to pick somebody thats that disrespectful.I was more surprised than anything else because she did so poorly.
Impeachment; Fight against sex trafficking; Agriculture commissionerโs 2020 mission statement
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Author and attorney Chris Hand offers perspective on impeachment, the Iowa caucuses and the Jaguars playing another game overseas. City Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber has a bill that would prevent sex trafficking. And Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried talks about her 2020 agenda.