Between May 21 and May 25, more than 45 million Americans are expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That is the most since AAA started keeping count. But the difference in the number of people traveling this year compared to 2025 is less than 1%, which is the smallest increase in more than a decade.

Duval County Schools has more than doubled the number of books removed from shelves through an internal review process, raising transparency concerns from PEN America. The free expression group criticizes the lack of public oversight, noting the removals disproportionately impact students with limited access to books outside school. The district states the removals follow a state-mandated review by certified media specialists, separate from formal book challenges. Supporters of book challenges argue alternative access exists, but critics question whether a small group should decide what the entire community can access.

A dispute over whether Main Street Pizza in Hastings can serve beer and wine is headed for a final decision before the St. Johns County Commission next week.

Temperatures to stay above average heading into the weekend

Whole Foods Market will open a new 38,432-square-foot store at 1 Riverside Ave. in downtown Jacksonville on Thursday. The store will open at 8 a.m. on opening day; regular hours will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

On The Morning Show on Wednesday, local attorney Millicent Daniels joined News4JAX anchor Millicent Daniels to talk about drag racing and street takeovers, which she says are a major concern in Florida.

A former federal prosecutor is facing federal charges over allegations that she sent a report detailing Jack Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s hoarding of classified documents to her personal email account, despite a judge’s order to keep it secret.

Although there are venomous snakes in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, their bites would rarely kill someone. However, there are some things you should never do that could make a snake bite much worse.

Florida's 2027 recruiting class ranks top five nationally with elite trench talent. Plus, what Year 1 success looks like under Jon Sumrall.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is cooperating with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier after being issued a subpoena last week.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Python Challenge is returning this summer, giving participants a chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while helping protect the Everglades ecosystem.

After over a year of crusading for property tax cuts, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said they may finally be coming.

A canceled land deal between JEA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation has attracted the notice of State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office, according to a subpoena that one of her veteran prosecutors sent last week to the utility, a copy of which The Florida Trib and News4JAX reviewed.

The iconic Jaguars statue named, Touchdown, was lifted, loaded and hauled away Tuesday as work continues to ramp up on the Stadium of the Future.

The homestand is highlighted by the return of the popular Honey Drippers Weekend, along with themed nights, giveaways and special appreciation events throughout the week.

University of Florida sophomore hurler Aidan King added to his sterling resume by earning SEC Pitcher of the Year honors on Monday afternoon.

Florida attorney Lindsey Lazopoulos Friedman, with Holtzman Vogel, joined us on The Morning Show to discuss the stake in this for Florida and Cuban Americans.

6'7" DL Cain Van Norden commits to Florida with just two years of football experience. Breaking down his upside and the week ahead.

A Navy warship and its crew returned home to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Saturday after nearly a year at sea.

While hockey continues to grow in the Sunshine State, one young player from St. Johns County is already making a name for herself on the ice. At just 12 years old, Rory Mayer is piling up championships and helping lead the next generation of girls hockey in Jacksonville.

Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, was arrested Friday evening by Capitol Police after about five hours of staging a sit-in outside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

State lawmakers completed their first week of a special session on the fiscal year 2026-2027 spending plan. Staff and the two budget chiefs will pick up unresolved issues through the weekend.

While dozens of new Florida bills have already been approved by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one in particular is drawing some attention online.

A dispute over whether Main Street Pizza in Hastings can serve beer and wine is headed for a final decision before the St. Johns County Commission next week.

Rep. Angie Nixon was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee on Thursday for her loud protest on the House floor last month that disrupted a vote on new congressional district maps.

Florida now requires a stand-alone personal financial literacy course for high school graduation - but guests on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition say the real question is whether it changes behavior. Host Kent Justice talks with Dr. Ronetta Wards of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) and Howard Dale of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville about what “financial literacy” should actually mean for 17- and 18-year-olds: credit, debt, taxes, budgeting, savings, investing, and even emerging currency like crypto.

A new wave of THC-infused drinks—often sold right alongside beer and seltzers—is popping up in stores and even some gas stations.

On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on another two bills, adding to the list of over 80 laws approved so far this year.

Nearly one in four registered Florida voters have placed a sports bet using an online or mobile app, but most Floridians oppose expanding legal sports betting and many question the integrity of games tied to wagering, a University of North Florida poll released Thursday found.

A crash has blocked the left lane on Interstate 10 East before mile marker 353 in Jacksonville.

Eleven people who survived a plane crash about 50 miles off the Florida coast were on a life raft for hours and had no idea anyone was coming to save them when rescue crews from the U.S. military arrived.

Environmental groups say the expected closure of a detention center in the Florida Everglades is linked to their lawsuit.

Jon Sumrall discusses Florida Gators 2027 recruiting, quarterback battle, offensive line plans, and a special Gators Breakdown announcement.

Florida’s controversial immigration detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” is expected to close as early as June, according to a report from The New York Times.

Authorities in the Bahamas say that an aircraft crashed off the coast of Florida and that all 10 people aboard have been rescued.

A Jacksonville mother, Patti Wheeler, is warning others about the dangers of kratom after her 27-year-old son, Wyatt, died from using the herbal supplement.

On Tuesday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office was taking legal action against the City of Jacksonville, alleging that the city knowingly and willfully maintained an illegal gun registry in violation of state law.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search operation after an aircraft crashed approximately 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne, according to an official statement from the Coast Guard Southeast District.

With hurricane season weeks away, Florida homeowners are watching Washington amid uncertainty over the future of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, which helps millions recover after floods.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that distracted driving is a dangerous habit, responsible for thousands of deaths in the U.S., according to the NHTSA. That’s a big part of why Florida law prohibits drivers from texting while they’re behind the wheel — at least, in most cases.

A pair of South Florida wildfires that torched thousands of acres in the Everglades over the weekend spread as fire crews worked to contain them.

The widow of a man killed in an April 2025 Florida State University shooting sued OpenAI and several affiliated companies on Monday, claiming that the company’s ChatGPT product helped the student who carried out the attack plan and prepare for it, according to NBC News.

A new report from the Humana Foundation is shedding light on a silent crisis unfolding across Florida — one that affects hundreds of thousands of older residents and often goes unnoticed.

Your Sunday weather across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia will include the potential for strong to possibly severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

An Orlando man was arrested during a trip to Hawaii as part of a fraud bust this week, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Three more area athletes added championships on the third day of the state meet at UNF’s Hodges Stadium on Friday.

The Lake City Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Florida and the nation for the annual Click It or Ticket campaign, running May 18 through the end of the month.

Jacksonville is expecting needed rain and thunderstorms this weekend, with showers likely from Saturday afternoon through Monday. Meteorologist Katie Garner explains how this affects your plans and what to expect for Mother's Day.

A bill limiting foreign influence from “countries of concern,” including adding penalties for businesses and prohibiting surrogacy contracts with Chinese nationals, was signed into law Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The St. Johns County Adventure Landing amusement park may have ended its more than 30-year run for family-fun entertainment in the city, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a piece of it home with you.

Andrew Beard, a top-10 RB in 2027, commits to Florida over Clemson. How Sumrall's staff flipped this recruitment and what it means.

Mayor Donna Deegan on Friday, will formally name one of VUP-19’s MQ-4C Tritons “Spirit of Jacksonville” to honor the longstanding support and partnership between Jacksonville and the military.

A wildfire more than 100 miles west of Jacksonville is to blame for an air quality alert Friday morning.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” always was meant to be temporary.

Florida utility customers won’t bear the additional costs brought by new large scale data centers that power artificial intelligence, under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added five more laws to the count, adding to the growing list of more than 60 new laws already passed so far this year.

Jacksonville faces a red flag warning with fire danger increasing due to hot, windy, and dry conditions, as storms and a tornado watch approach the area. Get the latest weather updates from News4JAX.

Roc Boys help break down Florida's 2026 roster, the QB battle, and offensive tackle concerns. DL Stive-Bentley Keumajou's commits.

Clay County Schools held a job fair on Wednesday to fill a growing list of open positions, including teachers across multiple grade levels and subjects, as well as nurses.

This year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have passed a law designating a new “Trump Highway” in the Sunshine State.

With the recent crackdowns on illegal immigration in Florida, it’s a reminder that some out-of-state licenses are no longer legal in the Sunshine State.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain vigilant as criminals continue to target individuals and families across the county with scams and fraud schemes.

Jacksonville is getting ready to welcome thousands of athletes, spectators and volunteers from across the country for the inaugural IRONMAN Jacksonville triathlon on Saturday, May 16.

The price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA.

A group of parents, students, educators, school board members and civil rights organizations has had enough, and now they’re taking the fight to court.

A 60-year-old civil rights law, effectively gutted. Now, Republicans across the South are racing to redraw congressional maps — and Florida just became the first state to act, passing new lines that could flip four seats. Democrats are promising to fight back. Sean Freeder, a political scientist and analyst, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton to discuss the pushback and the legal fights ahead.

A man police say was armed with a gun when he kicked in the doors of four homes in the Holiday Hill neighborhood of Jacksonville’s Southside late Monday night was eventually shot and killed by officers after he confronted them, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday he signed into law a new congressional district map for Florida.

A second sloth has died after being taken to a central Florida zoo for rehabilitation.

Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the February 1996 death of 5-month-old Gabrielle Hanshaw, his girlfriend’s daughter, in Duval County.

Florida Gators 2027 recruiting class hits 10 commits. Breakdown of Dillard, Keumajou, Beard decisions plus 2026 portal additions and mailbag.

The first of 1,500 beagles being removed from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research business are adjusting to their new lives as animal welfare groups move them to shelters to prepare them for adoption.

A stretch of quiet weather is moving into southeast Georgia and northeast Florida following the passage of a cold front Saturday. You expect cooler temperatures, clear skies and drier conditions throughout the day.

We first brought you the story on a potential pathway for the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University to one day add tackle football, as their home conference — the Atlantic Sun — enters a first-of-its-kind partnership with the United Athletic Conference, formerly known as the Western Athletic Conference. But what does this mean for the current sports teams at both schools?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that an expanded season for Atlantic Red Snapper in Florida has been approved and will go into effect May 22.

Gasoline prices have surged to a four-year high, pushing the nationwide average for a gallon of regular to $4.28, AAA said.

A prominent Jacksonville pastor who admitted he tried to avoid paying more than half a million dollars in federal taxes was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison on Thursday.

A Florida state representative who was in the House chambers when local state representative Angie Nixon used a bullhorn to protest a redistricting vote said she is now dealing with possible ear damage.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two education bills Thursday, targeting the power of teacher unions in Florida and expanding flexibility for school districts.

News4JAX is partnering with Navy Federal Credit Union and the United Service Organizations to launch “Help on the Homefront,” a monthlong drive in May to collect care packages and essential items for service members and their families in northeast Florida.

Severe weather window expected from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday

Saturday storms to be followed by cooler, breezy conditions Sunday

The left lane on Interstate 95 North before mile marker 304 in St. Johns County has reopened.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday it has begun using Immediate Needs Funding after its Disaster Relief Fund fell below the $3 billion threshold, limiting the agency to support only lifesaving and life-sustaining disaster work while Congress remains without a full appropriation.

On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added four more laws to the count, adding to the list of 60 new laws already passed so far this year.

Federal authorities are investigating the death of a truck driver whose body was discovered in Georgia after he was last seen alive at a Florida rest stop.

Duval County tips into the highest level drought category as temperatures rise and dry conditions persist.

Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference in Ormond Beach with Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.

The Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map that aims to give Republicans four more seats hours after the Supreme Court narrowed a section of the Voting Rights Act.

The FBI says a body found in Coastal Georgia is confirmed to be missing truck driver Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, who disappeared while transporting vehicles.

The FBI says a body found in Coastal Georgia is confirmed to be missing truck driver Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, who disappeared while transporting vehicles.

The FBI says a body found in Coastal Georgia is confirmed to be missing truck driver Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, who disappeared while transporting vehicles.

Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville gave heavy pushback after Florida lawmakers approved a new congressional map that could help Republicans retain control of the House in the midterm elections.

After months of warnings from the News4JAX I-TEAM about risky “subject-to” mortgage deals, a Bay County homeowner has successfully reversed one in court — a rare outcome that attorneys say could offer a path forward for others in similar situations.

Republicans have scored another victory in the nationwide redistricting battle.

A free town hall on Thursday in Jacksonville will bring together several agencies and experts to help those with Medicare spot and prevent possible fraud.

Florida hasn't signed two top-150 offensive linemen since 2012. Sumrall and Trautwein are changing that with elite 2027 targets.

Florida has ranked last in average teacher pay among all 50 states and Washington, D.C. for the third consecutive year, according to newly released data from the National Education Association.

Many of these laws will take effect on July 1, though a select few went into play immediately upon being signed.

Florida lawmakers are now back in Tallahassee for a special session to consider redrawing the state’s U.S. House district lines.