A single-car crash on I-95 Northbound near Lem Turner Road in Jacksonville on Sunday evening left one person dead and another ejected from the vehicle.

With the first day of school in Duval County set for Monday, Saint Paul A.M.E. Church opened its doors Saturday to help families get ready, drawing nearly 500 families for its annual Back-to-School Bash. The giveaway at the church on New Kings Road provided free backpacks and school supplies, along with clothing, shoes and haircuts.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a missing 15-year-old girl who was last seen Friday evening.

Marquis Williams was arrested in May 2025 when police raided his Northwest Jacksonville home and found evidence of drugs, dog-fighting and a 9-foot alligator.

The city of Jacksonville says the construction work is the first step in making a permanent pedestrian connection from the Main Street Bridge to the new Riverfront Plaza.

As temperatures climb, some JEA customers say their bills are climbing right along with them.

A $48 million incentive package for Gateway Jax’s Publix-anchored Block N7 project is headed back to the drawing board, according to a report from News4JAX news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Staff at Arlington Animal Clinic said a dog abandoned outside their building survived nearly 36 hours tied to a pipe in the Florida heat, and they’re now hoping the people responsible are identified and held accountable.

Author Todd Mitchell, Jr. shares about his struggles with alcohol

Twenty-three military veterans graduated from Operation New Uniform’s career readiness program Friday at Florida Blue’s Deerwood Campus in Jacksonville, marking the organization’s 78th graduating class.

Blue Zones Project Jacksonville and Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business will host a series of Restaurant & Food Truck Summits this fall to help local restaurant owners and food‑truck operators learn how to become Blue Zones Approved and find incentives and community partners to support long‑term business sustainability.

Workplace comedy play with a cosmic twist

Sugar Snap Soirées is a Jacksonville-based event dessert and styling business specializing in custom treats and personalized party details. From chocolate-covered treats and gourmet desserts to themed favors and décor, each creation is designed to match a client’s unique vision for their celebration. CEO Cortney Hall is sharing simple ways to dip and decorate pretzel rods and marshmallows to bring any party spread to life in a tasty, picture-perfect way. For more information, emailsugarsnapsoirees@gmail.com, follow @sugarsnapsoirees on Instagram, or call (904) 428-3445.

JSO says the driver was caught going nearly triple the posted speed limit on the Mathews Bridge and continued to smoke even after he was pulled over by police.

With school starting in less than a week, Jacksonville-area roads and sidewalks are about to get busier as parents, teachers and students head back to the classroom. With more people driving, walking and biking near schools, safety is top of mind, especially for pedestrians. A 2026 national ranking by KURU Footwear placed Jacksonville 34th out of 35 major U.S. cities in pedestrian safety, using pedestrian fatality rates and walkability data. The report lists Jacksonville’s pedestrian fatality rate at 3.05 deaths per 100,000 people and a Walk Score of 26. In Duval County Public Schools, leaders say they’re trying to reach kids early — before they’re navigating traffic around campuses on their own.

The city of Jacksonville will posthumously honor hip-hop legend Billy ‘Bigga Rankin’ Plummer with a key to the city, recognizing his decades of influence on music, culture and community.

Fitch Ratings’ AA+ with a stable outlook means Jacksonville is viewed as financially strong and likely to borrow more cheaply, though its high long‑term pension and debt obligations remain a risk.

As Jacksonville continues to face a shortage of affordable housing, one local developer is turning small, underused parcels of land into apartments aimed at lower-income families.

The Cicis Pizza president said the company plans to open 10 new locations in the Jacksonville area over the next five years after revamping its restaurant operations.

Event funds free youth sports camps

The Partnership for Child Health invites the community to Grilling and Growing: Food for the Body & Fuel for the Future, a free community cookout designed to connect children and families with valuable health, behavioral health, and community resources while promoting healthy living. The event will take place on Friday, August 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park, 1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32206, and will feature free food and clothing, fitness demonstrations, local healthcare providers, and family-friendly activities. Through collaborative partnerships, the Partnership for Child Health works to improve the health and well-being of children and families across Jacksonville by increasing access to services and support. For more information, contact Dae'Jah Kearse at (904) 524-0440, DaejahK@pchjax.org, or visit www.pchjax.org.

With Duval County budget season approaching, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville CEO Diana Donovan joins host Kent Justice to explain what proposed cuts to arts and culture funding could mean beyond museums and performances—impacting jobs, small businesses, youth programs, and services for veterans and military families.

As students across Duval County head back to school, one Jacksonville company is making sure a need for technology doesn’t stand in the way of learning.

There is growing concern over the possible effects of Constitutional Amendment 3, the proposed property tax change headed to November’s ballot that would expand the homestead exemption if passed.

Miami man owns rental in Jax, forced to have police intervene to remove them

If you’re looking for a night filled of romance, then you won’t have to go too far. A new report from Agilis, a dating app, lists Jacksonville as one of the top 5 cities in the United States for romance.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors plans to discuss candidates for an interim chief executive officer and may make a decision as soon as its Aug. 26 meeting, the authority said.

An Indiana-based developer is now the owner of the Laura Street Trio after winning an auction Wednesday with a $125,100 bid.

The new Riverfront Music Garden in downtown Jacksonville is a transformed waterfront space at 300 Water Street, behind the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, created to celebrate the city’s deep music legacy. It features interactive art installations, a Walk of Fame honoring musicians and composers with ties to Jacksonville, children’s musical playscapes, and an outdoor projection venue that will help bring the space to life for visitors and residents.

Potter’s House International Ministries announced the funeral services for Elder Samuel Coleman, a longtime leader and staple of the church who died in a car crash on the way to Sunday service.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says it closed a case with no charges filed against a man accused of following a woman through a River City Marketplace HomeGoods who was sexually gratifying himself while watching her.

A 7-year-old boy with autism who was reported missing Wednesday morning was sadly found dead in a pond, and no foul play is suspected, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

A 7-year-old boy with autism who was reported missing Wednesday morning was sadly found dead in a pond, and no foul play is suspected, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

A $48 million incentive package for Gateway Jax’s Publix-anchored Block N7 project is headed back to the drawing board, according to a report from News4JAX news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.

The city of Jacksonville is responding to our questions about growing food on residential properties -- after several people showed up to a City Council meeting last month proposing the “Free to Garden” act.

A man was arrested Friday and accused of taking part in an organized scheme that used counterfeit checks to defraud banks and businesses across Jacksonville, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

Members at the Potter’s House Church are devastated after a longtime leader was killed in a car crash on his way to church Sunday morning, church officials said.

A 24-year-old man was arrested Sunday after deputies said he was driving 117 mph in a 65 mph zone on I‑295 and was also charged with child neglect, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

When Jacksonville-area scientist Lisa Sapp emailed News4JAX, she had one goal: to share a story she hoped would touch the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.

A Jacksonville property owner’s call to police led to the arrest of five people found inside his vacant home Saturday night, according to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest reports.

Gate Parkway has reopened after the FBI and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office bomb squad investigated a suspicious package, the FBI said.

A social media influencer accused by Jacksonville-area businesses of taking money for food reviews and failing to deliver what they expected is pushing back against the allegations, saying he never stole from anyone and that some of the claims against him are false.

A University of North Florida graduate is heading to space. Astronaut Luke Delaney will pilot NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, with a target launch date of Sept. 12. It will be his first mission to space, joining Expedition 75.

A Gainesville man was sentenced to nearly 15 years in federal prison for a string of armed robberies targeting jewelry stores and a pawn shop across Florida.

A Jacksonville social justice group is rallying behind the family of a 14-year-old boy who was arrested and charged with armed burglary and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Complete Health Partners Holdings has agreed to pay $14.1 million to settle allegations that it caused false diagnosis codes to be submitted to boost payments from the Medicare Advantage program, the Department of Justice said.

Duval County Tax Collector Jim Overton announced Monday that a new full-service branch will open Aug. 10 at 11160 Beach Blvd., Suite 121, in the St. Johns Square shopping center.

The city is reviewing a permit application for Gateway Jax to renovate the historic Ambassador Hotel at an estimated $15.8 million, according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Spreading the word about local comedy shows

A 38-year-old Jacksonville man will never get to meet his first grandchild after he was gunned down early Monday morning in a shooting that his family believes wasn’t even targeting him.

Less than a week after 39-year-old Besmir Licaj drowned in a retention pond at a Jacksonville apartment complex, his sister returned to the water’s edge for the first time to speak publicly about the brother she lost. Licaj was found unresponsive in a retention pond at Coquina Bay Apartments off San Pablo Road on July 29. Bystanders pulled him from the water, but he did not survive. On Saturday, his sister Blerta Gurguri and close family friend Tammy Wilson met News4JAX at that same pond, throwing flowers into the water as they grieved.

No injuries reported in the blaze

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported dead person on Jacksonville’s Westside Saturday evening.

Family, friends and members of the music industry gathered Saturday to celebrate the life of Jacksonville music executive and mentor Billy ‘Bigga Rankin’ Plummer during a homegoing service that drew about a thousand attendees from across Florida and beyond.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is responding to two separate scenes approximately a mile apart.

People gathered outside Paxon Revival Center Church to honor Jacksonville DJ and promoter Billy “Bigga Rankin” Plummer, sharing memories of his mentorship, record-breaking influence, and lasting impact on artists nationwide.

Several Jacksonville residents went before City Council this week to push for legislation that would make it easier for people to grow and share food from their own yards — and at least one speaker tied the push to a recent local parasite outbreak.

A Jacksonville attorney says the defense likely wasn't caught off guard by new state evidence suggesting a second person fled the scene the night Jared Bridegan was killed. The revelation comes less than two weeks before the first of three murder trials is set to begin.

Chick-fil-A is exploring an expansion into Downtown Jacksonville, offering lunch service temporarily at a former lobby coffee counter in Jax Tower at 50 North, according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.

A Gainesville man is heading to federal prison for nearly 15 years after robbing two Kay Jewelers stores and a Value Pawn shop across North Central Florida.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the City of Jacksonville announced Friday that the authority will not file a planned lawsuit against the city over a dispute about the airport budget.

News, notes and notables from Friday's training camp practice at the Miller Electric Center.

Democratic incumbent Kimberly Daniels drew one challenger, Rhian Tutson, also a Democrat. As no other candidates qualified in this race, the August primary will be a Universal Primary Contest, open to all voters in the district.

Local singer shares her faith based sound with Jacksonville

Cam’s Brain is a Jacksonville-based travel, food, and lifestyle brand created by Corey “Cam” McCorkle. On River City Live, Cam introduced The Pursuit, a documentary adventure series whose first season follows his attempt to visit every Buc-ee’s location open at departure, purchase an item at each stop, and complete an 8,000+ mile journey before a fixed travel budget runs out. The project celebrates exploration, local businesses, and the unforgettable stories found along America’s roads. Follow @camsbrain on Instagram and visit camsbrain7.com/the-pursuit to learn more and follow the journey.

Hope’s Closet Thrift Stores is helping Jacksonville families get ready for the new school year with its annual Back to School Sale, running July 25 through August 1, 2026. Shoppers can find kids’ clothing for just $1 on Saturdays only (July 25 and August 1), plus 15% off for students and teachers with a valid school ID and 20% off backpacks all week long. The sale is available at both Hope’s Closet locations in Jacksonville:- Arlington: 651 Commerce Center Drive, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32225 - San Pablo: 14286 Beach Boulevard, Suite 44, Jacksonville, FL 32250

A Jacksonville woman who pleaded guilty in the gruesome murder of a 41-year-old man she claimed groomed her from childhood is expected to learn her fate on Friday.

Northeast Florida’s first Cook Out restaurant is now open for business.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 30-year-old Kwanzel Parker, who disappeared after sending a concerning text message to his family and was last seen leaving his Palm Coast home Thursday morning.

A Jacksonville City Council member has proposed an ordinance aimed at tightening local rules for electric bicycles. It comes as Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office warn about safety concerns — especially with school starting soon.

Cornerstone Classical Academy, a charter school that first opened in Jacksonville, has put the shovel in the ground to make way for the Wildlight campus in Yulee.

The woman killed in a quadruple shooting on Jacksonville’s Westside has been identified as Christine Dixon, 57. Dixon was shot outside a home on Susie Street on Monday afternoon. Three other people were also hurt. Friends and family say she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Jacksonville city code enforcement and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) officials showed up in force at a Westside apartment complex Thursday morning, launching a multi-agency inspection into allegations of unpermitted subdividing of units.

A week after her first visit to Moncrief Road, News4JAX traffic anchor Sophia Vitello returned to Jacksonville’s Moncrief neighborhood — this time with local food creators and community advocates who viewers urged her to meet.

While most of the seats on the Jacksonville City Council won’t be up for election until the spring of 2027, this year, Jacksonville voters will cast ballots in a special election for one of the five at-large seats that covers the entire city.

A 36-year-old Jacksonville Marine veteran and former state prosecutor facing a federal indictment pleaded not guilty Thursday to threatening to kill President Donald Trump in social media videos and a message.

30 Local restaurants offering plant based menu items to introduce the lifestyle to newbies

Kent Justice tackles a question a lot of HOA homeowners are asking after the “Hammocks” case in South Florida: could HOA fraud happen here — and would anyone catch it in time? Kent’s guest is Marc Rodriguez, EVP of Market Operations at RealManage, who breaks down how financial oversight can fail inside volunteer-run boards, what practical controls can stop fraud before it starts, and how technology can add real transparency for both board members and homeowners.

A 26-year-old man was killed early Thursday morning in a shooting at an apartment complex on Jacksonville’s Northside, according to police.

An off-duty firefighter and several bystanders are being credited with saving the lives of a Florida family after their car plunged into a retention pond following a crash on Interstate 95.

A Jacksonville man who once faced sexual battery and false imprisonment charges is free after the charges were dropped, according to records.

Two former Jacksonville business owners say they invested thousands of dollars into their dreams, only to watch them collapse — along with the ceilings above them.

An interim CEO will lead JEA while the utility company’s current CEO, Vickie Cavey, takes an extended leave of absence, effective immediately.

What started as a normal day at the pool quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. But one mother’s training and determination helped bring her daughter back to life.

A 41-year-old Orlando man is facing more than a dozen felony charges connected to an alleged counterfeit check fraud scheme that investigators say spanned multiple counties, targeted seven businesses, and defrauded approximately seven financial institutions across Northeast Florida.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is responding to a reported drowning in the San Pablo neighborhood on Wednesday.

Be Pro Be Proud is bringing its mobile learning lab to Northeast Florida, giving middle- and high-school students a hands-on look at careers they might not have considered.

The Jaguars are off and running as training camp opened under clear skies and a little bit of cloud cover on Wednesday morning. The heat will turn up soon.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford delivered his farewell address to the JTA Board of Directors on Wednesday, even as a city council representative arrived at the board room with a clear agenda: eliminate the city’s autonomous vehicle program.

Singing competition for locals

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying the person responsible for abandoning a dog in a crate outside a local church — leaving it without food or water for three days.

With heat index values forecast to reach as high as 113 degrees today, JEA is urging customers to conserve energy and water and offering tips and programs to help lower summer bills.

Styled by Stefani, led by professional hairstylist Stefani Grant, showcased back‑to‑school hairstyles designed to be quick, durable, and on‑trend for Jacksonville students. The feature highlighted three young sisters with different hair types—long curly, straight, and short kinky curly—demonstrating versatile looks that hold up through PE, recess, and after‑school activities. Grant shared practical tips for reducing morning stress with simple, parent‑friendly styling techniques and products that support healthy hair. With over a decade of experience in healthy hair care and beauty education, she helps clients embrace their natural texture while staying current with the latest styles. Follow Styled by Stefani on Instagram @Styledby.Stefani for more tips, tutorials, and booking information.

A Jacksonville-based maritime company just secured two major new contracts — including a $2.2 billion Navy deal — and the work could shape both the local economy and U.S. military readiness for years to come.

More than 40 people gathered for a vigil honoring Yolanda Haynes, who was fatally stabbed outside a Jacksonville convenience store after allegedly refusing to lend money to Brittany McLean, who has since been charged with murder.

With dangerous heat index values forecast to soar as high as 113 degrees on Wednesday, the City of Jacksonville will open cooling centers and offer free bus rides to help residents cope with the extreme temperatures.

Jacksonville City Council members are set to take up a high-stakes vote Tuesday on whether to override Mayor Donna Deegan’s veto of Ordinance 2025-872, a measure that would shift some appointment power for two city-related boards from the mayor’s office to the City Council president.

The Jacksonville City Council introduced a new bill Tuesday night that would change the city’s economic incentive policy by pushing companies to hire more veterans and active-duty military spouses.

A Jacksonville man and Orange Park woman are each facing a manslaughter charge — among other charges — stemming from separate overdose investigations in Duval County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has $15.06 million worth of delinquent bills on its books, according to records provided to the Jacksonville Daily Record.