THANKSGIVING

It’s your chance to rub shoulders with some of the most outstanding members of our local African American communities and even some of the News4JAX team.

It’s your chance to rub shoulders with some of the most outstanding members of our local African American communities and even some of the News4JAX team.

Some Northeast Florida counties have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases following the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Thanksgiving is over but the cost of this year’s feast is still weighing heavy on pockets.

As families head home from their Thanksgiving plans, AAA predicts a busy travel weekend.

Leftovers are a staple of a big Thanksgiving dinner. But how should you store them to make sure they last?

Thousands of runners took part in the annual Tony’s Turkey Trot 5K in Atlantic Beach on Thanksgiving morning. The goal was to raise $200,000 for UF Health’s Trauma Center to help those with brain injuries.

Over 500 meals went out on Thanksgiving Day to those in need in Duval and Clay counties thanks to the efforts of volunteers with Ascension St. Vincent’s, Z-Trip and local law enforcement.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., anyone can show up to 2111 Restaurant and Daiquiri Lab on University Boulevard and get a hot cooked meal for free, courtesy of Chef Phantom.

Thanksgiving is usually a time of togetherness, but it can also be a time when tense conversations can happen at the dining room table.

It’s one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, and it’s expected to break records for the Thanksgiving holiday as millions take to the skies and hit the roads for their destinations.

Cloudy skies continue with the possibility of a peek or two of blue sky.  A little warmer today with warmer days through Saturday.

No one ever thinks it will happen to them, but Jacksonville Fire and Rescue said it receives calls on Thanksgiving day all the time about fires or burns from a turkey frying accident.

Because we know making ends meet is tough right now, News4JAX has been trying to help you save on the bills that really add up like your car insurance and homeowners’ insurance.

We have finally reached that time of year.

We got our questions answered by the experts.

Eileen Whitlock told News4JAX she would likely forgo any celebration, if not for giveaways such as these.

The Auto Club Group is activating its Tow to Go program, which provides transportation for the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle.

2.7 million Florida travelers will drive to their Thanksgiving destination. That’s about 91 percent, but it couldn’t come at a better time.

The Clara White Mission teamed up Saturday with the father of Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed 10 years ago outside a Southside gas station.

As Thanksgiving gets closer, the need for the popular fixings at the table is growing. There have already been several food giveaways locally to help those in need.

The Jaguars Foundation and Feeding Northeast Florida will hand out meals drive-thru style. There will be enough food to feed 600 households this year.

Though it is a season of giving, it is also a season when people need help.

The SEA Community Center and We Feed, Inc. partnered for the Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway. The event was organized to help families in need as the holiday season revs up. They give away free turkeys, free chef prepared meals, produce and hygiene products. With live music to make it a festive affair, families and friends came out to receive and support. Tyrone Bennett owns the Heart and Soul Food Truck and has made it his mission to give back to the St. Augustine community any way he can.

The Jaguars Foundation and Feeding Northeast Florida will hand out meals drive-thru style. There will be enough food to feed 600 households this year.

News4JAX has compiled a list of giveaways and distribution events in Northeast Florida to make your Thanksgiving a little brighter.

Thanks to the generosity of some Jacksonville-area organization and their supporters, local families will have a happy Thanksgiving — and a big bird for the holiday.

The days are ticking by as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving.

Nearly 55 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving. That includes 3 million Floridians. That's the most people since 2005.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re quickly turning the page from October to November.

Many popular stores, such as Walmart and Target, announced their stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

For almost a decade now, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has marked Giving Tuesday.

Hundreds of families throughout the community now have one more reason to give thanks.

Pete’s Bar Thanksgiving tradition is back on after being canceled for 2 years because of COVID-19.

The 7th annual Tony’s Turkey Trot for Brain Injury Awareness 5K drew hundreds of participants to the Beaches Town Center in Atlantic Beach on Thanksgiving morning to honor the legacy of Dr. Leon Haley Jr.

The National Safety Council is estimating at least 515 people across the U.S. will die on the roads over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Travelers are hitting the roads and taking to the skies for the Thanksgiving holiday, in numbers not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you're hosting, you're probably starting to make lists and consider what you need around the house. We're here to help.

If you have too much to drink tonight and don't have another option to get home, AAA is offering free rides through the weekend.

Before starting your holiday travel, it is important to make sure your car is ready for the road.

Family bragging rights, and maybe even some made-up trophies, are usually on the line for a game people look forward to annually.

We all love spoiling our pets, and amid the spoiling we do to ourselves on Thanksgiving with all the delicious food, some of us consider doing the same for our pets.

With more people coming for dinner, how can you make this Thanksgiving as smooth as possible?

We've got the perfect way to finish off your holiday meal: with condiments to top your tasty treats.

We're sharing some drinks you can pair with your Thanksgiving meal.

We're making the all-American dessert: apple pie, and we're starting with the key ingredient -- the perfect pie crust.

Have you ever sat back and wondered, “If I were a Thanksgiving food, what would I be?” ... Yeah, safe to say, probably no one has!

Practicing on Thanksgiving is one of the benchmarks of a successful high school football season. Bolles has plenty of experience with that.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you’ve likely either made a detailed grocery list, or you’ve thought a lot about what you will serve at the table.

If there ever was a month to be grateful it's November. The month of Thanksgiving and if you find yourself smiling after you take stock over your life there's something to that.

Thanksgiving is nearly a week away and with the ongoing supply chain issues , local groups are working harder to get food for those in need before the holiday.

From supply chain issues, to shortages at some stores -- feeding a family this Thanksgiving might be a bit intimidating.

If you plan to travel with your special cranberry sauce or favorite pie, you need to consider how you will pack it.

We want to know why you feel blessed in 2021.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for some, this might be the first time you’re seeing family members and friends in a long time.

We’ve finally entered the season of gratitude.

Don’t feel like cooking this year?

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pricier this year.

It's back! A popular Thanksgiving event is returning to Neptune Beach this year.

There are so many things to love about this time of year, including Friendsgiving, which is when a group of friends gathers together to celebrate Thanksgiving.

If you’re ready to get out of town for the holidays this year, experts are saying right now is the time to buy your flights.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Over the last two days, Florida saw an increase of 17,344 COVID-19 cases and the state could reach one million cases by Monday. The pandemic didn’t keep people from traveling for the holiday and some weren’t interested in getting tested beforehand to check if visiting family was wise. Dr. Reza said this holiday will expose thousands more cases in the coming weeks. During that time, he says you should quarantine, even if you know a family member tested positive after the holiday. We asked News4Jax viewers if they planned on getting tested after traveling for the holiday.

Carianne Luter is a social media producer for News4Jax and has worked at Channel 4 since December 2015. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in communications.

“We’re going to all the different zones in Duval County then from there we’re going to clay county and then ending up in Saint Johns County,” Dr. Saman Soleymani, Avecina Medical, said. Dr. Soleymani said his team is feeding nearly 600 officers in Duval, Clay and St. Johns Counties from 911 dispatch officers, to prison officers and those patrolling the streets. Dr. Soleymani and his team stopped at substation throughout the counties to drop off the hot meals. Soleimani and Dr. Modell at Avecina Medical are amazing,” Zona said. “They risk their lives to protect us and this is a way for us to thank them,” said Dr. Soleymani.

Aside from sitting at a table on Thanksgiving Day and giving thanks for all that we have, there are a lot of other things associated with the holiday: turkeys, football, parades and more.

With many medical experts urging Americans to make this year’s Thanksgiving scaled down, many of us will probably only see people in our “bubble,” so holiday is going to feel a little bit different. Thanks to technology, you can still gather with your extended family.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It is a tradition that even the coronavirus pandemic couldn’t stop: the City Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving meal for the homeless. The annual event, held Wednesday, had all the traditions of your typical Thanksgiving celebration: music, gift bags and, of course, a holiday meal packed to go. “There were times I needed shoes, jackets and food, and I knew they were here,” Chandra Niciu told News4Jax as she picked up her Thanksgiving meal. “The great thing is they’re making sure people are being taken care of and being fed,” Curry said. A new addition this year is a COVID-19 testing site at City Rescue Mission.

Thanksgiving is a time for all that’s delicious in the world: All the best appetizers, side dishes, a perfectly moist turkey, seasonal drinks and dessert.

We want to hear about your Thanksgiving traditions.

Ninety-three volunteers helped prepare and serve the meals for the line of people that stretched from Clara White Mission Center, south a block to Church and Broad. At least 50 people were waiting in line for a Thanksgiving meal when our News4Jax cameras were there. “We’re still doing a lot of the same services we have always provided, that hasn’t changed,” said Michelle Paul, Board president for Clara White Mission. Drop-off for food donations/contributions will be accepted from Wednesday, Nov. 25 until Tuesday, Dec. 22 at the Clara White Mission in historic LaVilla on the corner of Broad & Ashley streets. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, call the Clara White Mission at 904-354-4162 or visit our web site at www.clarawhitemission.org.

There’s been a lot of chatter about Thanksgiving already. If there were ever a time to do something different than a classic turkey dinner, this is probably it.

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Clay Humane, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Orange Park, urges pet owners to keep animals safe this Thanksgiving. Don’t give pets a lot of new foods at once: Foods that are new or different for your pet can cause stomach distress. Do not give pets poisonous foods: Some foods, including chocolate, onions, raisins, grapes and alcohol, are hazardous for animals. Know when and how to seek veterinary help: Should your pet get sick over Thanksgiving, ensure that you know the names and addresses of nearby emergency veterinarians. Compose a list of emergency veterinarians that will be open on Thanksgiving and keep it handy in emergency situations.

Cooking up a giant turkey packed with stuffing might not be as realistic for some, especially if you live alone or with a roommate or two.

Shop in-store or order for pickup or delivery and save money on Thanksgiving dinner. The Free Thanksgiving Dinner program hopes to make a difficult holiday season more rewarding for families everywhere by giving them a delicious meal without the financial burden. The Walmart-exclusive items included in the Free Thanksgiving Dinner program are: (approx. Add offers -- Follow the instructions to add all nine free Thanksgiving Dinner offers to Your list at Walmart. Shop & earn -- Shop at Walmart in-store with the Ibotta app.

People reluctant to follow CDC suggestions to celebrate Thanksgiving safely? Published: November 15, 2020, 6:21 pmThe majority of Americans do plan to take extra precautions at holiday gatherings such as social distancing and asking those with symptoms to not attend, according to a new survey from Ohio State University.

AAA released its annual Thanksgiving travel report and said 2.4 million people will be hitting the skies for this holiday. UF Health Jacksonville’s Director of Infectious disease, Chad Neilsen, told News4Jax it is important to be prepared to travel with other people during a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released new guidance that says a double layer mask could help not only stop the spread of COVID-19, but protect the person wearing it. Neilsen said a double layer mask is exactly how it sounds it’s two pieces of fabric. “Start limiting certain events that could be risky so particularly college students, stop going to bars, stop going to restaurants so that way you’re limiting your risk of bringing it home,” Neilsen said.

Don't get out those Christmas decorations just yet.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is a growing list of major retailers closing stores on Thanksgiving Day in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many popular stores, such as Walmart and Target, announced their stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. RELATED: Santa Claus won’t be coming to Macy’s this yearHere’s a full list of stores confirmed so far that will be closed on Thanksgiving:ALDIAcademy Sports and OutdoorsAT&TBarnes & NobleBath & Body WorksBed Bath & BeyondBest BuyBealls -- Bealls OutletBJ’sBoscov’sBurlingtonCostcoDick’s Sporting GoodsFoot LockerGameStopThe Home DepotH&M StoresHobby LobbyJCPenneyKohl’sLamps PlusLowe’sOld NavyMacy’sMarshall’sNordstrom (Rack)Office Depot/OfficeMaxPetcoPetsmartPier 1REISearsSimon Property GroupStaplesStein MartTargetT.J MaxxTractor Supply StoresUltaUnder ArmourThe Outlet Resource GroupWalmartWilliams-SonomaClick here for more information. Let us know!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many families are trying to figure out how to celebrate safely in the midst of the pandemic and keep older relatives physically, but not socially, distant. Kenneth Koncilja, a geriatrics specialist at Cleveland Clinic, said it’s a tough call as to whether elderly loved ones should stay home this year. For months, COVID-19 has forced many of us to keep our distance from the elderly, as older people are at higher risk and have higher mortality rates from COVID-19. That leaves many families wondering how to keep elderly relatives safe, without depriving them of time to socialize. If your relatives don’t feel comfortable coming over, there are still ways to connect with them.

As with most events, we should expect Thanksgiving to look different this year due to COVID-19. Khabbaza reminds us the safest gatherings this Thanksgiving are either virtual or with the people living in your home. New CDC guidelinesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recently released updated guidance on holiday gathering ahead of Thanksgiving. The CDC agreed that the lowest risk is simply celebrating Thanksgiving in your own home with members of your household and/or virtually with extended family. But for those attending a gathering, the CDC offered some ways to celebrate more safely:Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.

Kohls on Wednesday became the latest retailer to announce its stores would be closed on Thanksgiving Day due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company posted the announcement on its website, along with a statement from CEO Michelle Gass, who attributed the decision to shifting customer habits. The holiday season is when Kohls shines brightest, and as we move into the holiday season of this very unusual year, we are adapting our plans in response to changing customer expectations and behaviors, Gass said. We are deeply appreciative of how our team of Kohls associates have shown up to serve our customers through this pandemic and know that they will continue to show Kohls at our best throughout the holidays.Kohls joins Best Buy, Target and Walmart, among other retailers, which previously said their stores would not open on the holiday that has become a major shopping day over the years.

Add Target to the list of major retailers closing their doors on Thanksgiving this year. In a news release Monday, the retail chain announced its stores would not be open during the November holiday, which is routinely a popular shopping day for American families:Lets face it: Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events, and this isnt a year for crowds. Thats why our biggest holiday deals will be available earlier than ever, so you can shop safely and conveniently without worrying about missing out on deals that usually come later in the season.In lieu of Thanksgiving deals, the retailer is promoting in-store and online shopping in October and during the days leading up to and after Nov. 26 as opportunities for people to score big savings. Target joins Walmart and Sams Club, which announced last week that their locations would be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. The closures are an effort to limit crowds with the potential to spread coronavirus.

Inexpensive ways to set up your families tablePublished: November 26, 2019, 8:59 amThanksgiving is just two days away and many of you may be getting ready to put together your table for Thursday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of people spent a cold night, waiting in line for a warm meal this holiday from the Mandarin Food Bank. Some camped out overnight to receive meals they said they would have otherwise not been able to provide for their families. We give them produce so it’s enough for a Thanksgiving meal and leftovers and extra things,” Kaminski said. In order to receive meals, you must be a client of the Mandarin Food Bank. You can drop off donations by stopping by the food bank Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For some people, the menu has been set for a month.

Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, the best holiday to stuff your face with delicious food, but eating turkey cooked the same way every year can get a tad boring, which is why you need to try wrapping your turkey in bacon.