First Coast News
Get moving when a storm threatens: Hurricane Preparedness Week Day 4
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As Hurricane Preparedness Week continues, we dive into Day 4 with a crucial reminder: when a storm threatens, it's time to get moving. This day focuses on proactive steps you can take to ensure your safety, protect your home, and assist others in your community. From safeguarding your property to planning for evacuation, being prepared can make all the difference.
3 years after Tristyn Bailey was murdered, her family is focused on making community safer
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Thursday marks three years since Tristyn Bailey was fatally stabbed by her classmate in St. Johns County. The 13-year-old cheerleader was killed on Mother's Day 2021. Her family is carrying on her legacy through the Tristyn Bailey Foundation. Wednesday, they hosted a presentation at...
Events being held in Brunswick to honor Ahmaud Arbery on what would have been his 30th birthday
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Two separate events are being held in Brunswick on Wednesday to honor Ahmaud Arbery on what would have been his 30th birthday. Arbery, who was 25 years old at the time he was murdered, was chased and killed while he was running in the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick in 2020. His killers, three white men, were convicted of federal hate crimes in 2022 for his murder in a case that sparked a national outcry.
Parents and community continue DCPS school closure and consolidation conversation at meeting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Parents, teachers and elected officials called on Duval County Public School leaders to find solutions for the task the district is facing, from school closures to teacher cuts. All eyes and ears were on DCPS Headquarters Tuesday evening, an hour before the School Board meeting began.
Police: Woman expected to be OK after being shot while inside her condo in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A woman is "alert" and conscious Wednesday morning after she was shot while inside her condominium on Jacksonville's Southside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. JSO's Sergeant Dukes says "a little after 1 a.m.," officers were notified of the woman that was shot. The woman in...
Dozens of cars burglarized at two Southside apartment complexes
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of Southside neighbors are cleaning up the mess after their car windows were smashed. The break-ins happened early Tuesday morning at the Auburn Glen and Antlers Apartments off Southside Boulevard. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it was called to the Antlers Apartments around 4 a.m....
Survivor of Hamas attack on music festival shares his story ahead of visit to Sarasota
SARASOTA, Fla. — The ripple effects of events happening in Gaza are felt in communities and among families in the Tampa Bay area. One of the survivors of the Oct. 7 festival attack in Israel will visit Sarasota next week to share his story at an important local gathering.
DCPS board narrows superintendent search down to two candidates
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County School's superintendent search is down to two. The board unanimously voted at a meeting Tuesday to send Dr. Daniel Smith and Dr. Chris Bernier to the final round. Smith served as the Chief of Staff for Loudon County Schools in the Washington D.C. suburbs.
City of Jacksonville helps hundreds of people with mental health questions during phone bank
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Phone lines stayed busy Tuesday as mental health professionals answered calls from people looking for information on resources in the community. The one-day phone bank was part of the roll out of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's new Mental Health Matters Jax initiative. Lynn Sherman, the Director...
Understanding hurricane forecasts and tropical threats
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Part of preparing for a hurricane is knowing what the forecast means for you and your area. Let’s start with watches and warnings. Do you know the difference?. Generally, a watch means conditions are possible within 48 hours, and a warning means conditions are expected...
Report: Man accused of videotaping women in Jacksonville department store says he was 'just excited'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new report gives detail on an 18-year-old who was arrested on a video voyeurism charge Wednesday after a video went viral showing customers in a Jacksonville Marshalls store confronting the teen they said was recording women in the restroom. Titus Hugh McDonell remains in Duval...
71-year-old log truck driver survives collision with train
LAWTEY, Fla. — Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith says drivers should expect "significant delays" after a crash involving a train and log truck happened at U.S. Highway 301 and Lake Street in Lawtey Tuesday morning. Officials with the Bradford County Sheriff office say the driver of the log truck,...
'One of the best and worst things': Putnam Co. Sheriff's Office on using social media to solve cases
PALATKA, Fla. — You may hear about the Crime Stoppers hotline all the time, reporting information on a crime anonymously, but how does that really help police investigations? The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says your tip can help. A video you may find while scrolling through social media might...
Latest proposal for Jacksonville's River City Brewing site features more 'ambitious' plans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Plans to develop the site of the old River City Brewery on Jacksonville's Southbank could soon be taking a big step forward. On Friday, the Downtown Investment Authority will review the latest proposal from 'The Related Group.' It includes a 25-story tower with at least 390 luxury apartments and at least 4,000 square feet of restaurant space.
Duval County Public Schools to choose three finalists for next superintendent
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Time is moving closer to learning who will become the next superintendent for Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). On Tuesday, the school board will select its finalists to take on the job. Currently, there are five semifinalists vowing to be the next superintendent; one candidate withdrew their name from the list.
27 complaints filed with Florida Attorney General's office against Jacksonville outdoor company
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A spokesperson with the Florida Attorney General's Office says 27 complaints have been filed against Premier Outdoor USA on Philips Highway in Jacksonville. In April, the Ask Anthony team started looking into complaints about Premier Outdoor USA. Customers say they paid thousands of dollars for outdoor...
Emerald Trail gets closer to reality with ribbon cutting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After years of planning, paving, and painting, part of the Emerald Trail is open for business. Jacksonville Mayor was joined by several city leaders to cut the ribbon on the LaVilla segment of the Emerald Trail. “Around downtown, it’s my main form of transportation," said Dimitri...
'Mental Health Matters': Jacksonville Mayor announces new mental health initiative
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville is kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with a new initiative. Mayor Donna Deegan launched three new programs to address the growing need for mental health resources across the First Coast. “Mental health matters. It is just as important as physical health...
Planning to buy concert tickets? Here's advice following Luke Combs' Jacksonville ticket fiasco
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Are you looking forward to a summer full of live music?. After a number of people were turned away at the entrance of a concert in Jacksonville Friday after buying tickets on Stub Hub, First Coast News is On Your Side to make sure when the show goes on, you'll be there. Invalid ticket issues in Jacksonville were the worst country star Luke Combs ever experienced, his manager said.
Stories of Service: Operation New Uniform
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There are thousands of members of the military who live on the First Coast, and while the region has one of the largest military populations in the country, our veteran population is even larger. In this week's Stories of Service, we salute the latest graduates of...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.