WEATHER ALERT
Trump administration nixes plan to cover anti-obesity drugs through Medicare
Read full article: Trump administration nixes plan to cover anti-obesity drugs through MedicarePresident Donald Trump’s administration has decided not to cover expensive, high-demand obesity treatments under the government-funded Medicare program.
Retirees keep their eyes on the economy as Trump's tariffs roil financial markets
Read full article: Retirees keep their eyes on the economy as Trump's tariffs roil financial marketsWith financial markets roiling as President Donald Trump unveiled his latest tariffs this week, the economy has been top of mind for many retirees.
Washington and Oregon sue over Trump elections order, saying mail voters could be disenfranchised
Read full article: Washington and Oregon sue over Trump elections order, saying mail voters could be disenfranchisedWashington and Oregon have become the latest states to ask a court to reject President Donald Trump’s efforts to overhaul elections in the U.S., a day after Democratic officials in 19 others filed a similar lawsuit.
3 former Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders uplift the city through leadership, service
Read full article: 3 former Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders uplift the city through leadership, serviceFor three former Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders, leadership, service, and spirit didn’t end when they stepped off the field. Now professionals, mothers, and community leaders, these women are using the lessons learned on the sidelines to inspire and uplift Jacksonville in powerful ways.
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Microsoft's 50th anniversary party over Israel contract
Read full article: Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Microsoft's 50th anniversary party over Israel contractPro-Palestinian protesters interrupted Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration Friday, the latest backlash over the tech industry’s work to supply artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military.
Southeastern Grocers lays off employees in decision to restructure support center in Jacksonville, field support teams
Read full article: Southeastern Grocers lays off employees in decision to restructure support center in Jacksonville, field support teamsSoutheastern Grocers, which owns Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets, confirmed to News4JAX on Friday that it has laid off multiple employees as a part of a restructuring.
Interior secretary orders national parks to be open and accessible as workforce is cut
Read full article: Interior secretary orders national parks to be open and accessible as workforce is cutU.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is directing national parks to remain open and accessible despite staff cuts, And he says officials will ensure proper staffing to let that happen.
Supreme Court allows Trump administration to cut teacher-training money, for now
Read full article: Supreme Court allows Trump administration to cut teacher-training money, for nowThe Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s plea to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money as part of its anti-DEI efforts.
About 500 law firms sign brief challenging Trump's executive orders targeting the legal community
Read full article: About 500 law firms sign brief challenging Trump's executive orders targeting the legal communityPresident Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting the legal community pose “a grave threat to our system of constitutional governance and to the rule of law itself."
Hegseth is to travel to Panama for meetings following Trump's demands for the canal
Read full article: Hegseth is to travel to Panama for meetings following Trump's demands for the canalDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Panama next week to meet its leaders following recent U.S. allegations of Chinese interference in the operations of the critical Panama Canal shipping lane.
A list of the largest settlements reached by organizations and victims of sexual abuse
Read full article: A list of the largest settlements reached by organizations and victims of sexual abuseLos Angeles County has reached a $4 billion agreement to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959.
Billionaires Musk and Soros push Wisconsin Supreme Court race spending over $100M
Read full article: Billionaires Musk and Soros push Wisconsin Supreme Court race spending over $100MSpending by billionaires including Elon Musk and George Soros has helped push total spending on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race won by the Democratic-backed candidate over $100 million.
ACLU, pro-immigrant groups file federal lawsuit to block Florida law that makes it a crime to enter state illegally
Read full article: ACLU, pro-immigrant groups file federal lawsuit to block Florida law that makes it a crime to enter state illegallyThe American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida and other pro-immigrant groups filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday to challenge Senate Bill 4C, a law that makes it a crime for people to enter the state illegally.
Chemical industry seeks exemptions from US pollution rules as part of Trump administration offer
Read full article: Chemical industry seeks exemptions from US pollution rules as part of Trump administration offerIndustry groups representing hundreds of chemical and petrochemical manufacturers are seeking blanket exemptions from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene.
Trump administration rolls back forest protections in bid to ramp up logging
Read full article: Trump administration rolls back forest protections in bid to ramp up loggingPresident Donald Trump's administration has rolled back environmental protections around future logging projects on more than half of U.S. national forests under an emergency designation issued Friday that cites the dangers of wildfires.
Judge blocks Trump from dismantling agency that funds community groups in Latin American countries
Read full article: Judge blocks Trump from dismantling agency that funds community groups in Latin American countriesA federal judge agreed on Friday to block the Trump administration from dismantling an independent agency that distributes grant money to community development groups in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
HabiJax building 5 new houses on the Eastside to address affordable housing demand
Read full article: HabiJax building 5 new houses on the Eastside to address affordable housing demandVolunteers with HabiJax were in the Long Branch neighborhood throughout the week as construction of five new houses continued. It is a part the program’s annual Leaders Week and the national “Home is the Key” campaign.
LA County reaches $4 billion agreement to settle sexual abuse claims at juvenile facilities
Read full article: LA County reaches $4 billion agreement to settle sexual abuse claims at juvenile facilitiesOfficials say Los Angeles County has reached a $4 billion agreement to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959.
Chevron ordered to pay more than $740 million to restore Louisiana coast in landmark trial
Read full article: Chevron ordered to pay more than $740 million to restore Louisiana coast in landmark trialA Southeast Louisiana jury ruled oil company Chevron must pay more than $740 million dollars to restore damage it caused to coastal wetlands following a landmark trial more than a decade in the making.
Congress has the power to halt Trump's tariffs. But Republicans aren't ready to use it
Read full article: Congress has the power to halt Trump's tariffs. But Republicans aren't ready to use itRepublicans in Congress are watching with unease as stock markets tumble in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
Feeding Northeast Florida working around federal cuts to keep helping those in need
Read full article: Feeding Northeast Florida working around federal cuts to keep helping those in needFeeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is working around federal cuts to programs to maintain food availability for the community.
Palm Coast man linked to ‘Scattered Spider’ cybercrime gang pleads guilty to charges related to cryptocurrency theft
Read full article: Palm Coast man linked to ‘Scattered Spider’ cybercrime gang pleads guilty to charges related to cryptocurrency theftA 20-year-old Palm Coast man linked to a massive cybercriminal gang pleaded guilty in a Jacksonville federal courtroom Friday morning to charges including conspiracy and wire fraud.
Panamanian ex-leader Martinelli remains in the Nicaraguan Embassy after window to leave expired
Read full article: Panamanian ex-leader Martinelli remains in the Nicaraguan Embassy after window to leave expiredPanama’s ex-President Ricardo Martinelli remains inside the Nicaraguan Embassy more than a year after he first entered and a week after Panama said it would allow him to leave.
China hit brakes on TikTok deal after Trump announced wide-ranging tariffs, AP source says
Read full article: China hit brakes on TikTok deal after Trump announced wide-ranging tariffs, AP source saysPresident Donald Trump says he is signing an executive order to keep TikTok running in the U.S. for another 75 days.
The Energy Department identifies thousands of nonessential positions at risk of DOGE cuts
Read full article: The Energy Department identifies thousands of nonessential positions at risk of DOGE cutsThe Energy Department has identified thousands of federal workers it deems "nonessential" and would not be protected if there is a large-scale reduction in force.
An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having it
Read full article: An AI avatar tried to argue a case before a New York court. The judges weren't having itA man appearing before a New York court got a scolding from a judge after he tried to use an avatar generated by artificial intelligence to argue his case.
US tariffs ripple through auto supply chains into Mexico
Read full article: US tariffs ripple through auto supply chains into MexicoAuto workers expressed uncertainty and hope outside a Stellantis assembly plant in central Mexico that is scheduled to begin a month-long pause in production.
Nearly half of National Weather Service offices have 20% vacancy rates, and experts say it's a risk
Read full article: Nearly half of National Weather Service offices have 20% vacancy rates, and experts say it's a riskData obtained by The Associated Press shows that close to half of the local National Weather Service forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates as severe weather chugs across the nation’s heartland.
Tornadoes will become more frequent in coming weeks. Here's what to know if your home is destroyed
Read full article: Tornadoes will become more frequent in coming weeks. Here's what to know if your home is destroyedAn average of 1,200 tornadoes hit yearly, and the United States will probably get more killer supercells spawning tornadoes and hail as the world warms.
Longtime Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson is leaving. He cited Bezos' new editorial policy
Read full article: Longtime Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson is leaving. He cited Bezos' new editorial policyPulitzer Prize winning columnist Eugene Robinson says he is leaving the Washington Post.
Prince Andrew's damaged reputation led to links with Chinese man accused of spying, documents show
Read full article: Prince Andrew's damaged reputation led to links with Chinese man accused of spying, documents showPrince Andrew’s damaged reputation and desperate need for cash are again causing headaches for King Charles III after a court released more documents showing how Andrew’s problems led him to become entangled with a suspected Chinese spy.
ACPS needs your help for its 2025 ‘Shelter Slumber Pawty’
Read full article: ACPS needs your help for its 2025 ‘Shelter Slumber Pawty’These annual slumber parties, which are designed to encourage community members to get creative in their support for their local shelters, offer unique opportunities to get involved, such as spending the night at the shelter.
Microsoft's AI division head wants to create a lasting relationship between chatbots and their users
Read full article: Microsoft's AI division head wants to create a lasting relationship between chatbots and their usersFifty years after the founding of Microsoft, the CEO of its artificial intelligence division has a big task: develop a new product line as integral to daily life as the software giant’s past innovations.
Nationwide pickleball fever reaches St. Johns County as area sees exponential growth in number of players
Read full article: Nationwide pickleball fever reaches St. Johns County as area sees exponential growth in number of playersSt. Johns County is witnessing an explosive rise in the popularity of pickleball, a sport that’s quickly become the fastest-growing sport in the country.
Musical theater's beloved show 'The Last Five Years' finally makes it to Broadway
Read full article: Musical theater's beloved show 'The Last Five Years' finally makes it to BroadwayNick Jonas was only 9 and portraying a teacup on Broadway when he first heard about a buzzy new musical playing way downtown.
Jacksonville’s Mutt March returns for fun-filled day of dogs and community
Read full article: Jacksonville’s Mutt March returns for fun-filled day of dogs and communityAfter a five-year break, the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) is back with its beloved Mutt March, Northeast Florida’s largest pet-friendly walk and festival.
How tiny Lesotho ended up with the highest US tariffs in the world
Read full article: How tiny Lesotho ended up with the highest US tariffs in the worldU.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs have struck among others the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho, one of the world's poorest nations.
Senate takes up a budget plan crafted by Republicans to advance Trump's agenda
Read full article: Senate takes up a budget plan crafted by Republicans to advance Trump's agendaThe Senate is diving into a contentious debate on a budget plan critical to Republican efforts to pass trillions of dollars in tax cuts and boost border security and defense spending.
New stores, apartments crop up as St. Johns County growth drives Durbin Pavilion development
Read full article: New stores, apartments crop up as St. Johns County growth drives Durbin Pavilion developmentThe ongoing growth in the Durbin Pavilion area is evident as new stores and apartments continue to emerge.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs hit with new sex trafficking charges a month before trial
Read full article: Sean 'Diddy' Combs hit with new sex trafficking charges a month before trialFederal prosecutors have added two charges to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ indictment, expanding on allegations that the jailed hip-hop mogul engaged in sex trafficking as recently as last year.
Baker County teacher arrested, accused of taping student to chair inside classroom: arrest report
Read full article: Baker County teacher arrested, accused of taping student to chair inside classroom: arrest reportA teacher at Westside Elementary School was arrested Thursday after being accused of taping a student to a chair inside a classroom, according to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office.
As stock market continues plummeting over tariffs, Trump spends the day at his golf course
Read full article: As stock market continues plummeting over tariffs, Trump spends the day at his golf coursePresident Donald Trump says his trade policies will never change despite sending the global economy into a tailspin by announcing tariffs on foreign imports.
Federal Reserve chief says Trump tariffs likely to raise inflation and slow US economic growth
Read full article: Federal Reserve chief says Trump tariffs likely to raise inflation and slow US economic growthUS Fed Chair Jerome Powell says the Trump administration’s expansive new tariffs will likely lead to higher inflation and slower growth.
A pole vaulting ‘factory’ in a St. Johns County neighborhood is dedicated to bringing the sport more attention
Read full article: A pole vaulting ‘factory’ in a St. Johns County neighborhood is dedicated to bringing the sport more attentionPole Vaulting has been an Olympic track and field event since 1896. In 2000, women were finally allowed to compete in the event. On a quiet street in the Switzerland neighborhood, people may notice a red, grey, and navy blue flag outside a home, which will lead them to the “FL Pole Vault Factory, a business dedicated to bringing more attention to the sport and helping produce more elite Olympic level athletes.
The death toll in the North Macedonia nightclub fire rises to 60 after a burn victim dies
Read full article: The death toll in the North Macedonia nightclub fire rises to 60 after a burn victim diesNorth Macedonia's health minister says a critically injured burn victim from a nightclub fire last month in an eastern town has died while receiving treatment in Lithuania.
Trump administration issues demands on Harvard as conditions for billions in federal money
Read full article: Trump administration issues demands on Harvard as conditions for billions in federal moneySome alumni want Harvard to resist Trump administration demands the university must meet to receive $9 billion in federal grants and contracts being threatened during an investigation into campus antisemitism.
Kurdish fighters leave northern city in Syria as part of deal with central government
Read full article: Kurdish fighters leave northern city in Syria as part of deal with central governmentScores of U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters have left two neighborhoods in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo part of a deal with the central government in Damascus.