Crisis in the classroom: The overwhelming response when we asked about the teacher shortage
Crisis in the classroom: The overwhelming response when we asked about the teacher shortage. We received more than a thousand responses from people when we asked the top three reasons behind teacher shortages. Florida leads the nation in teacher shortages, but the national data from Brown University doesn't explain why. Teachers play a crucial role in preparing the next generation and often spend more time with our kids than we do. Lack of pay, hours, stress, and politics are cited as major factors contributing to the shortage.
TELL US: How do you feel about anyone under 18 years old needing a license to drive a golf cart in St. Johns County?
The St. Johns County Commission approved a second reading of a golf cart ordinance Tuesday requiring anyone 18-years or younger to possess a valid learners or driverโs license in order to operate one. This matches a state law that passed last year.
TRUST INDEX: Fact checking claims made during the DeSantis/Newsom debate
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom squared off in a a contentious debate Thursday night and News4JAX is running some of the statements they made through the Trust Index. The two clashed on several issues including the economy, and gun control, and the city of Jacksonville was also mentioned in the governorsโ discussion about crime rates.
Appeals court hears arguments after judge ruled North Florida Black congressional district was purposely dismantled
Lawyers representing Black voters told a three-judge federal panel that Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the U.S. Constitution by deliberately dismantling a congressional district that favored Black candidates.
National civil rights leaders plan hate crime summit in Jacksonville
Nearly one week after a gunman killed three Black people in New Town, National civil rights leader Al Sharpton, the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and the Anti-Defamation League announced plans Monday to bring a hate crime summit to Jacksonville.
Racially motivated deadly mass shooting brings attention to New Town neighborhood
The racially motivated murders in Jacksonvilleโs New Town community have created grief and additional strain in an urban neighborhood that was already experiencing challenges. There are no grocery stores in New Town, no restaurants, or access to shopping.
Poll: UNF students โstrongly disagreeโ with removal of DEI programs, courses
A poll of more than 800 students, and a handful of faculty, staff and others, at the University of North Florida showed overwhelming approval of the institutionโs diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, programs and courses.
Students, faculty, alumni blast Gov. DeSantisโ collection of โgender dysphoria servicesโ info from public universities
Governor Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, has collected information from the stateโs public universities about the number and ages of individuals who have received or even sought gender-affirming care over the past five years.
I-TEAM: Gov. DeSantis gets backlash from Hispanic leaders and political challenger Charlie Crist over transporting migrants
On the heels of a federal lawsuit filed against Governor Ron DeSantis, the State of Florida and other state officials over transporting 50 migrants to Marthaโs Vineyard from Texasโฆ DeSantisโ challenger in the governorโs race - Charlie Crist - held a virtual meeting with leaders in the Hispanic community. They allege the migrants were misled before boarding the planes, which they say is a violation of the law.
Duval County School Board candidate shows favor for DeSantis endorsing local candidates, Duval Democrats speak out
Gov. DeSantis made his rounds around Florida Sunday on his Education Tour. He made a stop in Jacksonville and brought out some of the candidates heโs endorsing for school board positions in the area.
I-TEAM: Newly released documents reveal which items were flagged as Critical Race Theory in textbooks
The News4JAX I-TEAM is digging through thousands of documents just released by the Florida Department of Education. They reveal what textbook reviewers flagged as Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other prohibited topics which led to the rejection of 54 unpublished math books. Governor DeSantis has targeted Critical Race Theory -- saying the book authors are trying to โindoctrinateโ Florida students.
Floridaโs Education Dept. rejects 54 school textbooks for โprohibited topicsโ
In its review of 132 math textbooks that were submitted for consideration, the Florida Department of Education rejected 54, claiming they contain โprohibited topicsโ such as critical race theory, social-emotional learning and Common Core frameworks.
Controversial โviewpointโ survey sent to Floridaโs colleges draws criticism from faculty
The survey is in response to HB 233 signed into law in 2021 by Governor DeSantis, who, at the time, claimed universities were prone to suppressing certain political viewpoints, though he did not cite any specific examples or elaborate on which viewpoints were being suppressed.
DeSantis blasts Disney for โwokeโ response on Florida sexual identity in schools bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis is condemning Disneyโs response to Floridaโs bill banning discussion of sexual orientation and identity in some classrooms, calling the company โwokeโ and saying itโs fallen for โphony hysteriaโ from the corporate media.
DeSantis: Satellite company to invest $300 million, bring 2,000 jobs to Floridaโs Space Coast
Terran Orbital, a micro-satellite company, plans to invest $300 million in a massive commercial spacecraft and constellation facility to Space Florida on Merritt Island, Gov. DeSantis and the company announced Monday.
As DeSantis pressures school districts on COVID-19 policy, Biden administration replaces withheld state funds
In its latest emergency rule issued Wednesday, the Florida Department of Education renewed pressure on local school boards to refrain from mandating face masks without a parental option to opt-out, something at least 10 school districts have done anyway.
Biden tells education secretary to take on governors blocking masks in schools
During a Wednesday afternoon news conference on the COVID-19 crisis in America, President Joe Biden said he is directing the secretary of education to take action against governors who attempt to block school mask mandates.
200+ Duval County students, faculty tested positive for COVID-19 during summer programs
Duval County students and staff taking part in summer activities were not spared the scourge of COVID-19, as more than 200 tested positive between June 3 and July 28, according to data provided by Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).