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.

A neighbor urged greater vigilance in teaching gun safety around children after a 2-year-old boy died in what the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said was an accidental shooting inside a Northside home.

The Minnesota Vikings have suspended defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks without pay following a drunken driving charge for an incident in April.

Abandoned and damaged boats linger in Florida’s waterways, costing the state roughly $6 million-$7 million a year to remove — and frustrated boaters and those who fish say the cleanup process moves far too slowly.

The City of Jacksonville said reservations for downtown’s new Met Park Marina will open at 9 a.m. Friday on the marina’s website. Reservation dates begin Aug. 12, with overnight stays available the evening before, and slips will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy and for failing to appear for sentencing.

The Herring Sisters created this organization to give back to the community

The family of the two teens killed in a violent crash on Edgewood Avenue described them as active teens who were full of life, and they’re relying on their faith to get them through this trying time.

With students returning to classrooms Aug. 10, Duval County Public Schools leaders say they’re entering the new school year focused on maintaining academic momentum, improving school safety and strengthening transportation while working to attract more families back to the district.

A boy died late Monday night after being shot in a residential area on the Northside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

San Jose neighbors are demanding a voice in the redevelopment of the former Kings Trail Elementary School site, where a 110-unit housing development has been proposed. The San Jose Neighborhood Association presented five conditions to the planning commission — including wetlands preservation and traffic routing changes — but says all five were ignored as the commission moved forward with the rezoning.

The team deployed to Texas for nine days to help families impacted by historic flooding in the state.

Florida lawmakers have approved another $564,500 for a school safety drone program that its backers say could change how active shooter incidents are handled, bringing the state’s investment to more than $1.1 million over two years.

A 36-year-old Jacksonville woman has been arrested and charged with murder after another woman was fatally stabbed outside a convenience store on Kings Road last week, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

A planned Corner Lot hotel on Riverside Avenue could receive up to $8 million in city incentives, according to a memo presented to the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee.

Just more than three months after Adventure Landing closed in St. Augustine, Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum plans on redeveloping a portion of the 7.1-acre property on State Road 16.

Two teenage boys died Saturday morning in a violent crash on Edgewood Avenue that left the Toyota Camry they were riding in crushed under a large pick-up truck that was hauling two vehicles, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Drivers crossing the Dames Point Bridge may have noticed construction activity and helicopters hovering along the St. Johns River. It’s all part of JEA’s Fulton Cut transmission clearance project — a major infrastructure effort aimed at expanding Jacksonville’s economic reach.

A report from a Jacksonville firm found that grocery affordability has improved since its low point in 2023, but many consumers continue to shop with a heightened focus on value, promotions and price comparisons.

A longtime Pawsitive Reader at Jacksonville Humane Society is being recognized for a major milestone: 100 hours reading to shelter pets.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it is searching for an 18-year-old man who was last seen leaving his home on Whispering Oaks Drive North near Fort Caroline Road in the Arlington area.

Organizations partner to give back to underserved urban communities

The LOL JAX Film Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary supporting local talent, with screenings Aug. 1-2 at WJCT Studios.

The brother of a 42-year-old Jacksonville woman who died last week after she drove around railroad crossing arms and was hit by an Amtrak passenger train on Jacksonville’s Westside told News4JAX that her life was an inspiration to all those around her.

Johnathan Streeter wrote that he noticed a burning smell at the restaurant around 4 p.m. Saturday, left the premises at 7 p.m., then got a call about 9:30 p.m. telling him the restaurant was on fire. He said the damage was so extensive “the restaurant is no longer fixable.”

Ascension St. Vincent’s Arlington Emergency Care held its annual back-to-school community giveaway Saturday morning, handing out backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, helmets and offering activities for children.

Two teenage boys died Saturday morning in a violent crash on Edgewood Avenue that left the Toyota Camry they were riding in crushed under a large pick-up truck that was hauling two vehicles, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The family of Billy “Bigga Rankin” Plummer has announced plans for a celebration of life for the DJ and promoter known as a godfather of Southern hip-hop.

A man wanted on an out-of-county attempted murder warrant died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office traffic stop late Friday night, JSO announced on Saturday.

Expect another steamy summer day across Jacksonville with a mix of sun and clouds this morning before the heat quickly builds through the afternoon. High temperatures will climb into the mid-90s, but when you factor in the humidity, it’ll feel more like 105 to 110 degrees at times, so be sure to stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. A few scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop after about 2 or 3 PM as the sea breeze moves inland. ot everyone will see rain, but any storm that develops could produce heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty winds before fading after sunset. We’ll turn warm and muggy tonight with lows around 80 degrees under partly cloudy skies.

Jacksonville law enforcement is offering a closer look at the dramatic rescue of a 13-year-old girl kidnapped from her Georgia home and brought more than 130 miles to a Jacksonville motel.

Yolanda Haynes was loving, feisty and full of laughter. On Thursday, she was stabbed to death outside a store on Kings Road — and her family is left asking why.

CareSpot Urgent Care, in partnership with Baptist Health, opened a new urgent care center on Jacksonville’s Westside, the companies announced Thursday.

The man seen in a viral video using racial slurs and making threats toward a Black woman in Jacksonville has been identified as 68-year-old Terry Akers.

Trust in U.S. elections has become a flashpoint in recent years, fueled in part by Pres. Donald Trump’s repeated claims of election fraud.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says detectives are now actively investigating a case involving a woman who says she was followed through a River City Marketplace HomeGoods by a man who was sexually gratifying himself while watching her.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said it transported two adults with critical injuries after an accident at the CSX ramp.

Film festival celebrates 10 years of laughing out loud and loving our locals

Local musician Alyse Dione performs her newest single "Strawberry Moon"

IRONMAN announced the date for the next Jacksonville event will be Sunday, May 16, 2027, with registration opening soon.

Can you guess which New Orleans-based chain, known for its alcoholic daiquiris, is returning to Jacksonville soon?

Mayor Donna Deegan is asking the Jacksonville City Council to approve $11 million for affordable housing and homelessness initiatives in the city’s proposed budget, marking a significant increase after affordable housing funding was largely scaled back during the past two budget cycles.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is responding to a homicide on Thursday in the College Gardens neighborhood.

The video, recorded Monday in the San Jose neighborhood, has been viewed more than one million times across social media platforms. It shows a woman — identified as Tynika Munn, who is Black — being verbally and physically harassed while sitting in her car after pulling into a driveway to pick up a friend.

A Jacksonville woman is behind bars after investigators say she traveled to a victim’s home and stabbed her following a live-stream confrontation on Bigo Live, an incident that left the victim requiring emergency surgery, according to police.

The State Attorney’s Office of the Fourth Judicial Circuit has charged a senior living facility employee with exploitation of an aged adult after a criminal referral from the Office of Inspector General, officials said Thursday.

Opportunity for women to create their own brand and products

Fun 4 First Coast Kids and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offering $1 Family Movie Night

A Jacksonville case that sparked national attention and tough conversations on social media about policing in Jacksonville will be back in the spotlight Thursday.

A 29-year-old man who has been charged in a triple shooting on Jacksonville’s Northside that killed his 4-year-old daughter and critically injured his 2-year-old daughter and the girls’ mother pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

Three roommates were hospitalized, and one died after an argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend erupted in gunfire on Jacksonville’s Westside early Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.