It’s Florida-Georgia week; you know what that means.
Downtown Jacksonville will be packed with football fans as the city prepares for the spectacle.
Stadium parking lots open at 8 a.m. Saturday … but make sure you’ve arranged for it in advance if you plan an extended tailgate sesh.
“All parking is pre-sold, and fans should ensure their parking hangtags are displayed as they approach the stadium,” the city notes.
Downtown Jacksonville is ready for the annual Florida-Georgia football clash at EverBank Stadium. Image via Downtown Vision, Inc.
GEICO is running shuttles from more remote lots, such as Lot S, Lot X, Lot Z and Met Park, for those who may not want to walk for one reason or another.
And yes, kickoff is at 3:30, but you are advised to enter the stadium as early as 1:30 to avoid what the city calls “last-minute gate pressure, which frequently occurs before kickoff.”
Express shuttles are running if you want to park remotely as well. If that option interests you, there are lots around town.
Security is always a priority, of course.
“There will be magnetometers in place, enabling fans to walk through carrying their clear bag and leave their cellphone and keys in their pockets. After entering, fans will then proceed to the self-scan ticket kiosks to have their mobile tickets scanned.”
Georgia is favored by roughly a touchdown, but anything can happen in Jacksonville. Enjoy the game if you’re going; it’s like no other experience in college sports.
Bear market
Not into football?
The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, in conjunction with Nemours Health, has an option for you.
The Teddy Bear Affair returns Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zoo’s Range of the Jaguar exhibit. It allows kiddos to bring their stuffed animals for “medical care,” including patch jobs and casts.
Children bring stuffed animals for ‘medical checkups’ during the Teddy Bear Affair at Jacksonville Zoo. Image via Facebook.
“We’re proud to partner with Nemours Children’s Health to offer an event that brings education, wellness and fun together, all while families enjoy the Zoo and connect with nature,” said Nikki Smith, the Zoo’s Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer.
While the future of the Affordable Care Act and associated subsidies may be in doubt for humans, at least their stuffed friends have access to medical help.
Tweet, tweet
Video vibrations
Those frustrated by the Jacksonville City Council’s streaming options now have new ways to access telecasts.
It’s called Jax+, and it will allow viewers to access livestreams of Committee and Council meetings on the official city of Jacksonville YouTube channel, Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.
The City Council hopes this makes people feel more connected to local government.
Newly launched Jax+ expands City Council meeting access via YouTube, Roku and Apple TV.
“Transparency and access to government are the foundation of a healthy democracy,” said Teresa Eichner, Public Information Officer for the City of Jacksonville City Council.
“By livestreaming Council meetings, we’re breaking down barriers to participation and inviting our community to take an active role in the legislative process. This is about ensuring every resident can stay informed, engaged and empowered.”
The City Council website will continue offering streaming and archived video as well.
“We are committed to making our government more accessible and transparent,” said City Council President Kevin Carrico.
“By livestreaming our meetings, we encourage residents to stay informed and engaged with the decisions that shape our community.”
Bowling night
Gone but not forgotten. That’s the attitude of Jacksonville’s City Council, as members honored former Chief Administrative Officer Karen Bowling.
Bowling’s departure from the Donna Deegan administration was announced earlier this month, and the mystery of why she left still shrouds the matter.
City Council members commend Karen Bowling for civic leadership after her departure from city administration.
However, the City Council unanimously voted for and sponsored a resolution to “commend and honor (Bowling’s) steadfast commitment to this community, demonstrating vision, service, leadership and innovation across sectors,” with members of both parties offering testimonials.
“Karen Bowling was our chief administrative officer, did an incredible job, and all of a sudden was gone,” remarked Republican Rory Diamond, a frequent critic of the Democratic Mayor.
“Karen Bowling is a history maker. She was the first woman to do this job in the history of the city of Jacksonville,” added Democrat Rahman Johnson.
“I got a chance to know Karen as a colleague in media, who, as a reporter, when she started her career in this city and continued to change the game and everything she does. So, I was honored to do this. I think it’s important when young people, like the ones we see as pages today, can see people like Karen Bowling rise to the highest heights of our city. It shows that anything, in any way, is possible.”
Bowling moved from television media to become the former CEO of Solantic Urgent Care, a company she co-founded with current U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in 2001. She had numerous other governmental roles before joining the Deegan administration, including serving as former Mayor Alvin Brown’s CAO.
Plan B
Jacksonville International Airport is well on its way to having a new concourse by next Christmas.
“When terminals A and C were opened, they contemplated building Concourse B. But the economy wasn’t the greatest at the time. They decided to put it off,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority President Mark Van Low explained, per Action News Jax. “So right after 2008, they started thinking about this. And again, when I came seven years ago, it was on the drawing books, but we really didn’t have the muscle to go forward. We decided with the Board’s approval to 1761764648 make it happen.”
Mark Van Low discusses Jacksonville International Airport’s new Concourse B project scheduled for completion next Christmas.
Six new gates and new restaurants are on the way … and perhaps international flights as well.
“American Airlines is taking all these new gates. Currently, American Airlines doesn’t need all these gates. So, if you put two and two together, we think that’s big news for American, which is our No. 1 carrier now in Jacksonville,” Van Low said. “I would love to see the Caribbean and Mexico immediately.”
Tweet, tweet
DJ culture
Jacksonville’s WJCT is celebrating Public Radio Music Day with an all-star lineup this evening.
“The Neighborhood” with Mr. Al Pete kicks things off at 9 p.m.
The hip-hop moves to bop at 10 … as Daniel Stark’s “Bop City” begins.
David Luckin hosts WJCT’s Public Radio Music Day lineup, celebrating Jacksonville’s diverse local music scene. Image via WJCT.
WJCT Musical Director David Luckin holds down the 11 p.m. spot with “Electro Lounge.”
And as the clock strikes 12, “Blues Horizon” with Andrew Wiechman starts up.
“Public Radio Music Day is about celebrating how public radio helps people discover new sounds and connect with the artists who define their local community,” said Luckin. “Our mission has always been to introduce listeners to something fresh, something inspiring, and something made right here in Jacksonville. That’s what makes WJCT News 89.9 a home for music lovers.”
Magic bus business
An autonomous vehicle company has signed a development agreement to build a production facility in Jacksonville, which could create up to 800 jobs on the First Coast.
Holon signed a term sheet with the city this week, signaling they’ll begin construction of the factory located at the Eastport Industrial Park. The facility will cover about 580,000 square feet and will be undertaken with InLight Real Estate Partners, which owns the property. Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for April.
Clemens Rengier announces Holon’s plan for an autonomous-vehicle manufacturing facility at Eastport Industrial Park.
“With this partnership, we are not only creating the basis for technological innovation, but also for sustainable growth in Jacksonville,” said Clemens Rengier, Holon’s chief financial officer. “I would like to mention once again the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), which supported our vision from the beginning. Now, Jacksonville is becoming the center for autonomous mobility in the USA.”
Holon is based in Germany and develops electric-powered autonomous vehicles. The Jacksonville site will specifically build the Holon model Urban, which is a self-driving shuttle. Company officials also announced they’ll locate their U.S. headquarters in Jacksonville.
The construction of the new production facility is estimated to cost $100 million, and it should be completed in late 2027. The construction agreement was signed at a JTA Board meeting.
Tweet, tweet
Coastal capture
An organization has donated four acres of environmentally sensitive land near the coastline to the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) near the Matanzas Inlet in southern St. Johns County.
St. Johns Wildlife Care Inc. offered the land to the NFLT for conservation. The land itself is in a tidal area and is actually a salt marsh. The property is in the Matanzas Inlet Beach subdivision, just to the west of the Summer Haven subdivision on the coast.
Allison DeFoor celebrates a four-acre conservation donation near Matanzas Inlet protecting North Florida salt marshes.
The stretch of property is in the middle of heavy vegetation. Black mangrove, southern red cedar, oak, Indian blanket flower, sabal palm and other plants envelop the property. NFLT officials said in a press release that keeping the property in its natural state will help foster habitat for wildlife that can thrive in those conditions.
“This land is in an area that is very attractive to developers, but thankfully, the property owners realized the value in keeping this land in its natural state,” said Allison DeFoor, President and CEO of NFLT. “We appreciate that they reached out to us to take ownership and preserve this land because it is now or never. This is a real win for community conservation.”
NFLT officials say the coastal property aligns with the organization’s Salt Marsh and Climate Resilience Priority Preservation Area. That program focuses on protecting salt marshes and other coastal habitats that foster environmental benefits to the community.
In addition to the natural habitat and community benefits, NFLT officials said protecting such coastal stretches assists with climate resilience.
Florida Blue backing
A survey of more than 3,000 workers concluded with high praise for Jacksonville-based Florida Blue and its advancement opportunities.
Careerminds, a global career development and job services firm, surveyed professionals in the state to find out which workplaces are most favored. Florida Blue, with headquarters on the First Coast, finished as the third most favored company in Florida for career growth.
Florida Blue ranks third statewide for career growth in Careerminds’ survey of Florida professionals.
“Florida Blue stands out in the survey as the state’s leading health insurer, serving millions of members across Florida. Employees value the company’s investment in training programs that support mobility across customer service, technology and health care administration,” Careerminds analysts concluded. “Florida Blue remains a workplace where professional growth is built into a mission of improving community health.”
Other Florida companies that stood out in the survey included Royal Caribbean Group in Miami, finishing first, and
St. Johns safe way
St. Johns County Commissioners celebrated a long-planned roadway unveiled this week.
The County Commission was part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a large stretch of County Road 2209. The event took place on Tuesday morning.
Commissioners cut the ribbon on County Road 2209, easing traffic congestion in northern St. Johns.
The section of the roadway runs from International Golf Parkway to a connection with Silverleaf Parkway. It’s a new four-lane divided corridor designed to ease traffic flow in northern St. Johns County.
It’s one of the busiest areas of St. Johns County, which is one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties. The northern areas are where new housing developments are being built regularly, and many residents there commute to Jacksonville to the north for work.
Firefightin’ finery
Osvaldo “Ozzy” Sene, a paramedic with the Palm Coast Fire Department, was named “Firefighter of the Year” by the Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club this month.
Sene only joined the fire department two years ago, but Kiwanis officials note he’s become a standout member of the service in just a short time. He’s not only dedicated, Kiwanis members said, but he also mentors many of his fellow firefighters and paramedics.
Osvaldo Sene receives Firefighter of the Year honors from the Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club. Image via Facebook.
“Ozzy exemplifies what it means to be a Palm Coast firefighter — committed, compassionate, and community-minded,” said Palm Coast Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill. “His leadership in mentoring young people and his willingness to go above and beyond for his fellow firefighters truly embody the spirit of service that defines our department.”
Sene has also been instrumental in developing the department’s Junior Firefighter Program. That organization offers experience to local youth interested in firefighting. It was Sene who supervised many of those youth activities and they participated for the first time in the Florida Cadet Games, in which the Palm Coast youth won trophies in two different competitions.
Jaguars’ season in the balance
After a timely bye week, the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders in a game that the Jaguars must win (4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX).
While a loss only drops the Jaguars to 4-4 for the season, the direction of the first campaign under head coach Liam Coen hangs in the balance. The Jaguars have not been a strong team when playing in the Western half of the United States; however, they beat the San Francisco 49ers for their only road win so far this season.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence prepares for a pivotal road matchup as Jacksonville faces the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders (2-5) are struggling. Las Vegas’ only win in the last six tries came against lowly Tennessee in a 20-10 game led by the Raiders’ defense. Only the Titans have scored fewer points per game than the Raiders (14.7), and only the Titans and the Cleveland Browns average fewer yards per game than the Las Vegas offense.
In short, the Jaguars should beat the Raiders.
More than that, the game offers the Jaguars a chance to regain what they built in the first five weeks of the season, when they earned the best record in the NFL at 4-1.
Since then, the offense has struggled. The Jaguars have scored only 19 points in the last two games as the passing game has stumbled — too many drops. Too much pressure on the quarterback and not enough consistency from Trevor Lawrence have the Jaguars trying to find an identity.
When the season began, the consensus was that the Jaguars would be a passing-oriented team, leaning on wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie Travis Hunter to lead the way. Instead, Thomas has regressed after a strong rookie season, and Hunter is just now starting to be a primary receiver.
During the bye week, reports surfaced that the Jaguars were considering offers for Thomas. On Monday, Coen shot down those rumors.
“We have no plans to move Brian Thomas,” Coen said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”
Still, the Jaguars need him to be more of a factor in the passing game. His five drops are tied for the league lead and his apparent unwillingness to play through contact is a major red flag.
If Thomas is going to turn things around, this week — following the bye — would be an excellent time for him to do so.
The Jaguars’ defense also must show improvement. Jacksonville is last in the NFL with only eight sacks. Arik Armstead has 3.5 sacks; Travon Walker has a pair. No other Jaguar has more than a single sack, and Josh Hines-Allen has totaled only half a sack this season. With Walker dealing with an injured hand, teams have focused on protection plans to neutralize Hines-Allen.
So, what is the team’s identity? It must rely on the running game. After a hot start to the season, Travis Etienne has failed to gain 50 yards on the ground in each of the last three games. Some of that is on Etienne. Some of the blame lies with the limited number of carries the Jaguars are giving Etienne. Since his 124-yard game against San Francisco on Sept. 28, Etienne has not had more than a dozen carries in any game.
It’s time to lean on him more.
If the Jaguars can deliver against the Raiders, they will carry momentum into a road game against the Houston Texans. A loss in Las Vegas, and the Jaguars might well leave the season in the desert.