{"id":81099,"date":"2024-12-22T21:48:39","date_gmt":"2024-12-22T21:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/2024\/12\/22\/photo-essay-jacksonville-2024-in-24-images-jacksonville-today\/"},"modified":"2024-12-22T21:58:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-22T21:58:02","slug":"photo-essay-jacksonville-2024-in-24-images-jacksonville-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/2024\/12\/22\/photo-essay-jacksonville-2024-in-24-images-jacksonville-today\/","title":{"rendered":"PHOTO ESSAY | Jacksonville 2024 in 24 images | Jacksonville Today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8864793242727901\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Here are 24 of my favorite images I had the honor of capturing this year for <em>Jacksonville Today<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>My hope is that my work focuses on our authentic shared humanity, as algorithms and AI increasingly divide us.<\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Debs Store LLC President Joe Debs (left) and Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue\u2019s Jacksonville market president, attend a groundbreaking for The Corner at Debs Store on Sept. 4, 2024. The nonprofit grocery store and community center opened in the heart of Jacksonville\u2019s Eastside on Florida Avenue, where the original Debs Store operated for 90 years before it closed in 2011. Debs and Jenkins played baseball together at Bishop Kenny High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I had the privilege to capture felons and presidents, Deltas and Omegas, victorious moments as well as somber occasions, American football and global football, and so much more.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"532c55\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #532c55;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-11-Edward-Waters-University-graduation-25-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nylander Grandville celebrates receiving his master\u2019s of business administration by showing the hooks that represent his fraternity Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Edward Waters University held its 154th commencement on May 11, 2024, at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony was moved Downtown to accommodate the growth of the university\u2019s graduating class. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"695954\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #695954;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098-1650x1100.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-24-DST-debut-098.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tsopie Trottie joins the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. at its new initiate presentation at the UNF Arena on March 24, 2024. Of the 106 women inducted into the organization, more than half have master\u2019s degrees and 30% have doctorate degrees. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The second week of March may have been one of the most consequential of the year.\u00a0 That week ended with former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn being convicted on federal charges for trying to profit from the sale of the public utility.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img color=\"a89695\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a89695;\" decoding=\"async\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-15-JEA-verdict-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84476 wpsmartcrop-image\" data-smartcrop-focus=\"[50,50]\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn walks out of the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse in Downtown Jacksonville after being convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud on March 15, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>That same week began with the Duval County School Board\u2019s listening to a presentation from an Alabama-based firm that suggested it close more than 30 schools.<\/p>\n<p>During an April workshop, nearly a dozen people addressed the school board with concerns about the potential closures. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"8e8579\" transparency=\"false\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84487\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8e8579; width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/April-16-DCPS-board-workshop-5-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Atlantic Beach resident Carolyn Zisser brought Diane Ravitch\u2019s book <em>Slaying Goliath<\/em> with her to address the Duval County School Board on April 16, 2024. Zisser was among the nearly dozen people who implored the board to keep Atlantic Beach Elementary open. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>It turned out that none of the schools those parents advocated for during the April 16 workshop \u2013 Atlantic Beach Elementary, Fishweir Elementary, West Riverside Elementary, Holiday Hill Elementary and John Stockton Elementary \u2013 will close at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.<\/p>\n<p>As parents and administrators debated the future of local schools, I was fortunate enough to train my lens on their students in several moments of triumph. The Duval County Public Schools Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge brought together bright young minds from across the county. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"4e3c5f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4e3c5f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit-1650x928.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/March-12-Duval-County-Public-Schools-Youth-Entrepreneurship-Summit.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jamie Ballard leaps for joy beside her partner Tereisha Chestnut after the pair won the DCPS Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on March 12, 2024, at EverBank Stadium. The sophomores at Mandarin High School pitched Voice Off Cafe, an eatery for deaf and hard-of-hearing people staffed by employees fluent in American Sign Language. The two pitched their idea at the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship regional conference in Miami.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In February, I was there when Mandarin\u2019s boys soccer team went unbeaten in its first 20 matches of the season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"444f3d\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #444f3d;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39-1650x1100.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Mandarin-boys-soccer-39.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mandarin eliminates Orlando Boone 2-1 in a FHSAA Class 7A regional quarterfinal on Feb. 13, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Later that month, I went to photograph a state quarterfinal basketball game between Jacksonville\u2019s Raines and Jackson high schools. A thousand people crammed into the old gymnasium on Main Street to watch the Tigers return to the state tournament following a 63-42 win.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"7b664d\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7b664d;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24-1650x1100.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Raines-at-Jackson-boys-basketball-24.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Albert Laguerre does a backflip at midcourt following his final varsity home basketball game as Andrew Jackson eliminated Raines 63-42 in the FHSAA Region 1-4A final on Feb. 23, 2024. Jackson advanced to the state tournament for the fifth time in the last six years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I barely made it to the basketball game in time because I had spent the afternoon listening to Iona King and Donal Godfrey share their tale of survival of a race-motivated bombing in Murray Hill. It was unbelievable to <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/02\/25\/survivors-of-klan-terror-in-murray-hill-share-their-story-with-jacksonville-leaders-60-years-later\/\">look at 66-year-old Donal<\/a> and imagine what he endured as a first-grader.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6b6050\" transparency=\"false\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84491\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6b6050; width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-1024x559.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-440x240.jpg 440w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-100x55.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1-1650x900.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Feb.-23-Iona-King-and-Donal-Godfrey-conversation-at-City-Hall-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iona Godfrey King shares a laugh with Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem on Feb. 23, 2024, at City Hall. King and her son, Donal Godfrey, were in Jacksonville to discuss a bombing in their Murray Hill neighborhood in February 1964 amid racial tensions over school integration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The same year as the bombin, Freedom Summer arrived in Northeast Florida in 1964. This June, St. Augustine commemorated its 60th anniversary with a series of events. With the sound of the Atlantic Ocean in the background, <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/06\/06\/waves-of-change-civil-rights-demonstrators-return-to-st-augustine\/\">Shed Dawson and Purcell Conway<\/a>, in town to be honored for their participation in the movement as teens, reflected that not everyone who participated in the Civil Rights Movement had the privilege of growing old. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"a5abb7\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a5abb7;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-5-St.-Augustine-wade-in-anniversary-2-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shed Dawson (left) and Purcell Conway describe stories from their childhood in June 2024. The St. Johns Cultural Council recognized Conway, 75, and Dawson, 77, for their participation in the St. Augustine Beach wade-ins in June 1964 aimed at integrating a whites-only beach. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Like the Rev. Martin Luther King, who famously <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/06\/16\/mlks-nephew-preaches-at-st-augustine-church-where-king-delivered-sermon-60-years-ago\/\">visited St. Augustine that summer<\/a> as well. It wasn\u2019t lost on me that I was the same age as King when I photographed <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/01\/12\/tomorrows-leaders-highlight-reunited-mlk-breakfast\/\">this year\u2019s 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast<\/a>, marking the first time in five years that Jacksonville united to celebrate the slain civil rights icon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"31507d\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #31507d;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jan.-12-MLK-Breakfast-2-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emerly Reed is named the winner of the Tomorrow\u2019s Leaders Middle School essay contest, as Kemal Gasper, vice president of community engagement for VyStar Credit Union, presents the trophy during Jacksonville\u2019s 37th annual Martin Luther King breakfast at the Prime Osborn Convention Center on Jan. 12, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the same day in January that the Jacksonville NAACP and Jacksonville Urban League honored King alongside other organizations in the city, the Dollar General in Grand Park reopened after more than four months. The store was where a white supremacist killed three Black people last summer. <\/p>\n<p>I will never forget the <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/08\/25\/soil-collection-ceremony-marks-1-year-anniversary-of-dollar-general-shooting\/\">names and legacies of Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion and A.J. Laguerre Jr<\/a>. <\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"70777b\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #70777b;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-25-soil-collection-ceremony-12-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Je\u2019Asia Gallion and her grandmother Carrol Gibbs place soil in a jar to remember Je\u2019Asia\u2019s father Jerrald Gallion on Aug. 25, 2024. Gallion, 29, was killed on Aug. 26, 2023, in the race-motivated mass shooting at a Jacksonville Dollar General.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In August, Jacksonville remembered Carr, Gallion and Laguerre with a soil collection ceremony at a park a few hundred yards away from the Dollar General where they died. On Aug. 26, <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/08\/26\/new-lawsuits-and-a-scholarship-families-reflect-one-year-after-dollar-general-shooting\/\">the one-year anniversary of their death<\/a>, I captured then-Chief of Staff Darnell Smith holding the posthumous degree that Florida State College at Jacksonville awarded to Laguerre.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"3c343a\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3c343a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Aug.-26-AJ-Laguerre-scholarship-announcement-2-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jacksonville Chief of Staff Darnell Smith holds the posthumous degree awarded to A.J. Laguerre Jr. on the one-year anniversary of his death. Laguerre, 19, was shot and killed by a white supremacist on Aug. 26, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The year took me from solemn remembrances to moments of joy for Jacksonville\u2019s only major league professional sports team, like when Jacksonville native Mac Jones lived almost every boy\u2019s dream and scored a touchdown for the home team in November.<\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"817568\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #817568;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-10-Vikings-at-Jaguars-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jaguars quarterback and Bolles School graduate Mac Jones celebrates a 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of a contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year has been another forgettable season for the Jaguars, but it was also the year the club committed to Jacksonville for at least the next 35 years.<\/p>\n<p>Days after the Jacksonville City Council approved a $1.4 billion renovation package for the stadium,  team owner Shad Khan and Mayor Donna Deegan were all smiles. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"9caea3\" transparency=\"false\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84473\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9caea3; width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-26-Jaguars-and-Mayor-Deegan-press-conference-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jaguars owner Shad Khan hugs Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan following a press conference on June 26, 2024. | Will Brown, <em>Jacksonville Today<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>One person whose team won a lot this year was Dean Black. The immediate past chairman of the Duval GOP spent election night partying as the local, state and federal results rolled in. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"624954\" transparency=\"false\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84482\" style=\"--dominant-color: #624954; width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-18-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Duval County GOP Chairman Dean Blac smiles amid overwhelming Republican victories at the local, state and federal levels on Nov. 5, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>During an election season with at times violent partisanship \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/10\/30\/machete-threat-voters\/\">some in Northeast Florida<\/a> \u2013 former President Donald Trump was victorious once again. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"634448\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #634448;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-1639x2048.jpg 1639w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-192x240.jpg 192w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-1650x2062.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/July-31-Donald-Trump-at-NABJ-1-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former President Donald Trump appears for a <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-black-journalists-convention-nabj-1e96aa530e88013ed6f577feaf89ccb6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">controversial interview<\/a> at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago on July 31, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Trump\u2019s historic success \u2013 he became the first person in 132 years to lose their perch in the Oval Office and regain the presidency \u2013 was the end of the dream for Vice President Kamala Harris, who had hoped to be the first female president. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"644846\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #644846;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-1-Kamala-Harris-visit-9-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vice President Kamala Harris takes a selfie with St. Augustine\u2019s Stephanie Henry Johnson on May 1, 2024, in Jacksonville. Both are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>When Harris visited Jacksonville in May to decry the state\u2019s six-week abortion ban, few could have envisioned her at the top of the 2024 Democratic ticket. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"afb2b0\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #afb2b0;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Nov.-5-General-Election-Day-05-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Terry is a Jacksonville Beach resident who spent her 70th birthday holding a sign in support of Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, 2024. Terry declined to provide her last name, citing safety concerns. She says she was accosted by a Trump supporter on Election Day outside the Beaches Library in Neptune Beach. Police declined to press charges. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The final weeks of the national presidential campaign featured conversations about immigration and the role of unions, two issues at play in Jacksonville. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"854e51\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #854e51;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-3-Unidos-Jax-dinner-03-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anna Jones, one of three winners of the Duval County Public Schools Hispanic Heritage Essay contest, at the inaugural Unidos Jax celebration at Deerwood Castle on Oct. 3, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Wolfson High School senior Anna Jones, one of three winners of the DCPS Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, began her essay with a line from <em>Hamilton<\/em>. \u201cImmigrants, we get the job done!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Later, in her essay, Jones wrote that Jacksonville attorney Paula Parra Harris has illuminated the possibilities for her life.<\/p>\n<p>Just as the Unidos Jax celebration kicked off on Oct. 3, the International Longshoreman\u2019s Association reached a temporary agreement with the U.S. Maritime Alliance. The union, including its <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/10\/01\/longshoremen-jacksonville\/\">more than 1,800 local members<\/a>, ending their first strike in nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"90867f\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #90867f;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Oct.-1-ILA-Local-1408-demonstration-4-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Warren Smith, president of the ILA Local 1408, demonstrates along Heckscher Drive in the shadows of the Blount Island Marine Terminal on Oct. 1, 2024, the first day of the ILA\u2019s first work stoppage since 1977. | Will Brown, <em>Jacksonville Today<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Local longshoremen were not the only group who fought for what they thought they deserved this year.<\/p>\n<p>In June, a handful of girls and young women pleaded with Circuit Judge Tatiana Salvador to punish former Douglas Anderson teacher Jeffrey Clayton, following his guilty plea on charges of kissing and touching a student.<\/p>\n<p>Salvador <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/06\/14\/former-douglas-anderson-teacher-sentenced-to-10-years\/\">sentenced 67-year-old Clayton to 10 years in prison<\/a> and three years of probation. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"42382e\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #42382e;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-427x240.jpg 427w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/June-14-Jeffrey-Clayton-sentencing-1650x928.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A bailiff handcuffs former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher Jeffrey Clayton. Judge Tatiana Salvador sentenced Clayton to 10 years in prison on June 14, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I wasn\u2019t only there to capture the worst in our local educators. <\/p>\n<p>Donovan Masline embodies some of the best.<\/p>\n<p>The Raines football coach, who also doubles as the school\u2019s dean of students, led the Vikings to a 13-1 season, <a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/12\/12\/raines-high-at-60-a-season-of-success-on-the-football-field-and-off\/\">the first time in 27 years that Raines won its first 13 games<\/a>. Raines didn\u2019t win its state championship, but few from these parts ever have.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"6c614a\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6c614a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Dec.-6-Ichiban-celebration-3-1-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Raines High School head Coach Donovan Masline walks off Earl Kitchens Field victorious after leading the Vikings to the FHSAA state final for the sixth time in program history. The Vikings fell to Miami Northwestern in the FHSAA Class 3A final. | Will Brown, <em>Jacksonville Today<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Speaking of locals who are used to winning, Fernandina Beach\u2019s Poe Pinson qualified this year for the Paris Olympics. She <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&#038;v=Ik1t9AXz2K8&#038;t=72s\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">finished fifth in the street skateboarding competition<\/a> and was the highest-ranked American.<\/p>\n<p>In August, her hometown threw a parade in her honor and renamed a skate park after the 19-year-old local legend.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{\"uploadedsrc\":\"https:><img loading=\"lazy\" color=\"715648\" transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #715648;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" click=\"actions.showLightbox\" load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-84480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/May-22-Poe-Pinson-portrait-1-1650x1100.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Seen here before traveling to the Paris Olympics, Poe Pinson is a 19-year-old from Fernandina Beach who started skating when she was 4. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I look forward to continuing the privilege of photographing Jacksonville\u2019s people, places and moments in 2025. -Will Brown<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/jaxtoday.org\/2024\/12\/22\/photo-essay-jacksonville-2024-in-24-images\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are 24 of my favorite images I had the honor of capturing this year for Jacksonville Today. My hope is that my work focuses on our authentic shared humanity,&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":81100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81099"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81101,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81099\/revisions\/81101"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvbrazilusa.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}