State

Two week old Ollie: this age requires the adequate care of being bottle fed every two hours if the mother is not present. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Shelters seek foster families for abundance of kittens

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

April marks the start of Kitten Season which is classified as the period of time in which an influx of kittens are born.

Laylah Saylor Leopold poses in her queen crown and sash which were awarded to her when she took first place in the Sunburst Pageant in Orange Park in Feb. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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Nassau's Sunburst

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

After being crowned Little Miss Orange Park in Feb, 8-year-old Laylah Saylor Leopold will be taking on the statewide Sunburst Pageant representing Nassau County in May.

Alligator notice sign at Egan's Creek Park in Fernandina Beach. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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April marks the start of alligator mating season in Florida which extends throughout the summer months. During this period the reptiles become more visible and active as temperatures begin to rise, according to information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Uca’s tail flukes shows white, which is scarring from being entangled in fishing gear. By Joel Cohen

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Whale hello there

Marisa DeMar

Thursday, February 12, 2026

When Julie Albert tells Florida residents to set the The Right Whale Hotline as a contact in their phone, she is often met with confused looks in response.

Photo courtesy of Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne Jr. celebrates on Sunday with teammates in the end zone.

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Week 3 redemption for Jaguars

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

The Jacksonville Jaguars bagged a 17-10 win against their long-standing AFC rivals, the Houston Texans on their home turf on Sunday. Tensions were high as the team took on the Texans who they had yet to beat in the previous few attempts.

UF Health employees (from left) Sarah Harrell, Libby Harrington, Lindsey Perrotta, Captain Hutchens, and Lieutenant Williams pose outside of the mobile stroke unit at the Council on Aging. Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Florida’s first 24-hour mobile stroke unit underway

Marisa DeMar

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

UF Health has created Florida’s first 24-hour mobile stroke unit. The vehicle is “a primary stroke center on wheels,” according to Lindsey Perrotta, the stroke program manager at UF Health, Jacksonville.

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Bean wants NASA headquarters in Florida

News Staff

Friday, July 11, 2025

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean is leading a bipartisan group of Florida Members of Congress to urge President Trump to move NASA’s headquarters from Washington to Florida’s Space Coast. NASA’s headquarters building in Washington, D.C., is set for demolition and currently has only 8% occupancy.

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Disaster Supplies tax free year-round

News Staff

Friday, July 11, 2025

Certain disaster preparedness items will be tax-free year-round thanks to a state exemption that takes effect on August 1. With the adoption of the 2025-2026 budget, the state legislature passed what the state Senate called “historic tax relief, relieving $1.

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Nassau schools No. 1 in Florida

News Staff

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

The Florida Department of Education released its 2024-25 school grades and performance results Monday, with the Nassau County School District ranked No. 1 among the state’s 67 public school districts. This is the first time Nassau County has ever achieved first place.

Workers restore power following Hurricane Helene in Madison County. News Service of Florida

Regulators approve FPL storm costs

News Staff

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Customers of Florida’s largest power company will see a bump of about $12 in monthly bills next year to cover restoration costs from the 2024 hurricane season. The state Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a $1.