The views expressed in the Opinion columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beach Gazette, its staff, board, donors, or advertisers. The Gazette reviews submissions for factual accuracy but does not endorse the opinions or conclusions expressed.
Duval County Public Schools, the district-run schools, are in competition with charter schools and voucher-funded private schools for funding and for students.
I am truly proud that Duval County Public Schools have continued their winning streak with a second consecutive year of an "A" grade. The late Harry Reagan (rest
For 14 seasons, I've watched something extraordinary happen in Jacksonville Beach.
What began as a simple vision to celebrate one of our community's most recognizable symbols,
Five issues. One month down, and many more to go. And every bit of it - every article, every section, every inbox we land in on a Thursday morning - exists because you decided it was worth supporting. I don't take that lightly, and I wrote this letter to let you know.
It seems Florida will eliminate property tax. This is an effort for Florida to become an even more tax-friendly state.
This will reduce local funding considerably. It would seem
They say that news is the first rough draft of history. A real community newspaper doesn’t just record history; it binds a community together. That is why my heart is swelling with pride at the debut of the Beach Gazette.
Last week, the Beach Gazette held its launch party, and I want to say something simple first: thank you.
Thank you to everyone who showed up. Thank you to all who decided the Beach Gazette was worth investing in before they'd read a single issue.
In its inaugural issue, the Beach Gazette pays homage to the history of local news at the Beaches as a launchpad for the next phase of local news. The letter from the editor on the front page of the first edition of The Beaches Leader in 1963, republished below, still resonates in 2026.
All good things must come to an end.
It's easy to swallow when it's layered over something basic like a vacation or a really tasty meal. Greeting the end of something bigger and more meaningful feels like a boat adrift without an oar.
For generations, community newspapers have
Growing up in Jacksonville Beach, the Beaches Leader was always part of my family’s life and probably yours. If you lived at the Beaches for any stretch of time, there’s a good chance you have a clipping from the Leader folded between the pages of a photo album.
Most residents probably assume that the Jacksonville Beach City Council approves the people who hold the most powerful positions in local government. In many cases, that assumption would be wrong.
