Friday, Jan. 9: Playoff Boom + Medicaid Rewrite + Job Growth
Friday, Jan. 9
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Jaguars playoff weekend delivers big downtown business surge
Jacksonville’s economy is poised for a major boost this weekend as the Jaguars host their first home playoff game since 2023. That game brought $9.2 million in direct economic impact, and Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills could bring even more, thanks to strong fan turnout and national attention. Local businesses like Skyline Wings & Things and The Players Grille are preparing for a rush of customers, including traveling fans from Buffalo. For Eastside restaurateur Wanda Laurie, the team’s surprise playoff run has been a windfall—doubling foot traffic and turning her patio into a weekend tailgate hub.
Judge: Florida Medicaid termination notices must be rewritten by March
A federal judge in Jacksonville has ordered Florida to overhaul its system for notifying residents of Medicaid terminations, calling the current process “incomprehensible” and unconstitutional. Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard ruled that the state’s vague and confusing notices violate due process, especially impacting families, children, and pregnant women. The decision follows a class-action lawsuit after nearly 500,000 Floridians lost coverage. The state must issue new, clear notices by March 17 or reinstate affected individuals until proper notification is provided.
Jacksonville unemployment hits 5.1% as health jobs grow
Jacksonville’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in November, marking its highest point since January 2021, according to the Florida Department of Commerce. The increase follows a 4.3% rate in September, with October data unavailable due to a federal shutdown. Clay County reported the highest rate at 5.2%, while other metro counties matched the regional average. Despite the uptick, the area saw job growth, adding 10,500 positions over the year—primarily in private education and health services. However, sectors like administrative services and wholesale trade saw declines.
2026 hospitality wave: Block Jax, jazz lounge, beach hotel
Jacksonville and surrounding areas are poised for a hospitality surge in 2026, with new restaurants, entertainment venues, and boutique hotels on the way. Highlights include the $3.3 million Block Jax in Deerwood, an open-air concert and dining space; the upscale Breezy Jazz House relocating to downtown’s Elbow district; and the Dune House Hotel & Spa revamping Atlantic Beach’s former One Ocean Resort. This wave of development reflects growing investor confidence in the region’s food, nightlife, and tourism markets.
Economist warns race-based jail-site bans could trigger lawsuits
In this guest column, Raheem Williams, an economist who has worked for academic research centers and think tanks, argues that Jacksonville’s push to relocate the Duval County jail could be derailed if the city “pre-bans” potential sites based on race. Williams criticizes City Council member Jimmy Peluso’s effort to block consideration of historically Black neighborhoods, saying it’s legally risky and could invite costly discrimination lawsuits from other groups if race is made an explicit factor in site selection. Instead, Williams urges an “objective” process centered on cost, accessibility, and security—plus broad community input—warning that a racial “poison pill” could leave the jail exactly where it is now.
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