Monday, Dec. 22: Exploratory Bid + Airbnb-Party Shooting + Manufactured Housing
Monday, Dec. 22
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Nixon launches exploratory bid for U.S. Senate.
State Rep. Angie Nixon, a progressive Democrat from Jacksonville, says she’s strongly considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2026. Nixon made the announcement during a stop on her “Awake the State” listening tour, calling for leadership that prioritizes working families over corporate interests. Nixon, who isn’t seeking re-election to the Florida House, has launched a federal exploratory committee and is also weighing a future Jacksonville City Council run. The Senate seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Keith Moody, who was appointed after Marco Rubio’s nomination for secretary of state.
UF closes on LaVilla campus sites; developer due March 2026.
The University of Florida has officially closed on all six properties designated for its planned graduate campus in Downtown Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood. The campus will focus on high-tech graduate programs, including AI in medicine, and plans call for the eventual demolition of the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The final transaction, already approved by City Council, includes the former Interline Brands building at 801 West Bay Street, part of a property swap with Gateway Jax. UF has secured $245 million in funding from state and private sources. A developer will be selected by March 2026.
Jacksonville ranks third nationwide for manufactured housing.
Jacksonville ranks third in the nation for manufactured housing, with over 15,400 units making up 3.4% of the city’s housing stock, according to new data from StorageCafe. The study places Jacksonville behind only Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona, highlighting the city as a key market adapting manufactured homes to local economic conditions. Experts say these homes offer a blend of affordability and quality, especially on the urban fringe where land costs are lower. Industry leaders predict factory-built homes will soon rival traditional construction in precision and innovation.
Five wounded in Airbnb-party shooting.
This story should give any Airbnb property owner a moment of reflection. Five people, including a juvenile, were injured during a shooting at an Airbnb party early Thursday morning on Arlingwood Avenue, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The gunfire began around 3 a.m. following an argument at a gathering of about 20 people. Victims ranged in age from 16 to their early 20s, but none sustained life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred despite Airbnb’s five-year global ban on disruptive parties and ahead of its annual New Year’s Eve anti-party crackdown.
Deegan honors Raines champs; Jaguars gift coach Super Bowl trip.
Jacksonville honored the Raines High School Vikings this weekend following their perfect 14-0 football season and dramatic state championship win. During a school celebration, Mayor Donna Deegan awarded head coach Donovan Masline a Key to the City, praising Raines as “a pillar of excellence” and calling the title “proof that when you invest in young people, they rise.” The Jaguars gifted Masline Super Bowl tickets and a full trip to California. Quarterback Timothy Cole, who threw the game-winner, said, “This championship wasn’t just for Raines. It was for the community.”
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