Thursday, Dec. 11: College Boost: + Leadership Shuffle + Theatre Transition
Thursday, Dec. 11
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Jacksonville approves $15 million for college facilities, workforce training.
After months of debate, Jacksonville City Council has approved $15 million in funding for higher education and workforce training programs. Florida State College at Jacksonville will receive $5 million to purchase a Westside charter school building and launch a skilled trades institute. The University of North Florida will get $6 million for renovations at Hodges Stadium to support NCAA events. Edward Waters University is in line for $2 million for a new conference center and dorms, pending further council approval. Additional funds will support union apprenticeships and nonprofit-led job training.
UNF, JU face simultaneous leadership changes amid growth pressures.
Northeast Florida’s two flagship universities — UNF and Jacksonville University — are heading into simultaneous leadership transitions for the first time in over a decade. Both will be without permanent presidents in 2026, creating uncertainty amid ambitious growth plans. UNF is awaiting Moez Limayem’s likely move to USF, while JU is preparing for Tim Cost’s shift to chancellor. Interim leaders are in place, but major fundraising and long-term strategic decisions may be delayed. Observers say the transitions are pivotal, with leadership expected to shape Jacksonville’s competitiveness for talent and investment.
Florida Theatre president resigns; programming chief steps in temporarily.
Numa Saisselin has resigned as president of the Florida Theatre after 13 years leading the historic downtown venue. In a statement, theatre officials said the resignation was mutual and effective immediately. Kevin Stone, the theatre’s longtime vice president of programming, has been named interim president. Saisselin oversaw major capital improvements during his tenure, including an $8 million restoration unveiled in 2023. The theatre says it will launch a national search for a permanent successor, with opportunities for public input. Operations will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
JaxPort COO and Baker County commissioner James Bennett killed.
The University of North Florida is expanding its artificial intelligence efforts with new initiatives led by President Limayem’s AI Council. Building on the success of the “AI for Work and Life” certificate, which has drawn over 38,000 enrollees, UNF plans to launch additional certifications tailored to business, construction, and engineering. The university is also developing AI workshops and digital badges for staff while using AI tools in marketing to maintain brand consistency. Reactions on campus are mixed, with some praising the innovation and others raising concerns about critical thinking and environmental impacts.
Jacksonville overdose deaths drop as sheriff’s investigative unit expands.
Drug overdose deaths in Jacksonville have declined by 33% since 2022, according to new data from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff T.K. Waters credits the drop to the creation of the Narcotics Overdose Death Investigations Unit, which has seized large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in 2025 alone. This year, police have arrested over 800 individuals on drug-related charges, including 17 for manslaughter. The trend mirrors a broader statewide decrease in opioid deaths, aided by expanded access to Narcan and state-supported interdiction programs.
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