Tuesday, Dec. 30: Death-row Scrutiny + Healthcare Growth + Bank Bets
Tuesday, Dec. 30
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Death-row case faces new scrutiny over judge’s racism claims.
A decades-old Jacksonville death penalty case is under renewed scrutiny amid allegations of racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct. Kenneth Hartley, convicted in 1993 for the murder of teenager Gino Mayhew, faces an upcoming evidentiary hearing that could overturn his conviction or death sentence. The case was tried by Judge R. Hudson Olliff, whose legacy includes claims he made racist comments and routinely overrode jury recommendations. Investigative reporting by The Tributary revealed reliance on jailhouse informants with histories of perjury and little physical evidence. A hearing date has not yet been set.
Brooks Rehabilitation $68M expansion adds 150 jobs.
Brooks Rehabilitation has announced a $68 million expansion across three Jacksonville-area facilities, a move that will create 150 new jobs by 2028. The largest project is a $47 million addition to its Bartram Park campus, which will increase bed capacity by 80% and include an Innovation Studio funded by a former patient. The other expansions include a $5.4 million pediatric clinic in Orange Park and a $16 million doubling of Helen’s House, a temporary lodging facility for patient families. These investments follow state deregulation of hospital development.
Bank executives bet on Jacksonville’s AI, logistics boom.
Financial executives in Jacksonville are preparing for a year of strategic growth in 2026, driven by AI infrastructure and supply chain resilience. Fifth Third Bank’s regional president Scott Daigle said, “There’ll be some sort of settling in,” after 2025’s record pace, but logistics and port infrastructure will keep attracting capital. J.P. Morgan’s Matthew Marcin added, “There’s a lot of optimism about Jacksonville’s potential as a hub for data centers and AI technology.” Sectors like real estate, healthcare, and logistics are expected to lead.
Disco Witch Brewing reopens under new ownership.
Disco Witch Brewing in Yulee will remain open under new ownership, just two months after announcing its closure. Founder Shelly Denis is handing the reins to Kym Yanchar, a former nurse’s assistant from Texas who discovered the brewery during a recent visit. The official transition takes place January 2, with a public celebration planned for January 23. Yanchar says she’ll maintain the brewery’s popular beers and atmosphere, while adding events like football watch parties. Denis will stay on as an adviser.
You can read more about this in the Jacksonville Business Journal. *
Florida senator files bill to standardize “better” straws.
A Northeast Florida lawmaker is drawing a line in the sand—make that, the compost—over what Floridians sip their sodas through. Fleming Island Senator Jennifer Bradley has filed SB 958, a bill that targets the alleged menace of… paper straws. Citing “harmful impacts,” the measure aims to set statewide standards for straw and stirrer materials, favoring options like marine biodegradable and home-compostable products. It also warns of PFAS chemicals found in many paper straws, quoting university studies. The goal? To prevent a “patchwork” of local straw laws. The legislative session kicks off January 13.
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