Tuesday, Nov. 18: Children Recovered + Teacher Impasse + UNF Plan
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Teacher Impasse: Clay educators, district face off over stalled raises.
Clay County teachers and district leaders will meet with the School Board tomorrow to address a pay dispute after strong public backlash over proposed raises that offer up to $800 for veteran teachers and none for those with under nine years of experience. Superintendent David Broskie cited declining enrollment and funding limits. The public hearing begins at 2 p.m. at Fleming Island High.
Children Recovered: Operation finds 131 missing kids; charges filed.
Florida’s Attorney General announced that Operation Home for the Holidays recovered 131 missing children—122 in Florida and nine elsewhere—during a two-week search led with federal and state partners. Several victims had experienced abuse or exploitation, and six suspects now face felony charges, with more possible. Officials say coordinated tips and advocacy support accelerated recoveries.
Road Revamp: King Soutel district funds major New Kings Road overhaul
Jacksonville’s King Soutel Crossing district is launching a major $12 million improvement of a 2.2-mile stretch of New Kings Road, adding landscaped medians, new sidewalks, crosswalks, and potentially decorative lighting. The phased project aims to attract restaurants and retail as rising property values boost the redevelopment budget.
UNF Plan: Trustees approve 10-year campus expansion blueprint
The University of North Florida has approved a new 10-year master plan to guide campus growth to nearly 26,000 students by 2035. Key projects include an Innovation District, new residence halls, Greek housing, expanded athletic facilities with long-term football ambitions, and upgraded pedestrian and traffic systems. The plan has received full regulatory approval.
Campus Extremism: UNF decries anonymous “Osprey Nationalist” rhetoric.
A new group calling itself “The Osprey Nationalist” has surfaced at UNF, drawing criticism for white nationalist rhetoric shared through anonymous online letters. The group is not officially recognized, and students and faculty have condemned its views as harmful. A UNF professor linked the climate enabling such groups to recent state cuts to diversity programs. The group denies being white supremacist despite using similar themes.
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