An officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood is under investigation after a confrontation between police and an armed suspect Sunday night. Also, flu cases are running high across Florida and Georgia. Doctors share advice on symptoms, when to stay home, and who should seek medical care.

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Jacksonville Today associate editor Mike Mendenhall talks with reporter Will Brown about how he sprinted from a quiet weekend into breaking news mode after President Donald Trump’s administration announced a raid in Venezuela that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power. Will explains how he quickly tapped into existing relationships with Venezuelan residents, immigrant‑rights organizers, and local officials to capture a wide spectrum of reactions—from “free Maduro” signs to Venezuelan expatriates celebrating the fall of a dictator. Hear how he thinks through which voices to seek out, how to handle complex geopolitics for a local audience, and why nuance matters when a world event lands in Jacksonville. Read Will’s full coverage at jaxtoday.org.

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Jacksonville is preparing for an influx of fans as the Jaguars host the Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs. We hear from restaurant owners and sports bar operators bracing for a busy weekend. Plus, the CEO of Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History resigns.

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The Duval County School Board narrowly votes to add Florida’s controversial Schools of Hope charter school law to its legislative priorities, giving the district's lobbyists a mandate to seek changes to the controversial law. Plus, Governor Ron DeSantis calls for a special session as he pushes to redraw Florida’s congressional map, raising concerns about political advantage ahead of future elections.

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On This Week in Health, Letisha Bereola and Dr. Joe Sirven unpack three big stories shaping 2026: falling vaccine rates, a major autism study, and a controversial plan to cut childhood shots.​

• Tetanus Vaccination Drops as Cases Quietly Rise
  Doctors are warning that declining tetanus vaccination rates have pushed U.S. cases to their highest level in more than a decade, especially worrying in disaster‑prone states like Florida and Texas where injuries expose people to soil‑borne bacteria. Dr. Joe explains that tetanus isn’t spread person‑to‑person; it enters through puncture wounds and produces a toxin that “cuts the body’s brake lines,” causing unrelenting muscle contractions, lockjaw, and potentially life‑threatening breathing problems—yet it remains entirely preventable with once‑a‑decade boosters and prompt shots after risky cuts.​
• Autism May Be Four Distinct Conditions, Not One Spectrum
  New research from Princeton and the Flatiron Institute identifies four genetic and behavioral “phenotypes” of autism, suggesting it is a cluster of distinct biological subtypes rather than a single, continuous spectrum. Dr. Joe calls this a major step toward moving beyond a one‑size‑fits‑all label that often fails to serve families who need specific, nuanced help.​
• U.S. Weighs Adopting Denmark’s Slimmer Childhood Vaccine Schedule
  Dr. Joe notes that Denmark is a small, relatively homogeneous nation of about six million people with cradle‑to‑grave universal healthcare, robust screening, and consistent access—conditions that allow it to safely rely on fewer vaccines. By contrast, in the U.S., vaccines function as a critical safety net for uninsured and underserved communities; cutting them without building Denmark‑style universal care risks more preventable illness, disability, and death, especially among children who already have the least access.​

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The historic Armory in downtown Jacksonville moves closer to a sale after a City Council committee votes to raise the proposed price, with a final decision expected soon. Also, Fernandina Beach commissioners give final approval to a controversial paid parking plan.

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Jacksonville police are investigating two officer-involved shootings that happened within hours of each other late Monday night, leaving one man dead and another injured. We break down what authorities say happened in both incidents. Also, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces plans to expand the state’s immigration detention network, as a recently opened Northeast Florida facility reports housing thousands of detainees since August.

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St. Augustine’s beloved holiday light show was designed to shine a festive spotlight on the city—but for many residents, the event brought more frustration than joy, from traffic standstills to unruly visitor behavior. With new rules and logistics in place, are things improving? Host Anne Schindler speaks with local reporters Noah Hertz and Jessica Clark about how the season is going, what the city has changed, and how the community is balancing celebration with preservation amid the ongoing tourist boom.

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Jacksonville residents react to a major international development after the U.S. military removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Also, the Jacksonville Jaguars clinch the AFC South title in dominant fashion, earning a home playoff game after a lopsided win over the Tennessee Titans.

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An investigation into records kept on people legally carrying firearms into Jacksonville City Hall and the Yates Building concludes with no criminal intent and no charges, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Also, a Clay County School Board member faces mounting criticism and state-level scrutiny following controversial remarks about the Black community, as calls for accountability continue.

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