Local News

Palatka Blue Crab Festival 25th anniversary

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Chairwoman C.J. Morris tells us all the exciting this going on at the 25th annual Palatka Blue Crab Festival. 

Hurricane guide: preparing for the worst

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Christian Smith has been with the American Red Cross for 19 years, and tells us what you need to know in case you have to stay at a shelter.

Great grilling recipes for Memorial Day Weekend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Chef Bill Thompson from the Art Institute of Jacksonville shares some great recipes for grilling out. 

Woman facing charges after deadly crash

Tim Tebow speaks at The Providence School

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tim Tebow was in town Friday night, speaking at The Providence School.

Vacant foreclosure home frustrations

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A big blue tarp over a foreclosed home is one thing, but a an open door has an Arlington neighborhood frustrated.

First Coast News bids farewell to longtime employee

On Friday, First Coast News had to say goodbye to one of its own.

First Coast Cuba: Our connections and should we go?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The country of Cuba is only 90 miles from the Florida Keys but in many ways we are world's apart. Communism is still the law the land, trade sanctions still exist and diplomatic relations are strained.

Head Start classes could possibly resume

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Parents were angry when they learned Friday would be the last day for Head Start classes, three weeks earlier than scheduled to end. Now officials are working to find a way to resume those classes for three weeks.

Jacksonville animals face being euthanized

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The clock is ticking for animals at Animal Control and Protective Services in Jacksonville.

Parent: Son is 'trapped' by school bullying

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- David Thompson, 43, is a protective father concerned about the impact bullying has had on his 12 year old son.

Eighth student surprised with $1,000 Hero Next Door scholarship

Only three more students on the First Coast stand a chance at being surprised with a scholarship for college.

One dead, 2 arrested in Jacksonville

A home intruder was killed early Thursday morning after allegedly breaking into a home and getting shot by Donald Palmer, 23, who lives at the residence with his mother.

Tamoxifen: Are docs changing to 10 years?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We checked with local oncologists to see if they're making any changes in light of the study on Tamoxifen, which recommends a 10-year plan instead of the typical 5-year plan. 

Meth lab discovered in Brunswick

Brunswick Police Officers were called to a fight at a Player Street address in Brunswick on Thursday which led to the discovery of a meth lab.

Student of the Week: Cheryl Gonzalez

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  This Friday, FCN is recognizing Cheryl Gonzalez from Robert E. Lee High School as our Student of the Week.

Columbia County's crime rate is down

The total crime rate for Columbia decreased to 12.2% from the same reporting the previous year.

Green Cove Springs crash snarls traffic on SR 16

A crash Friday morning closed one eastbound lane of State Road 16 near the Shands Bridge in Green Cove Springs.

'I WATCH' anti-terrorism campaign

Sheriff's offices across the First Coast are joining forces to start a new anti-terrorism campaign called iWatch.

School board considers running Head Start

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Head Start in Duval County has gone through a lot of changes in recent weeks. Now, the Duval County School Board wants to look at possibly running it.

Jaguars' new look jerseys are hard to find

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A new coach and a new logo: It's been a busy off-season for the Jacksonville Jaguars and momentum is building now that Nike has unveiled the new uniforms. But the new look, introduced more than more weeks ago, is hard to find.

Budget shrinks due to charter school funds

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County School Board has begun the budget process for next school year.

TaxWatch targets First Coast 'turkeys'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Florida TaxWatch is calling on Gov. Rick Scott to veto $107 million dollars in spending in the budget, calling specific projects "turkeys."

Species, Part 2: Lionfish eat native fish

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- From coyotes to feral hogs to nutria, there are all kinds of non-native invasive species on the First Coast, but of the fiercest predators is one you don't see on land ... lionfish.