Bold City Morning: Concrete Progress and the Run to Finish Breast Cancer

Good Morning, Jacksonville

It is Thursday, January 29, 2026, and the landscape of the Bold City is shifting before our eyes. Whether you are navigating the construction detours downtown or preparing for a weekend of community spirit, there is a palpable sense of momentum in Duval County this morning.

The Mood: A City Under Construction

The current mood in Jacksonville is one of determined evolution. We are firmly in the "building phase" of several decade-defining projects. From the ongoing off-season transformation of EverBank Stadium into the "Stadium of the Future" to the dirt moving along the Emerald Trail’s Hogan Street Link, Jacksonville feels like a city mid-renovation. While the orange cones and reduced stadium capacity for the upcoming season are a reminder of the temporary inconveniences, there is an underlying excitement about the state-of-the-art skyline that is beginning to take shape.

Key Talking Point: Tallahassee Convenes and Stadium Milestones

Today’s major talking point centers on the Florida Legislative Session. The State Senate is scheduled to convene this morning at 9:00 a.m., with Jacksonville’s own Senator Tracie Davis playing a pivotal role. Senator Davis has recently co-filed the Reproductive Freedom Act, a significant piece of legislation that is expected to be a major focus of debate in the coming weeks. Local political observers are also keeping a close eye on Governor-level updates regarding a probe into Jacksonville’s gun registry policies, a story that continues to develop.

Closer to home, construction updates on the stadium remain front-page news. Following the recent completion of the first of four grand staircases earlier this month, crews are moving into the next phase of the $1.4 billion renovation. With the Jaguars' upcoming season set to feature a reduced capacity of roughly 43,500 fans, the community is currently debating the impact on ticket demand and the local economy as the upper bowl prepares for closure.

Feel-Good Story: Racing Toward a Cure

If you need a reason to smile today, look no further than the preparations for the 19th annual DONNA Marathon Weekend, which officially kicks off tomorrow, January 30. As the only marathon in the world where 100 percent of the proceeds go to breast cancer research and care, the event remains the heart of Jacksonville’s philanthropic spirit. Today, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of runners from across the country are arriving in the city, turning our streets pink in a powerful show of solidarity and hope for a future without breast cancer.

Tonight’s Local Scene

• Music: Los Lonely Boys bring their signature sound to the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m., while Neko Case performs at Decca Live at 8:00 p.m.
• Sports: Support local athletics as the UNF Ospreys take on the Stetson Hatters at the UNF Arena, tip-off at 7:00 p.m.
• Theater: Families can catch the morning production of "Alice in Wonderland" at the Florida Theatre.