Jacksonville Morning Briefing: A 'Pink Out' Marathon and a Rare Arctic Chill

Good Morning, Jacksonville!

It is Sunday, February 1, 2026, and the city is waking up to a stark contrast: the warm, community spirit of the 19th Annual DONNA Marathon and a historic arctic front that has brought freezing temperatures and even rare snow flurries to Northeast Florida.

City Mood: Chilly but Fierce

The mood in Jacksonville today is one of resilience. While thousands of runners are gathered at the Beaches for the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, they are doing so in some of the coldest conditions the city has seen in years. An Extreme Cold Warning is currently in effect, with wind chills dipping into the 20s. Residents on the Northside and in surrounding areas like Middleburg have even reported sightings of snow flurries. Despite the bite in the air, the 'pink out' spirit remains high as the city rallies behind the fight against cancer.

Talking Point: The 'Florida DOGE' Audit Sparks Debate

City Hall is heating up over the recently released 'Florida DOGE' report from State CFO Blaise Ingoglia. The audit alleges that Jacksonville has overspent by nearly $200 million, specifically highlighting a $7.5 million expenditure for a single mile of the Emerald Trail and questioning $1.9 million in grants for organizations supporting DEI initiatives. While the Mayor’s office maintains these projects are vital infrastructure improvements, the City Council’s Special Committee on Duval DOGE is set to address these findings this coming Tuesday. This debate over fiscal responsibility versus city growth is currently the top conversation at coffee shops across Duval County.

Feel-Good Story: Destination Love

On a heart-warming note, the 19th Annual DONNA Marathon Weekend is reaching its pinnacle today. Under this year’s theme, 'Destination: Love,' more than 7,500 participants have joined to support the DONNA Foundation. The event continues to be the only marathon in the U.S. dedicated solely to finishing breast cancer. Seeing the sea of pink moving through the beach communities serves as a powerful reminder of what Jacksonville can achieve when it unites for a common cause.

Today’s Community Alerts

• Warming Center Open: The city has extended the activation of the Legends Center warming center at 5130 Soutel Drive. It will remain open today until noon to assist those without adequate heat.
• Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic: In response to confirmed measles cases in the county, a pop-up immunization clinic for MMR and Influenza is being held today at DOH-Duval locations to ensure community health.
• Jaguars Pride: Fans are still buzzing after a stellar 13-4 season. With the recent news that both key coordinators are returning for 2026, the local sports mood remains overwhelmingly optimistic.