The JEA Board unanimously approved a $27 million fuel credit to customers to help alleviate financial stress during the coronavirus pandemic. "Thanks to the board's action at today's meeting we will also be able to provide a rebate for all our customers in May and provide customers who wish to contribute to those in need convenient choices to do so," said interim CEO Melissa Dykes. The credit will be dispersed to customers in May of 2020 and will result in a bill reduction of approximately $25…

As the coronavirus overwhelms health systems all over, telemedicine has stepped up to fill the gaps.

Memorial Hospital has applied for a permit to begin a $15.5 million expansion of its hospital at 3625 University Blvd. S. The work would be carried out by The Robins & Morton Group and would consist of an operating room addition and interior renovation, according to the permit application. Memorial, owned by HCA Healthcare, is also underway on an $800,000 renovation to hospital's pharmacy space that was started last August, and it purchased vacant land along Philips Highway last year for $3.7 million…

In response to social distancing mandates, some local organizations are turning towards online cooking classes as both a way to maintain revenue streams and provide a medium for social interaction. Organizations such as Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews and Chef’s Garden of Jacksonville are offering interactive, online classes that allow participants to cook along with the instructor. Chef’s Garden’s classes feature co-owner and Executive Chef Jamey Evoniuk, while Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews…

Florida accounted for 227,000 of the 5.8 million unemployment claims filed across the nation last week, according to information released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationally, the number of new claims jumped 99.4 percent from the prior week as many businesses across the country have closed or scaled back because of COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “Nearly every state providing comments cited the COVID-19 virus,” a Labor Department…

Paper applications for jobless benefits will soon be accepted as Florida’s rapidly growing ranks of out-of-work people have overwhelmed the online unemployment-compensation system. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday expanded the way people can file applications for benefits while directing agency heads from throughout state government to find employees --- many now working from home because of the novel coronavirus --- to “beef up” unemployment assistance call centers. He also directed Department…

The newest STR report for hotels in Jacksonville shows a continued decline in hotel room occupancy as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on travel and tourism.

Being an attorney brings with a host of challenges and opportunities — and the 2020 JBJ Ultimate Attorneys have embraced all of them. Coming from a range of backgrounds and specializing in a variety of areas, these men and women represent the best that the legal profession has to offer. As well as excelling in things like mastering regulations and effectively litigating, they've also had an impact on the broader community, donating their time and effort to a number of community causes. This…

Welcome to Opening Day — for applications to the Paycheck Protection Program. Don’t expect it to be a quiet day. Here’s why — and what else you need to know to start your Friday. (If you'd like to receive this newsletter directly to your inbox, sign up here. You'll receive the content as an email to start your business day.) Bankers and small-business owners today can start accessing $349 billion in funding that wasn’t even in existence a week ago. The funding for the Paycheck…

Two Holland America Line ships with some passengers in critical condition due to the coronavirus docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon. According to a statement form the Seattle-based cruise line, a subsidiary of Doral-based Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL), more than 200 passengers and crew members across the two ships have exhibited flu-like symptoms since March 22. There have been four onboard deaths reported by the cruise line. Multiple reports said at least two of…

The weekend got off to a violent start in Jacksonville with a homicide and several shootings beginning late Friday night.

April 4: The latest news and information on the coronavirus.

A second employee at Amazon’s JAX-2 Northside location has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a voicemail employees received Friday.

Jacksonville criminal court shifted to Zoom proceedings this week to encourage social distancing.

A second employee at Amazon’s JAX-2 Northside location has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a voicemail employees received Friday.

COVID-19 survivor Tommy Shapard, who prepared video messages for family and friends in case he died, wants people to know of the heroism of those on the front lines against the disease.

APRIL 3: A daily update of the news you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida.

APRIL 3: A daily update of the news you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida.

Rethreaded has partnered with VyStar Credit Union, Community First Credit Union, 121 Financial Credit Union and Jax Federal Credit Union for a new project to make masks from scratch for workers with Ascension St. Vincent’s.

For a Jacksonville couple working night shifts at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, a pandemic put their wedding plans on hold — until they decided to "go ahead and do this thing" on April Fool’s Day.

Anyone who wants to donate can drop goods off at the Police Department, 1001 Idlewild Ave. in Green Cove Springs or call the pantry at (904) 284-0814.

The official dates for the Jaguars’ two London games won’t be announced no later than May 9 when the league is expected to release the 2020 schedule.

Jacksonville homicides in March were the highest ever for any March going back 15 years.

Two 19-year-old men are under arrest on second-degree murder charges in a December shooting on High Plains Drive, police said.

One highway into Northeast Florida faces some restrictions, namely a coronavirus checkpoint at the state weigh station in Nassau County. But after some initial slowdown, traffic is going smoothly with fewer and fewer motorists traveling.

JaxPort announced several precautionary measures that have been installed in an effort to stop the coronavirus.

The JEA board voted Friday to give customers a fuel credit on their May bills. Beaches Energy and FPL also are lowering bills for customers with one-time reductions.

Jacksonville-area churches and religious centers have ceased public gatherings, even for Easter. But as they offer online services, a few will do some very limited events for the faithful, while keeping their distance.

A man already in jail on charges of domestic battery against a woman is now charged with murder of her father.

Duval County Public Schools’ graduation ceremonies were supposed to take place throughout May for the district’s high schools. But as the coronavirus pandemic’s forced cancellations of in-person classes, field trips, sports and other events, students worry that their graduation ceremonies could be next on the chopping block.