The Jacksonville Today newsletter has experienced tremendous growth between June 1, 2022 and May 25, 2023.
The newsletter celebrates the many ways in which Jacksonville today is a different place than it was yesterday, and recognizes that the decisions we make as a community now will shape the Jacksonville of tomorrow. Our goal is to help our readers feel more connected to where we live and to each other, so they can make those decisions in a more informed way.
Jacksonville Today is independent and locally owned and operated by WJCT Public Media, complementing the organization’s radio and online reporting under the WJCT News 89.9 brand as a standalone, digital-first product and brand. We provide independent, non-partisan information that helps our readers stay informed, get involved in their community, and become more civically engaged — all in a succinct package delivered straight to their inbox at 6 a.m. sharp. Every Monday through Friday, readers can start the day with a curated quick summary of recent news, or go in-depth with links to longer-form reporting on jaxtoday.org and other articles from a wide range of sources.
When readers subscribe, they receive a 4-5 email newsletter “welcome series,” starting with a message from our editor, introduction to our team, an invitation to share the newsletter with friends, and, after three weeks, an invitation to support our work with a tax-deductible donation.
Each daily newsletter offers the weather; a recap of news stories, including our original reporting; the popular “Get Involved Today” section, which urges readers to participate in local government; a weekend roundup of “Arts Picks” every Friday; opinion columns from diverse local voices; a weekly “News Quiz”; and each email ends with “A Little Bit of Joy,” which shares uplifting stories and photos to leave readers feeling good, even if the news isn’t.
There is not a shortage of local and national newsletters with curation done by an algorithm. By contrast, Jacksonville Today has its own personal voice – not an easy feat. Jacksonville Today is written and compiled each day by a full-time newsletter editor and writer, who inject their personality and sign off with a personal message every morning. We strike a positive tone through our “A Little Bit of Joy” section and engage readers through our “#AskJAXTDY” and “Your Take” sections. And if we get something wrong, we’ll personally send out a correction later that day.
Jacksonville Today is unlike any other email newsletter in Jacksonville — and based on the success from our first year, it’s a welcome new addition to the local media landscape.
