COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus Times has a new sister site, and it is bringing free, independent local news to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Meet Jax Times (jaxtimes.com), a new digital news destination that published its first story on Oct. 19, 2026, and has already delivered more than 100 stories in its first week. From Florida beaches and restaurant inspections to football, hurricanes and local history, the new site gives readers plenty of reasons to explore what is happening across Northeast Florida.

For Columbus Times readers, the new website may feel familiar right away. Jax Times runs on the same platform as Columbus Times, with a recognizable layout and teal-green colors replacing the red that Columbus readers know. The new site brings that familiar experience to a different community, connecting two local news audiences through a shared approach to accessible information.

Two News Sites, One Commitment to Local Readers

Columbus Times has served Columbus, Georgia, since 1935, and its owners are Petra and Mark Gertjegerdes. Jax Times is independently owned by Mark Gertjegerdes, who serves as its editor and director of digital and advertising. The Jacksonville publication is not part of a chain or larger media company, giving it an independent identity focused on the communities it covers.

One of the most appealing things about the new website is its price: absolutely free. Jax Times has no paywall, no subscription requirement and no charge to read its reporting. Advertising supports the publication, but advertisers have no say in news coverage, maintaining a clear separation between the site's business operations and editorial decisions.

The pace of the launch has been impressive. Since publishing its first story on Oct. 19, Jax Times has produced more than 100 stories during its opening week, introducing readers to a growing collection of local reporting and useful resources. Visitors can explore coverage ranging from important regional developments to the everyday information that helps people understand their communities.

From Jacksonville to the Beaches and Beyond

Jax Times covers four Northeast Florida counties: Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau. Its geographic reach includes dedicated pages for Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. That coverage gives readers several ways to keep up with the places they know, visit or want to learn more about.

For Columbus residents with friends or relatives in Northeast Florida, the new site offers another way to stay connected. Families considering beach vacations, trips to Jacksonville or visits to the surrounding communities can explore local news before they arrive. Bulldogs fans also have a reason to follow Jacksonville developments, particularly with major changes affecting the annual Florida-Georgia football game.

5 Things to Check Out on Jax Times

There is much more to jaxtimes.com than a collection of headlines. The website combines traditional local reporting with interactive tools, community information and stories that reach beyond Northeast Florida. Here are five places Columbus Times readers can start exploring.

1. Restaurant inspections you can actually search. Like the Restaurant Scores feature on Columbus Times, Jax Times offers a searchable look at Florida state restaurant inspection results. Its database tracks 4,768 restaurants across Northeast Florida and 3,986 inspections conducted since July 1, 2026. Readers can also follow individual restaurants to receive alerts, making the tool especially useful when exploring dining options around Jacksonville and nearby communities.

2. The Florida-Georgia football game's big move. For the first time in 31 years, the Florida-Georgia game will not take place in Jacksonville this year. The Gators and Bulldogs meet Saturday, Oct. 31, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta because EverBank Stadium is undergoing renovation. The game moves to Tampa in 2027 and is scheduled to return to Jacksonville in 2028, continuing a rivalry whose teams have met in Jacksonville every year since 1933 except 1994 and 1995.

3. Jacksonville's $1.4 billion stadium transformation. Jax Times covers the massive "Stadium of the Future" renovation at EverBank Stadium, a project costing $1.4 billion. Jacksonville is paying $775 million, while the Jaguars are contributing $625 million, and approximately 20,000 seats were removed for the current season. The Jaguars expect to play in Orlando during 2027, with the renovated Jacksonville stadium scheduled to reopen in August 2028.

4. Local transportation and fascinating history. Jacksonville's Skyway, a free 2.5-mile elevated monorail with eight stations downtown and on the Southbank, is scheduled to pause service Monday, Nov. 2, as the Jacksonville Transportation Authority faces a $39 million budget shortfall. Readers can also discover historical features about LaVilla, once known as the "Harlem of the South," and Naval Air Station Jacksonville at 86. These stories offer different ways to understand Jacksonville, from the transportation system serving its downtown to the history of communities and institutions that helped shape the area.

5. Business news and everyday tools. Jax Times has covered Microsoft's Oct. 26 buyout offer to approximately 60,000 employees, examining what the announcement means for Jacksonville. Beyond individual stories, readers can explore gas prices, cost of living, a moving-to-Jacksonville guide, hurricanes, schools, high school football, events, obituaries and jobs. The site also offers a news quiz and a free daily email newsletter, giving visitors more ways to engage with local information.

A New Connection Between Columbus and Northeast Florida

The connection between Columbus and Jacksonville extends beyond the two news websites. Columbus families may have friends or relatives living near Jacksonville, travel plans involving Northeast Florida beaches or an interest in the Bulldogs' football traditions. Jax Times gives those readers a free place to learn about the region, follow local developments and discover stories they might otherwise miss.

The new publication also creates an opportunity to explore subjects that resonate in both communities. Restaurant inspections, transportation changes, business developments, local history and the cost of living all appear among the topics covered by Jax Times. Readers familiar with these subjects on Columbus Times can now find a similar range of information focused on Jacksonville and surrounding Northeast Florida communities.

And for anyone wondering what the new sister site means for Columbus Times, the answer is simple. Nothing changes about Columbus Times' continuing coverage of Columbus, Georgia. Readers do not need to sign up for anything, switch websites or take any action to continue following the local news they already enjoy.

Come Meet Our New Sister Site

More than 100 stories in one week is an energetic beginning for a new local publication. Jax Times has opened its doors to readers with free news, searchable restaurant inspections, community resources and coverage stretching across four Northeast Florida counties. Its familiar platform also makes it easy for Columbus Times readers to explore the new site and find their way around.

We invite our Columbus Times readers to take a look, explore a few stories and get acquainted with our new sister publication. Visit jaxtimes.com to discover what is happening in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, and sign up for the free daily email newsletter. You can also follow Jax Times on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxtimescom and on X at @JaxTimesNews.