Carmen Macri

Since a young age, Carmen Macri knew she wanted to be a writer. She started as our student intern and has advanced to Multi-media Journalist/Creative. She graduated from the University of North Florida and quickly found her home with Folio Weekly. She juggles writing, photography and running Folio’s social media accounts.

Jacksonville Is Getting in Its Own Way … Again.

Carmen Macri

September 19, 2024

Downtown·Feature·News

What is really happening with the Laura Street Trio? Words by Carmen Macri In the very heart of Downtown Jacksonville lies the very vacant Laura Street Trio. The buildings have been deteriorating for more than 30 years with graffiti covering the walls and overgrown weeds taking over the landscape. But the question remains, why? To put it bluntly, the

Feature

Healthcare Prices May Be on the Rise as Baptist Health and Florida Blue Battle It Out

Words by Carmen Macri A dispute between Northeast Florida’s largest healthcare system and its leading health insurance provider has left tens of thousands of people uncertain about their future healthcare. The three-year contract between Baptist Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida (BCBS) is set to expire on

The Holy Punt

Collegiate Football Program Comes to Jacksonville Community College Words by Carmen

Get Rowdy at The Rowdy Pickle

Words By Carmen Macri For reasons beyond me, pickleball has become

Hold on Tight and Don’t Let Go

February 28, 2025

Entertainment·Feature

PBR Unleash the Beast comes back to Jacksonville Words by Carmen Macri Any day with a front-row view of professional bull riders — tight pants, cowboy hats, the whole deal — is a good one. No complaints. Ever. But this isn’t about my cowboy daydreams; it’s about the raw

Sex and the Bold City

February 28, 2025

Editorial Opinion·Feature

The Dos and Don’ts of Online Dating Words by Carmen Macri A few days ago, our office lunch took an unexpected turn when a coworker — freshly single — shared her attempt at diving back into the Jacksonville dating scene via the usual suspects: Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, etc. Her

Jackson McCarthy: Youth Division, Third Place

February 21, 2025

Feature·Local Musicians·Music·Musician Interviews

Words by Carmen Macri I think the world just found its fifth Beatle in Jackson McCarthy. Not only does his name fit the bill, but he looks the part too. With a killer mullet and a fresh suit and tie, the 11-year-old strutted onto the Clay County Star Search

Trennis Miller: Second Place, Adult Division

February 21, 2025

Feature·Music·Musician Interviews

Words by Carmen Macri “I’ll show you why you never doubt Trennis Miller.” And prove them wrong he did. Trennis Miller had no plans to take the stage at Clay County’s Star Search — said it wasn’t really his thing. That was until a local DJ secretly recorded

Pro-Life or Anti-Choice?

February 20, 2025

Editorial Opinion·Feature·News

Reading Florida Abortion Bans Fine Print Words by Carmen Macri It’s a tale as old as time — what women are allowed to do with their bodies, and naturally with the course of history, that list gets shorter and shorter. For some, this may seem like old news. I mean,

Joni Baxley: First Place, Adult Division

February 19, 2025

Feature

Words by Carmen Macri With a name like Joni Baxley, it’s almost fitting that she was crowned the shining star of Clay County’s Star Search competition last year. But make no mistake — her talent speaks for itself. Baxley has been singing for as long as she can remember,

The Ultimate V-Day Day-trip Guide

January 31, 2025

Editorial Opinion·Feature

Words by Carmen Macri Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you see it as a Hallmark invention designed to sell cards and make single people feel worse, or you’re happily coupled up and not as jaded as the rest of us, chances are you’re looking for

Decca Live: Jacksonville’s Nightlife Finally Gets the Glow-Up It Deserves

January 31, 2025

Feature·Nightlife

It’s like the Jacksonville Gods answered our prayers with Decca Live. Words by Carmen Macri I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve begged, pleaded, and borderline prayed for Jacksonville to get a nightclub that actually delivers — because, let’s be honest, Myth just isn’t cutting it anymore (no

Grassroots Natural Market

January 22, 2025

BEST OF JAX·Feature·Food + Drink·Health & Wellness

A two-time winner of Best Health Food Store (and rightfully so), this spot has been a go-to for natural, healthy, and organic foods—fresh produce, meats, and more—for local families. Since 2006, it’s become a staple of Historic Riverside’s 5 Points, offering everything you need to live your healthiest life.

Best Local Musician: Vince Jones

January 22, 2025

BEST OF JAX·Feature·Local Musicians·Music

Vince Jones, a standout member of the “Folio” award-winning band Blistur, is now a two-time winner of Best Local Musician. With over 30 years of experience and more than 100 shows under his belt, Vince’s musical prowess speaks for itself.