Jonathan Simmons

Jonathan Simmons covers breaking news, government, features and outdoor recreation for The Palm Coast Observer, where his work has garnered Florida Press Association awards in the categories of environmental/agricultural reporting, investigative reporting, in-depth reporting, business reporting, general news story and feature non-profile story, among others.

Jonathan studied journalism at Florida International University, graduating with honors in April 2013 after internships for The Miami Herald and Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. He holds a bachelor’s in Middle Eastern studies from Florida State University and completed a certificate in Jewish studies alongside his journalism bachelor’s degree at FIU. 

Jonathan lived in Beirut from 2008 to 2010, working on his Arabic skills and tutoring English-language students. An outdoorsman with a particular affection for Florida’s swamps and marshes, he hikes, paddles and fishes in his spare time.