First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross
Summary: Hosted by Melissa Ross, First Coast Connect is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, arts, activities across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, along with spot news features and a weekly roundtable of local journalists.
Podcasts:
Monday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Jacksonville Daily Record reporter David Cawton about his story on a federal lawsuit filed against Jacksonville-based Fanatics that accuses the company of racial discrimination and harassment (01:05). We heard about a research program at UNF studying climate change through alligator eggs with assistant professor of biology Dr. Adam Rosenblatt and student Molly O’Brien (30:26). Cole Pepper told us about the opening of Jaguars training camp, a big
Our Friday First Coast Connect Media Roundtable featured Florida Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein , WJCT contributor Charles Griggs and Florida Politics reporter A.G. Gancarski . Our topics included, Mayor Lenny Curry presenting his budget to the Jacksonville City council with an emphasis on public safety, libraries and infrastructure improvements. City Councilmember and former Council President Anna Lopez Brosche doesn’t rule out a run for Mayor. A federal judge rules a St. Johns County
Thursday on First Coast Connect we were joined by Downtown Vision CEO Jake Gordon who discussed their annual report The State of Downtown and the progress made the past few years in redevelopment projects (01:05). Former WNBA president and Gen W founder Donna Orender along with photographer Susan Michal talked about their latest book to help young women to becomes leaders in their community. It’s called WOWsdom! The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and the Possible (30:08). We heard about the first
Wednesday on First Coast Connect we were joined by Jacksonville City Councilmember Anna Lopez Brosche to discuss whether Jacksonville should place a memorial to those lynched in Duval County in Hemming Park. She also talked about a potential run for mayor (01:20). Ahead of her appearance Wednesday evening at the Publix Jacksonville Cooking School we spoke with the author of The Secrets of the Southern Table , Virginia Willis (30:18). Next week’s Art Walk features the U.S. Green Building Council
Tuesday on First Coast Connect we were joined by Jacksonville Daily Record reporter David Cawton who gave us an overview of the proposed budget presented Monday by Mayor Lenny Curry to the Jacksonville City Council (01:15). Our latest edition of Moveable Feast with Leigh Cort of the Women’s Food Alliance featured Ryan Betesh from Fogo de Chao (32:12). We heard an update on the proposed Emerald Necklace which would encompass about 19 miles of trails, green space and parks. Groundwork Jacksonville
Monday on First Coast Connect we heard about the March for our Lives political movement’s upcoming Road to Change rally Saturday at the Jacksonville Landing with teen activists Mia Cleary and Kaelin Kindy (01:14). Author Troy Mosley discussed his book about Harry Truman’s executive order to desegregate the military 70 years ago, Unwritten Truce: The Armed Forces and American Social Justice (34:52). Cole Pepper talked about the Jaguars training camp beginning this week, last week’s SEC media days
Our Friday Media Roundtable on First Coast Connect featured Florida Times-Union reporter Andrew Pantazi , The Victory’s Jax Engage radio host Angela Spears , Folio Weekly editor Claire Goforth and Beaches Leader columnist Jon McGowan . Topics discussed included: Jacksonville City Hall is fighting a lawsuit challenging Terrance Freeman’s eligibility to serve on the City Council. A Neptune Beach board says “no” to a controversial project. After about a decade Berkman II is on track for
Thursday on First Coast Connect in the wake of Wednesday night’s debate with the five major Democratic candidates for Governor we heard an update on how both the Democratic and Republican races are faring with FSCJ political science professor Daniel Cronrath (01:15). We heard about the new program Go 365 . It’s an initiative between Jacksonville’s Timucuan Trail State and National Parks and Humana to encourage people to get out and explore our extensive park system. We spoke with Timucuan Parks
Wednesday on First Coast Connect we discussed the growing controversy around the appointment of Terrance Freeman to the Jacksonville City Council by Governor Rick Scott by speaking with attorney and political consultant Obi Umunna (01:06). Ahead of Wednesday night’s Neptune Beach Community Development Review Board vote on the proposed 500 Atlantic project we spoke with a member of the opposition group #NeptuneStrong Ric Duncan . A spokesperson for the developer was not available Wednesday
Tuesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Agriculture Commissioner candidate Democrat Nikki Fried about her campaign and the issues she is focusing on, which include the environment, medical marijuana and gun background checks (01:17). The National Diversity Council ’s Communications Chair Kristen Williams joined us about the organization’s work to promote diversity in the workplace (27:43). Pippa Mann is an inspiration to people around the world as one of the few women ever to race in the
Monday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Chris King , one of the five major Democratic candidates running for governor. (01:08) We also spoke with we spoke with Baptist Medical Center South President Nicole Thomas and Kelly Youngs of She Is Fierce! ahead of the WJCT and Baptist Health A Day4her Wellness Retreat on August 18 at the downtown Hyatt (46:00) . Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org , 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @ KMeerschaertJax .
Wednesday on First Coast Connect as part of Mental Health Awareness Month we heard about what’s being done to help children with mental disorders on the First Coast from Vicki Waytowich with the Partnership for Child Health (01:28). In our Going Green segment we spoke with author Jennifer Swanson about her latest book Geogreening Earth’s Climate: Resettling the Thermostat . The book recently won a Green Earth book Honor Award from the Nature Generation (21:46). The annual Gladys Prior Awards
Tuesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Ben Frazier of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and Wells Todd with the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition about the March for Change . It’s a three-day march from Jacksonville to St. Augustine to call for the removal of Confederate monuments from public places on the First Coast (01:02). On the heels of the Westside childhood home of Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie Van Zant being designated as a Florida Heritage site we heard a rebroadcast a 2015
Monday on First Coast Connect we spoke with President of Terrawise Homes and WJCT board member Melody Shacter and Mark Sherman , Senior Loan Consultant with LoanDepot about the rising problem of affordable housing on the First Coast (01:05). UNF psychology professor Dr. Dominik Guess talked to us about his research into patience in everyday life (28:28). WJCT Sports Analyst Cole Pepper discussed this year’s Players Championship and a big win for Webb Simpson (46:00). Kevin Meerschaert can be
Friday our First Coast Connect Media Roundtable featured Florida Times-Union reporter Andrew Pantazi , Action News Jax anchor John Bachman , radio host and former First Coast News anchor Angela Spears and Jacksonville Business Journal editor Timothy Gibbons. Issues discussed included: Hundreds of Duval County students will be required to transfer to new schools this fall due to a “human error” by district officials. The School Board is expected to hire a new Superintendent next week A woman is
