First Coast Connect

As a reporter covering Florida executions, John Koch has never been busier. He attended each of the state’s record 19 executions last year, as well as the first of 2026, bringing his total to 106. We talk to him on the eve of his 107th execution, of Melvin Trotter, who is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday for the 1986 murder of Virgie Langford in Manatee County. We ask Koch what keeps him going, and grounded, in a largely thankless job that has earned him the nickname “Dr. Death.”

Guest: John Koch, correspondent, Independent News Service

Shortly after a JEA board appointment ended in political embarrassment for Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico, he levied allegations against the utility’s CEO, accusing her of fostering a racist and toxic work environment. Mayor Donna Degan, JEA CEO Vickey Cavey and JEA Board Chair Joe DiSalvo pushed back on Friday, with Deegan calling the allegations a “vile smear campaign” tied to people who previously tried and failed to sell JEA. Deegan said the allegations surfaced after Cavey refused to renew a contract with an influential lobbying group. Although she didn’t mention names, JEA recently declined to renew a lobbying contract with Ballard Partners, which employs former Mayor Lenny Curry and his former staffer Jordan Elsbury, both key figures in the failed JEA sale. We get a breakdown from Florida Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein ahead of a pair of meetings Tuesday, of both the JEA board and the City Council.

Guest: David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union

On this week’s program, how a next-generation medical school aims to reshape the future of health care. New medical schools are emerging nationwide, but how will they train future doctors to address gaps in access, rising costs and health inequities? Dr. Joe Sirven speaks to the founding dean of a groundbreaking program that blends medicine with engineering. She explores how “physician engineers” could transform care delivery by emphasizing prevention, teamwork and technology that restores the human connection between patient and provider.

Guest: Dr. Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby, founding dean, Arizona State University John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering

Then, prioritizing prevention to extend the “healthspan.” Medicine has long been reactionary, with a focus on treating illness rather than deterring it. But what if the paradigm shifted from crisis management to proactive care? Dr. David Dodick, Atria’s chief science and medical officer, explains how his organization uses a precision, data-driven model to identify metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological risks years before diagnosis, allowing patients to optimize their well-being and live longer, healthier lives.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:

• Jacksonville’s City Council president is under fire for what some are calling a “quid pro Carrico.”
• The Downtown Investment Authority declines to pay to keep a major tenant from moving out.
• A key witness backs out of a plea deal and will not testify against the accused in a high-profile murder-for-hire case.
• “Close, but no cigar” no more: Swisher promises to hire from the surrounding neighborhood in a planned expansion. 
• State Rep. Dean Black files another bill that would protect “historic monuments” with an eye to Jacksonville’s namesake.

Guests:

• Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant (currently representing Michael Kirwan, Democratic candidate for Congress)
• Mike Mendenhall, associate editor and City Hall reporter at Jacksonville Today
• Jack Webb, attorney and former City Council president
• Ben Becker, anchor and investigative reporter at Action News Jax

A wartime rom-com tells the true story of the playwright’s own parents' courtship during World War II. The play, told in epistolary style, reads like a conversation more than a series of letters. But it’s based on the real life experience of Ken Ludwig’s mom and dad. The Tony award-winning playwright behind Lend Me a Tenor wrote Dear Jack, Dear Louise as kind of a love letter to the couple. The two-person play kicks off the 106th season at Theatre Jacksonville, where it runs Feb. 27 until March 15.

Guests:

• Roxanna Lewis, director, Dear Jack, Dear Louise
• Sarah Boone, executive director, Theatre Jacksonville

From “brainrot” to “yapping,” a lot of modern slang is actually repurposed century-old lingo. It’s a topic that New York Times wordplay reporter and language lover Sam Corbin has recently focused on, noting that in addition to the expected neologisms, Gen Alpha is also spouting century-old vocabulary words like “skedaddle” and “diabolical.” We ask what makes some old-timey words choice for the picking, and why “goon,” “sheesh” and possibly even “whence” are having a post-millennial moment.

Guest: Sam Corbin, New York Times Games Section columnist

A program designed to stave off gentrification — and Airbnb-ification — was recently launched in the community of West Augustine. Situated west of U.S. 1, the neighborhood is both historic and historically disenfranchised, while also a prime location for infill development. In order to keep families in homes and older residents from being priced out of the community, the city of St. Augustine established the Revive & Restore Residential Repair Grant Program. Modeled after a similar, successful initiative in the city’s Lincolnville neighborhood, the program offers grants up to $25,000 for income-qualified West City residents to conduct needed home repairs. We ask the program administrator how the city plans to measure success.

Guest: Jaime D. Perkins, community services director, city of St. Augustine

Customers, especially those under 40, say sustainability is a purchasing priority. But many are skeptical about corporate claims of environmental stewardship, and others find buying responsibly cost-prohibitive. The North Florida Green Chamber aims to bridge that divide, helping promote local businesses that truly embody planet-first priorities, while also affordably platforming the companies under their green umbrella. We ask three chamber partners how the First Coast is faring when it comes to generating and preserving the color of money.

Guests:

• Dolly Penland, chair and board member, North Florida Green Chamber
• Corey Jones, secretary and board member, North Florida Green Chamber
• Craig Barzso, director, North Florida Green Chamber Solar Collective and president, AltWays Solar

Perhaps you’ve seen one of those parents. Perhaps you’ve been one. But new research shows the sideline presence of and off-field pressure from toxic parents are increasingly spoiling youth sports — and not just for kids. Coaches, referees, even other parents report growing frustration and burnout as the intensity, cost and career potential of youth athletics expands. We talk to a statewide champion coach (and parent) and an experienced ref about the problem. We also get a professional’s perspective on the psychological dynamics behind, and potential remedies for, this problematic conduct.

Guests:

• Mike Pickett, champion girls soccer coach, St. Johns Country Day School
• Nicole Davidson-Harshaw, licensed mental health counselor, Dupont Counseling Group
• Zachary Roth, member, North Florida Officials Association

For anyone who's been rocked by recognition of global inequity and the simultaneity of disaster and peace, Wallace Shawn’s The Fever offers a searing portrait of individual reckoning. Shawn, an acclaimed playwright best known for his roles in My Dinner with Andre and The Princess Bride (“inconceivable!”), began performing the one-person play in 1990, but his exploration of how a sensitive person copes amid vast economic inequality and suffering remains highly relevant today. The current production at The Lumen, featuring actor Jessica Racaniello as the play’s central figure, runs Feb. 20-March 7, with a special “pay what you can” preview on Feb. 19. And, as always, the theater offers free admission for theater students. The Feb. 28 performance features a post-show talkback specifically for those pursuing careers in the field.

Guests:  

• Jessica Racaniello, actor, The Fever
• Noah Bennett, director, The Fever
• Brian Niece, artistic director, Lumen Repertory Theatre

If competing in a wheelbarrow obstacle course or playing soccer with a backpack blower meets your needs as a weekend warrior, an upcoming “landscape rodeo” might just be your ideal outlet. Sponsored by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscapers Frontrunners Chapter, the inaugural Landscape Rodeo at Ancient City Farmstead in St. Augustine promises more than 20 challenges and races, testing landscaper skills ranging from a zero-turn mower course to a three-person lawn mower relay race. The event Friday is designed to reward competence as well as lure new people to the trade, including through training scholarships.

Guest: Erin Alvarez, business development manager at Skyfrog Landscape and member of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association

The federal rollback of a key Clean Air Act rule puts the United States in conflict with international scientific consensus and public health priorities. Late last week, the Trump administration snuffed out pollution limits on planet-warming greenhouse gases, including emissions from tailpipes and power plants. The Trump administration calls it the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. Opponents don’t disagree, but they say it’s also catastrophic folly. We talk to a local expert in climate resilience and the former EPA chief of air quality about the motives behind and implications of the reversal of the landmark climate endangerment rule.

Guests:

• Joe Goffman, former chief of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation 
• John Burr, former journalist, Northeast Florida Sierra Club board member

Celebrating 100 years of Black history, one church sermon at a time. A local pastor has created a textbook guide to the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, packaging readings and biographies of prominent Black figures in a once-every-Sunday format. We talk to the leader of St. Augustine’s historic St. Paul African AME Church about the spirit behind the new compilation, titled The Blacker the History the Sweeter the Truth.

Guest: The Rev. Alesia Scott-Ford Burse, author of The Blacker the History the Sweeter the Truth

Bills advancing through the Florida Legislature could dramatically affect life on the First Coast, especially in the region’s remaining rural areas. Of particular concern for southern St. Johns County are the so-called “Blue Ribbon Projects,” companion bills that would essentially strip local governments and residents of any say in developments larger than 10,000 acres, as long as certain conditions are met. Supporters point to requirements that 60% of the land be “reserved” and not developed. Opponents note "reserved" doesn’t mean "conserved," and the land could still be used for everything from electric and water utilities to standard amenities and golf courses. The Blue Ribbon bills are among several fast-moving proposals that favor developers and limit opportunities for public participation.

Guests:

• Kim Dinkins, policy and planning director, 1000 Friends of Florida 
• Jason Garcia, investigative reporter at Seeking Rents and author of Big Profits, Tiny Taxes

Patterns of abuse and domestic violence can begin as early as the teen years, when kids just begin dating. Teaching young people about available resources, and teaching parents how to recognize signs of a problem, are a key focus of local domestic violence shelters. We talk to a survivor of teen dating violence, along with an expert from Hubbard House about current trends, programs and the ways technology can serve as both a potential hazard and a conduit for help.

Guests:

• Stephanie Brown, director of community education, Hubbard House
• Tonia, survivor of domestic violence

A song first performed by 500 schoolchildren at the old Stanton School to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is restaged at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing" Concert. In honor of Black History Month, the song written by Jacksonville artist and brothers James Weldon and John Rosamond Johnson takes center stage at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The Children’s Chorus performs what has since become known as the “Black National Anthem” alongside the Edward Waters University Concert Choir and the Florida State College at Jacksonville Combined Choirs. We talk to the chorus director and a performer about what it means to celebrate the historic performance.

Guests:

• KT Boling, director of operations, Jacksonville Children's Chorus
• Elizabeth, member of touring choir

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:

• Florida’s attorney general targets the Mayor's Office again, subpoenaing records from the city’s Hispanic outreach coordinator.
• Two former teachers union leaders are sentenced for defrauding their own local.
• A historically Black college backtracks after banning the word “Black” from Black History Month flyers.
• An anti-panhandling ordinance ends up costing St. Johns County taxpayers more than $90,000.
• A bombastic Pam Bondi summons her Florida bona fides in defending the Epstein records rollout.
• A former City Council member and state representative died Sunday at 66 after a brief illness.

Guests:

• Nikesha Williams , former TV producer, author of The Seven Daughters of Dupree
• Frank Powers , former assignment manager at News4Jax
• John Daigle , political consultant, former reporter 
• David Bauerlein , metro reporter, The Florida Times-Union

The Jazz Discovery Series was created to spotlight the next generation of jazz musicians while luring standout talent back to Jacksonville. The next performance in the series, founded by jazz drummer and educator John Lumpkin II, features Juilliard student and jazz vocalist Julia Danielle. We discuss classic love songs and musical inspiration and get a preview of Danielle’s Valentine’s Day-inspired lineup. Tickets are required.

Guests:

• Julia Danielle , vocalist and featured performer, Jazz Discovery Series
• John Lumpkin , jazz artist, educator and founder of the Jazz Discovery Series

Just weeks after vacating one of the most high-profile pundit seats in American journalism, longtime conservative columnist for the New York Times David Brooks comes to Jacksonville. Brooks announced his departure for The Atlantic in late January, a move that prompted numerous reflections on his two decades at the nation’s newspaper of record. His long journalistic career includes regular appearances on the PBS NewsHour, as well as stints at the Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, Forbes, Newsweek and the Washington Post. In a wide-ranging conversation, Brooks discusses the political prescience of ancient Roman philosophers, the Right’s musical crutch Kid Rock and the difference between “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” Brooks speaks on “Society in Focus” at the University of North Florida on Feb. 17 as part of the World Affairs Council speakers series. Complimentary tickets are available.

Guest: David Brooks, staff writer at The Atlantic, former New York Times columnist, PBS News Hour political analyst

Then, love ‘em or hate ‘em, we talk about the best reads for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a red hot romance or a scorched earth relationship memoir, love is a many splendored thing for book fans. We get hot, hot takes from local bookstore owners about how bibliophiles should celebrate the Hallmark holiday, and get gift suggestions for those we love a little, or a lot.

Guests:

• Rona Brinlee, owner, The Book Mark
• Dana Shutters, owner of Happy Medium Books Cafe
  

Recommended Valentine's reads

• A Forty-Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
• Clutch by Emily Nemens
• From Eras to Ever After: Love Notes From Taylor & Travis by Bella Montgomery
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
• One & Only by Maurene Goo
• The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian
• The Love Haters by Katherine Center
• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
• They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
• We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
• The Award by Matthew Pearl
• The Architect by Javier Moro

It’s a race that unfortunately doesn't have a finish line. Since the Jacksonville Community Alliance began its Together Against Hate initiative after a rise in racist and antisemitic incidents across Jacksonville in 2022, the JCA and the First Coast YMCA have hosted multiple events to focus attention on the problem and demonstrate community unity. On Feb. 22, the alliance will host its 3rd Annual Racing Against Hate 5K at the Winston Family YMCA. The event also includes a one-mile family fun run. We talk to two organizers about making strides in the race against intolerance.

Guests:

• Heather Terrill, director, J Institute
• Eleanor Blair, vice president of strategic communications and connections at YMCA of Florida’s First Coast

Just weeks after vacating one of the most high-profile pundit seats in American journalism, longtime conservative columnist for the New York Times David Brooks comes to Jacksonville. Brooks announced his departure for The Atlantic in late January, a move that prompted numerous reflections on his two decades at the nation’s newspaper of record. His long journalistic career includes regular appearances on the PBS NewsHour, as well as stints at the Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, Forbes, Newsweek and the Washington Post. In a wide-ranging conversation, Brooks discusses the political prescience of ancient Roman philosophers, the Right’s musical crutch Kid Rock and the difference between “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” Brooks speaks on “Society in Focus” at the University of North Florida on Feb. 17 as part of the World Affairs Council speakers series. Complimentary tickets are available.

Guest: David Brooks, staff writer at The Atlantic, former New York Times columnist, PBS News Hour political analyst

Then, love ‘em or hate ‘em, we talk about the best reads for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a red hot romance or a scorched earth relationship memoir, love is a many splendored thing for book fans. We get hot, hot takes from local bookstore owners about how bibliophiles should celebrate the Hallmark holiday, and get gift suggestions for those we love a little, or a lot. We also want your suggestions. Go to firstcoastconnect.org to sign up for our new (almost!) daily newsletter and submit your book recommendations in the comments section for tomorrow’s program.

Guests:

• Rona Brinlee, owner, The Book Mark
• Dana Shutters, owner of Happy Medium Books Cafe
  

Recommended Valentine's reads

• A Forty-Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
• Clutch by Emily Nemens
• From Eras to Ever After: Love Notes From Taylor & Travis by Bella Montgomery
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
• One & Only by Maurene Goo
• The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian
• The Love Haters by Katherine Center
• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
• They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
• This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
• We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
• The Award by Matthew Pearl
• The Architect by Javier Moro

It’s a race that unfortunately doesn't have a finish line. Since the Jacksonville Community Alliance began its Together Against Hate initiative after a rise in racist and antisemitic incidents across Jacksonville in 2022, the JCA and the First Coast YMCA have hosted multiple events to focus attention on the problem and demonstrate community unity. On Feb. 22, the alliance will host its 3rd Annual Racing Against Hate 5K at the Winston Family YMCA. The event also includes a one-mile family fun run. We talk to two organizers about making strides in the race against intolerance.

Guests:

• Heather Terrill, director, J Institute
• Eleanor Blair, vice president of strategic communications and connections at YMCA of Florida’s First Coast