First Coast Connect

We took a closer look at the rapidly expanding medical marijuana market here in Florida with Columnist Shelton Hull , who covers cannabis for Folio Weekly ; and Jacksonville attorney Sally Kent Peebles , a Partner with Vicente Sederberg .

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s new report on the practice of solitary confinement , the Florida Department of Corrections holds approximately 10,000 people – more than 10 percent of its population – in solitary confinement on any given day. To put that number in perspective, the nationwide average was 4.5 percent in 2018. Shalini Goel Agarwal , Senior Supervising Attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center and Phyllis Johnson-Mabery , whose son died by suicide while in solitary

This month, during National Park Week , the National Park Service is highlighting the importance and value of our national park system to make sure we can preserve it for future generations.

On Friday's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross Media Roundtable, our panel of journalists looked at some of the biggest stories of the week, including: Jacksonville moving forward with the Cure Violence program . Aging schools and a plan to combine two of them . A long-time Jacksonville City Hall staffer steps down . Our panelists were: Freelance journalist Claire Goforth A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics Stephanie Brown of WOKV Dan Scanlan of The Florida Times-Union Daddy's Boys Building on

Several local races are headed to a runoff election in May . Thursday morning, we continued our conversations with the candidates for City Council At-Large with Councilman Tommy Hazouri , the Democratic Candidate for Group 3.

The Emerald Trail has just been an idea for decades now. However, it is finally on its way to becoming a reality, after the City Council approved a plan to build it within the next ten years.

Tuesday morning was the second in a series of candidate profiles in the Jacksonville City Council At-Large runoff races this spring. Greg Rachal , the Republican Candidate for Jacksonville City Council At Large Group 3 joined us in Studio 5. His opponent, Democrat Tommy Hazouri , is scheduled to appear on Thursday. Related: May 14 Jacksonville Runoff Elections Voters' Guide The First Coast Connect B ook Club This month’s First Coast Connect Book Club pick is The Cat’s Table , by Michael Ondaatje

We took a closer look at the future of UF Health Jacksonville with Dr. Leon Haley Jr. , the CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and Dean of the UF College of Medicine, Jacksonville; and Lindsay Haga and Patrick Krechowski from the Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) that recently worked with the hospital. 'The Repossession of James Edward Pough: Mass Shooting in Baymeadows' It was the worst mass shooting to ever take place in Florida. That is, until the shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Now, a

For today's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross Media Roundtable, our panel of journalists looked at some of the biggest stories of the week, including: JEA selecting a site for its new headquarters . The confusion - and controversy - surrounding Marsy’s Law . Our panelists were: Anne Schindler of First Coast News David Cawton with the Jax Daily Record Shelton Hull of Folio Weekly WJCT contributor John Burr Greenscape Tree Festival The Greenscape Tree Festival will take place on Saturday,

Several local races are headed to a runoff election in May. We are profiling the Jacksonville City Council At-Large races this spring as we host the candidates asking for your vote in that runoff. Wednesday we spoke with City Council At-Large Group1 candidate and former local Democratic leader Lisa King . We have also invited her opponent, Republican incumbent Councilman Terrance Freeman to join us on a future episode. 2Hearts The movie 2Hearts tells the story of Jorge & Leslie Bacardi and