First Coast Connect

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we heard from City Council member Bill Gulliford about a possible lawsuit filed by the city of Jacksonville against opioid manufacturers (01:08). Author Michael Gordon Bennett told us about his new book, “Rusty’s War: A Battle of the Mind,” (34:26) and Cole Pepper brought us the latest sports news (43:06).

Today on “First Coast Connect,” our weekly Media Roundtable included Tessa Duval, reporter for the Florida Times-Union; blogger Fred Matthews, WJCT reporter Ryan Benk and Lynn Jones of the Jacksonville Free Press (01:12). We heard about the upcoming comedy event “Solid Laugh Advice” to benefit Stronger Than Stigma with organizer Nick Davis and Stronger Than Stigma Executive Director Gabrielle Magid (39:42), and we heard about this weekend’s Apex Theatre Studio production of “Godspell” with

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke about child safety with Patricia Medlock (01:05), the area director of the Department of Children and Families. We spoke with Patrick Lane, full-time agent for Aira, his father Peter, who is blind and hosts the podcast “Blind Abilities,” and Al Avina (20:06), Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association, which is holding its convention later this month in Jacksonville. We rebroadcast an interview with author Cindy Landham (31:27), and musicians

Today on “First Coast Connect,” with the Senate’s failure last week to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, we discussed what might be the future of health care reform with Big Bang Health CEO Chris Fey (01:18). Washington Post reporter Dan Zak (27:14) told us about his book on nuclear weapons, and Katrina O’Dell (41:37) told us about this week’s Youth Block Party to educate young people about HIV and AIDS.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we discussed a study looking into ways to make roads in Jacksonville safer with Pond Director of Development Allan Iosue (01:15). Our “Movable Feast” segment featured Nicole Franques (35:04) of Claude’s Chocolate, and we spoke with Katherine Ludwig (45:10), co-author of the book “Humility Is the New Smart: Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age.”

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with John O’Brien (01:15), professor at Flagler College and CEO of the Vista Consulting Group, about Social Security reform. Our “First Coast Success” segment featured former CEO and philanthropist Barbara Drake (37:30), and Cole Pepper (45:26) brought us the latest sports news.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” our Media Roundtable featured Andrew Pantazi from the Florida Times-Union, Florida Politics reporter A.G. Gancarski and WJCT Business Analyst John Burr (01:24). We were also joined by Martha Mickler, Margo Pope and Judy Riggle (41:24) to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we heard about the upcoming count of the homeless in Jacksonville with Changing Homelessness CEO Dawn Gillman (00:57). We also spoke with Jay Rolfe (42:30) from Fortress Wealth Planning about new laws regarding fiduciary agents.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with Larry Hannan (01:04), lead writer for the Fair Punishment Project, on the U.S. Justice Department decision to reinstate what’s called civil-asset forfeiture. Our “Going Green” segment featured Nick Fiore (33:30), general manager for Go Auto Recycling. Travel blogger Judy Wells (42:53) talked about her trip to the arctic, and WJCT News Director Jessica Palombo (48:50) told us about WJCT’s Beyond the Core listening tour, which starts Wednesday evening.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” Girl Scouts Gateway Council CEO Mary Anne Jacobs gave us the details of the State of Girls 2017 report from the Girl Scout Research Institute (01:33). We heard about the TV pilot “Replica” being filmed in Jacksonville with producer Lisa Eve and actors Jordan Jett and Adrian Gentry (38:01), and ahead of One Spark we discussed crowdfunding with Breakaway Funding founder Kim Kaselionis and regional marketing director Richard Cuff (46:07).