First Coast Connect

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).

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Joshua Green (01:12) about his new book, “Devil’s Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump and the Storming of the Presidency.” Local attorney Michael Stanski (14:09) discussed federal security clearance laws and whether Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner should have his clearance revoked. The Arc Jacksonville CEO Jim Whitaker and Steve Kelly (30:54) from Everbank told us about a new job program to benefit workers with

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we took a look at Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s proposed budget with Nate Monroe from the Florida Times-Union, Claire Goforth, editor of Folio Weekly, and A.G. Gancarski (01:03) from Florida Politics. Dr. Shahriar Nabizadeh (22:19) told us what he believes ails the health care system as Washington lawmakers continue to debate repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. We heard about this weekend’s celebrity basketball game to help homeless students from

Today on “First Coast Connect,” University of North Florida history Professor David Courtwright (01:08) talked about the nation’s long history of opiate addiction. Our series “Moveable Feast with Leigh Court” featured Flippin’ Good Cookies owner Janice Newton (32:33). And we spoke with MOMS for Sight Executive Director Lisa Pleasants (42:53).

Today on “First Coast Connect,” University of North Florida political science Professor Matt Corrigan (01:03) talked about a local connection to the scandal involving Russia and the Trump administration. We spoke with author Ryan Cragun (21:47) ahead of his talk Monday night with the First Coast Freethought Society and Cole Pepper (38:19) brought us this week’s sports news.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” our weekly Media Roundtable included Florida Politics reporter A.G. Gancarski and WJCT’s Ryan Benk and Kevin Meerschaert (01:11). The Humana Foundation’s Laura Nolan and University of Florida professor and endowed chairwoman in Health Disparities Research Carolyn Tucker (38:20) discussed the foundation’s recent $444,000 donation to four Jacksonville nonprofit organizations. Finally, Rethreaded founder Kristin Keen and Wayne Bailey (46:22) with The River City

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with a local Turkish refugee (01:03) about the situation in his native country and the crackdown on dissidents since last year’s attempted coup. We did not reveal his name to protect family members still in Turkey. Cenegenics Jacksonville Medical Director Earl Eye (32:26) told us about a new erectile dysfunction treatment that eliminates the needs for pills or surgery. We were joined by Players By the Sea cast members Lucas Kish and husband-and-wife

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we discussed the opening of Jacksonville’s first medical cannabis dispensary with Trulieve spokeswoman Victoria Walker (01:09). Terrell Hogan attorneys Matt Sowell and Fadi Chakour (23:47) joined us to discuss Medical Malpractice Awareness Month. IKEA spokesman Joseph Roth (35:04) told us how the store opening in Jacksonville this year will use environmentally friendly building techniques, including the installation of solar panels. Finally, recently retired

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with League of Women Voters of Florida President Pamela Goodman (01:15) on President Trump’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Our latest episode of “Moveable Feast” featured Joe Finnegan (27:02), owner of St. Francis Inn and the Casa de Sueňos in St. Augustine. Finally, First Coast Connect Book Club leader Stacey Goldring (38:53) talked about the bicentennial of the birth of Henry David Thoreau.

Today on “First Coast Connect,” we talked about local transportation projects with Florida Department of Transportation spokespeople Ron Tittle, Odette Struys and Mary Justino (01:03). Organizer Laura Bearl (37:48) told us about the upcoming Swim Shorts Film Festival, and Cole Pepper (44:02) talked about sports news including the Sharks arena football championship game Monday night at Veterans Arena.