First Coast Connect

It’s been more than two decades since Floridians elected a Democratic attorney general, but Jose Javier Rodriguez, a practicing attorney and former state lawmaker in the House and Senate, is making the bid. As part of our ongoing election coverage, we ask him about the “ghost candidate” scheme that led to his legislative ouster, the power wielded by the state’s power companies and his Republican opponent, incumbent Attorney General James Uthmeier. We also take your calls and questions.

Guest:

• Jose Javier Rodriguez, Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general.

Then, we meet the New York-based, Jacksonville-born sculptor and painter featured in the newest exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville. Titled Whitney Oldenburg: left behind, the exhibition showcases Oldenburg’s fascination with the powerful relationship between humans and their objects, often at the expense of the natural environment. The show is the first institutional survey of Oldenburg’s work and includes a selection of 23 sculptures and 19 drawings that explore “how the items we build, touch or throw away participate in shaping our inner and outer worlds.”

Guests:

• Whitney Oldenburg, featured artist, MOCA Jacksonville, Whitney Oldenburg: left behind.
• Ylva Rouse, deputy director of curatorial affairs, senior curator, MOCA Jacksonville.

And, a chance to get moving in order to prevent elders from having to do so. The annual Freed to Run is a two-day event designed to raise money for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s “Shelter for Elders” endowment. The program helps protect vulnerable seniors from housing issues ranging from door-to-door scams and wrongful evictions, to reverse mortgage foreclosures and substandard living conditions. Participants complete as many half-mile laps as they can walking or running around the Duval County Courthouse, or bike there from the St. Johns County Courthouse. The event runs Saturday and Sunday.

Guests:

• Mike Freed, attorney and organizer of the annual Freed to Run Challenge.
• Jim Kowalski, president and CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.

Shifting allegiances among members of the MAGA base, an election shakeup and a presidential 180 on releasing the Epstein files. We talk about it all, as well as the future of healthcare subsidies, with the founding executive director of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute.

Guest:

• Rick Mullaney, attorney, executive director and Robert T. Shircliff chair at the Jacksonville University Haskell Public Policy Institute.

Then, a local surfer-scientist continues to shape life at the Beaches. Bill Longenecker, who for 40 years was the voice of the daily recorded Sunrise Surf Shop surf reports, is still teaching locals about beach conditions — this time in the classroom. We ask the former longtime Florida Times-Union Shorelines columnist and avid surfer/runner/cyclist about inspiring a passion for science in kids through lessons about sand, snakes and the origin of all “stuff.”

Guest:

• Bill Longenecker, former daily surf reporter and Florida Times-Union Wavelengths columnist. 

And, an iconic hair flip, an offscreen romance and the dark, seedy world of noir. In honor of Noirvember, we sit down with the annual movie series curator and film noir aficionado David Luckin to discuss what's so good about Gilda. The iconic movie screens at WJCT Studios on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with concessions and a cash bar available. Anyone who brings an item to donate to Feeding Northeast Florida gets a free bag of popcorn.

Guest:

• David Luckin, host, Electro Lounge, WJCT Public Media Station Manager.

Plus, a behind-the-scenes peek into the creative spaces of more than 70 local artists. CoRK Arts District holds its 14th annual Fall 2025 Open Studios Weekend from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The self guided tour offers a chance to meet the artists, watch them create and experience one of the most vibrant workspaces around. The day also includes kids activities presented by Gogh Create, and businesses remain open during the open studio hours.

Guest:

• Crystal Floyd, artist and studio director of the CoRK Arts District.

In response to a question from a First Coast Connect listener in May, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has launched a countywide task force to tackle the issue of affordable child care. The group comprises advocacy groups, educators, state employees, medical professionals, university professors and parents, and is tasked with examining the reasons behind the high cost of child care in Duval County and suggesting solutions. We talk with four task force members about what questions they want answered and what they hope to deliver.

Guests:

• Dr. Cheryl Fountain, professor and executive director, Florida Institute of Education at the University of North Florida.
• Betty Burney, founder and executive director, I'm A Star Foundation.
• Yasmina White, advocate and parent leader.
• LaTanya Wynn-Hall, retired Duval Head Start executive director, board member Early Learning Coalition Duval.

Then, Alison Brown has performed professionally for nearly 50 years as a banjo player, guitarist and composer. Her musical partners have included everyone from Béla Fleck and Alison Krauss to the Indigo Girls and Vince Gill, and she’s won Grammys and nominations alike for both her solo work and her musical collaborations. Most recently, she released her debut album with a longtime collaborator and friend, the comedian and accomplished banjo player Steve Martin. We caught up with her ahead of the Jacksonville performance of the Alison Brown Quintet at Intuition Ale Works.

Guest:

• Alison Brown, Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, composer and co-founder of the Compass Records Group.

And, after an embarrassing loss to the Texans in Houston last week, the Jaguars pulled off an impressive win at Everbank Stadium on Sunday, defeating the Chargers 35-6. We recap the game, highlighting Josh Hines-Allen's record-breaking play and what's next for the team as they face off against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 23 with a growing roster of injured players.

Guest:

• Alessandra Pontbriand, sportscaster for WJXT News4Jax.

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

• Jacksonville leaders approve emergency funds for a food bank as the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history shreds SNAP assistance.
• A Jacksonville city councilman calls for an investigation into the city’s telehealth program, citing fraud claims the health provider dubs “entirely false.”
• Florida is on track to more than double the state’s record of annual executions, well outpacing the rest of the country. 
• A local lawmaker proposes schoolteachers take an oath to the Constitution in order to work in Florida classrooms.
• A Beach Boulevard grocery store pulls back on a request for a small-scale slaughterhouse after community pushback.

Guests:

• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at News4Jax.
• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union.
• Anthony Austin, anchor at First Coast News.
• Robin Lumb, former Jacksonville City Council member.

And, it’s a tradition here at WJCT Public Media and public media organizations across the country to collect cold-weather clothing and items for those who need them most during the holiday season. The 23rd Annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive honors the legacy of Fred Rogers, who hosted the beloved PBS children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for more than two decades. The community can drop off new or gently used sweaters, jackets and blankets, along with new socks and underwear, at WJCT Public Media headquarters at 100 Festival Park Ave., participating VyStar Credit Union branches, Suddath Cos. locations and all Tom Bush Family of Dealerships businesses until Nov. 30. All donations will be distributed to neighbors in need at the Clara White Mission and City Rescue Mission.

Guests:

• Darren Cook, vice president of consumer sales, The Suddath Cos.
• Paul Stasi, CEO and executive director, City Rescue Mission.
• Kemal Gasper, vice president of community engagement, VyStar Credit Union.

As artificial intelligence floods the workplace, from mimetic cover letters and chatbot interviews to automation and mass displacement, it can be increasingly tempting to focus on how best to wield — or even master — the technology. But an AI strategist who works in Northeast Florida says fear of being outpaced is pushing many to compete, rather than refine what they’re best at: being human. Ahead of her TEDxJacksonville keynote address, she discusses how workers can become indispensable instead of obsolete.

Guest:

• Svetlana Makarova, TEDxJacksonville keynote speaker, AI strategist at Mayo Clinic, founder of Spark Change.

Then, a longtime early childhood educator known by students as “Mrs. T” was recently named Preschool Educator of the Year by the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children. Kerstin Teutonico has more than 30 years' experience in the classroom and is known for her intentional and thoughtful approach to teaching. We ask her about how balance and structure in the classroom helps cultivate young minds and why her approach led to statewide recognition.

Guest:

• Kerstin Teutonico, junior kindergarten teacher, Jewish Community Alliance.

And, a pirate party might seem a strange choice for seafarers. But the International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville is all-in celebrating briny bandits, with a Pirate Party Fundraiser in honor of the nonprofit’s 95-year anniversary. The event, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, is held aboard the USS Orleck and features a pirate costume contest, live music and coastal-inspired hors d’oeuvres. We sit down with the group’s leaders, who say the event is more than a party, but a celebration of the maritime industry.

Guests:

• Linda Carrion, president, International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville.
• Liz Miller, director, International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville.

From the city’s response to missing SNAP benefits, to mounting criticism over the cost of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's autonomous shuttle system, we ask the mayor about the latest city headlines. She also responds to a council member's fraud allegations about the city's telehealth provider and shares her thoughts about the former mayor's criticism of her administration.

Guest:

• Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.

Then, an accidental discovery of AI bias led one local student to national recognition. Eighth grader Peter Fernández Dulay was goofing around with his sister using an AI image generator when they got a surprising response to a prompt for a “scientist.” The response? “All the images that showed up were of old, light-skinned men with frizzy gray hair. Not a single woman.” Peter chose to dig into why, and the result was ultimately taking home a $10,000 prize and a Department of Defense STEM Talent Award.

Guest:

• Peter Fernández Dulay, eighth grader, winner of Department of Defense junior innovator award.

And, shoppers can keep their holiday spending local and simultaneously support First Coast artists at the First Coast Cultural Center's 34th annual Holiday Shoppes event. We preview the artists on display and discuss the organization's three-decade history of boosting art and culture in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Guests:

• Silvia Romero, senior operations director, First Coast Cultural Center.
• Kimberly Sheridan, fundraising manager, First Coast Cultural Center.

Twenty-two years after Art Walk began with a vision of defibrillating Downtown, big changes are in the works. The agency that manages the monthly first Wednesday event, Downtown Vision Inc., has begun charging a $45 fee to all participating vendors, not just those in James Weldon Johnson Park, as it previously did. Some vendors fear being priced out. Others feel they’re being pushed out. And still others say they understand the rationale behind the new fees. We talk to foundational creators and current artists about how Art Walk has changed and what the event might look like in the months and years to come.

Guests:

• Mal Jones, emcee, host of The Lyricist Live.
• Tony Allegretti, co-founder, First Wednesday Art Walk.
• Sherry Shine, owner, Sherika Originals Handcrafted Gifts.
• Michael Taylor, aka “Animus,” artist.

Then, a World War II love story in honor of Veteran’s Day. Author Larry Schnell tells the true story of a couple who sent love letters during wartime via secret code. Schnell, a former reporter for the Florida Times-Union and journalism professor at the University of Florida, uncovered the cache of letters hidden in his parents’ attic. A few years later, he also located the key to deciphering the code, which allowed his father to secretly communicate his location as he traveled the world as a Coast Guard sailor.

Guest:

•  Larry Schnell, author, A Sailor’s Song: Lost Love Letters of World War II.

And, they ain’t sisters, but they are a wild mix of musical influences, from Prince to Shovels and Rope. We talk to the band Aint Sisters ahead of their Jacksonville show on Friday at Intuition Aleworks’ Bier Hall.

Guest:

• Barb Carbon, acoustic guitar, vocals, Aint Sisters.
• Arrie Bozeman, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals, Aint Sisters.

An urban farmer in Springfield says it shouldn’t be this hard to feed the community fresh, healthy food. But local ordinances and the farmer’s goals for the property have created a zoning problem more complex than city codes can accommodate. We discuss what is and is not permitted when it comes to community gardening, along with legal efforts to change and clarify the current framework.

Guests:

• Nathan Ballentine, founder of Overalls Farm. 
• Tyler Grant, president of the SPAR Council board of directors.
• Laureen Husband, director of Project One Health Springfield.

Then, Northeast Florida’s foster care prevention system has an urgent need for 16 host families and 27 mentors, proof of growing demand throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties. We ask the region’s faith-based coordinator about the need for short-term homes for children and talk to two experienced volunteer host parents about what it takes, and what it gives back.

Guests:

• Dr. Standralyn Terry, Northeast Florida executive director of Better Together. 
• Tiffani and William Lancaster, volunteer host family for Better Together.

And, the Jaguars fell to the Texans in Houston on Sunday after blowing a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter. We get local expertise on what went so wrong and how the team’s performance stacks up at the NFL season’s midpoint.

Guest:

• Alessandra Pontbriand, sportscaster for WJXT News4Jax.

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

• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority boosts ridership by enlisting employees to hop on board. 
• Locals respond to help those shut out by the government shutdown. 
• Duval County Schools Superintendent Chris Bernier pushes back on charter expansion. 

Guests:

• Emily Turner, Action News Jax anchor and investigative reporter.
• Nikesha Williams, author and producer of the Black & Published podcast.
• Mike Mendenhall, City Hall reporter and associate editor at Jacksonville Today.
• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union.

And, from “dirt roads and citrus groves” to modern-day Mandarin. It’s an evolution the Mandarin Garden Club has both witnessed and helped shape. As the storied civic beautification club celebrates 80 years, we talk to some of the leaders and historians about the challenges the organization has faced and the many victories that have helped preserve the area’s charm — and iconic trees.

Guests:

• Marvine Thompson, president, Mandarin Garden Club.
• Sandra Varner, first vice president, Mandarin Garden Club.
• Jessie Hillard, circle leader, Mandarin Garden Club.

It’s a small town that seemingly has everything going for it: It is a transportation hub, the namesake of one of the best tasting native foods in the state and home to two iconic seafood restaurants. It also has plans for a world renowned shark research facility, and it's next door to the region’s largest employer: the U.S. military. But plans to revitalize tiny Mayport Village remain largely in the planning stages. We talk about it ahead of a community conversation on the future of the village, Nov. 12 at the Gulliford Community Center.

Guests:

• Nancy Powell, executive director, Scenic Jacksonville.
• Georgette Dumont, associate professor at the University of North Florida and founder of Civic Solutions.
• Bill Gulliford, board member, Mayport Waterfront Partnership.

Then, if history is an early warning system, as the saying goes, the present must be triggering alarm bells. At least that’s what some might think. But professor and performer Greg Jackson takes the long view. The creator of the History That Doesn’t Suck podcast believes we can learn more about the present from the first 100 years of American history than all the news headlines combined. We spoke to him about making a podcast that doesn’t suck ahead of his Saturday show at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.

Guest:

• Professor Greg Jackson, creator and host of the History That Doesn't Suck podcast.

And, a local take on George Gershwin’s final show. Porgy and Bess tells the story of a star-crossed couple battling physical disabilities, inner demons and drug addiction, and includes some of the most iconic songs in the American Songbook, from Summertime to A Woman Is A Sometime Thing. The folk opera takes the stage Friday and Saturday at Stage Aurora.

Guests:

• Patrice Pates Eaton, actor playing Maria.
• Kenneithia Mitchell, actor playing Bess.
• Miguel Angel Vasquez, actor playing Crown.