First Coast Connect

Thursday on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke by phone with St. Augustine resident Bill Hamilton from the Environmental Youth Council about its event Sunday, Earth2Trump. We also spoke with international field educator and founder of Global Workshop Matt Colaciello about a panel discussion he is moderating Saturday on climate change.

Wednesday on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with Darnell Smith from Jax Chamber and Pastor R. L. Gundy about the latest attempt to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to include the LGBT community. We also heard from Voices of Hope programming chair Rebecca Rejtman Bennett and Museum of Science and History curator Paul Bourcier about a new exhibit about Anne Frank and our Going Green segment highlighted Melissa Beaudry of Fleet Farming.

Tuesday on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with new 4th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Charles Cofer. He spoke about some of the changes he had and will make in the office. First Coast Connect book club leader Stacey Golding talked about her favorite Leo Tolstoy novels. Dr. Robert Cywes from Jacksonville Surgical Associates joined us to talk about programs to help diabetes patients control their weight, and Tito Sosa of Water Me Green told us about his upcoming event with Green Drinks Jax.

Monday on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke by phone with public pension expert Bob Klausner about how some other cities around the country are dealing with their pension problems. We also heard from Lourdes Norman-McKay, professor of biological sciences at FSCJ and Dr. Pauline Rolle from the Duval County Health Department about an upcoming TEDxFSCJ talk exploring the role vaccines play in public health. WJCT contributor Cole Pepper also brought us the latest news on the Jaguars’ search for a head

Friday on “First Coast Connect,” our first Media Roundtable of the year. Our panel included Claire Goforth from Folio Weekly, Florida Times-Union reporter David Bauerlein, WJCT Business analyst John Burr and WJCT reporter Ryan Benk. We also heard from the founder of The Center for Sustainable Agricultural Education and Conservation Angela TenBroeck and bandleader and violinist for the Sultans of Swing Chris McKhool joined us by phone to talk about their latest CD “Subcontinental Drift” and an

Thursday on “First Coast Connect,” we were joined by Jacksonville Transportation Authority Vice President of Long Range Planning and System Development Brad Thoburn to discuss plans to extend the Skyway. Local environmental activist Josh Weber spoke about his opposition to the proposed Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline and we hear a live in-studio performance by local bluegrass band Grandpa’s Cough Medicine.

Wednesday on “First Coast Connect,” John O’Brien, CEO of Vista Energy Group and a member of the public administration faculty of Flagler College, joined the show to talk about how jobs could be affected by trade and automation in the Trump era. Lutheran Services Florida Executive Director LaTanya Wynn-Hall talked about enrollment in the organization’s Head Start program, and Players by the Sea Marketing Director Kris Jackson and actress Kristin Walsh joined us to talk about the play “Eurydice ,”

Tuesday on First Coast Connect, we discussed making financial New Year’s resolutions with Cheryl Barnett, senior vice president at First Tennessee Bank. We were joined on the phone by Laurence Cotton who served as principal researcher and consulting producer of the documentary “Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America.” Cotton will be in Jacksonville for a screening followed by a question and answer period of the film next week. Local Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members President Willetta Richie

Thursday on “First Coast Connect,” it was our final episode of 2016 with the annual year in review Media Roundtable with guest host Ryan Benk . Our panel included A.G. Gancarski from Florida Politics, Dan Scanlan from the Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Business Journal editor Timothy Gibbons, Folio Weekly editor Claire Goforth and WJCT business analyst John Burr. We also spoke with Harvard School of Public Health researcher Steve Gortmaker about the financial incentives Jacksonville could

Wednesday on “First Coast Connect,” guest host Jessica Palombo spoke with “Reveal” host Al Letson about an upcoming episode focusing on Jacksonville. We heard from Trauma One paramedics Chad McIntyre and J.D. Montgomery on their goal to train people to stop life-threatening bleeding. We spoke on the phone with the the co-directors of the PBS documentary “Meet the Patels ,” Ravi and Geeta Patel, and American Association of Retired Persons - Jacksonville field coordinator Justine Conley talked