First Coast Connect

The federal government’s recent announcement it will phase out the use of private prisons has relaunched the debate over their use in Florida. On First Coast Connect Thursday, host Melissa Ross was joined by columnist and former State Senator Paula Dockery to talk about the issue. Ross also spoke with Jeff Clayton, policy director of the American Bail Coalition about a Georgia Court case that could change the way bail is set across the country. We also heard from Rory Diamond with K9’s for

After an historic primary election night, host Melissa Ross was joined by University of North Florida professor Mike Binder, Florida Politics reporter A.G. Gancarski and the Times-Union’s David Bauerlein to discuss the results. Also, Jacksonville City Council member and Finance Committee Chair Anna Brosche spoke about the city’s budget. In the second half of the show, ahead of a tropical system heading toward the area, we heard from Servpro President Bryce Clark and we also spoke about our

It’s Florida primary election day. We heard from WJCT’s Ryan Benk from a local voting precinct to see how the day was going. Host Melissa Ross spoke with local officials about how Duval County is battling mosquito-borne viruses. We also heard from GlobalJax about their upcoming fundraiser, “Wines of the World,” and the latest issue of Flamingo Magazine features an interview with Jacksonville musician J.J. Grey. We spoke with publisher Jamie Rich.

KIPP Executive Director Tom Majdanics and Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein discussed Tuesday’s vote on Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s pension funding referendum. Melissa Ross also spoke with promoter Ray Lewis about the Listening Room at Mudville Grill and author Lou Aguilar discussed his new book, “Jake for Mayor.”

Our Friday Media Roundtable featured discussion about the Harvard study that sharply criticizes Duval County for the number of convicts it sends to death row, they also looked at the latest University of North Florida poll. The SHARE and SEED Academy is performing “The Wiz” on Saturday and we heard about the “Sing Out Loud Festival” kicking off Friday night in St. Augustine.

Assistant state attorneys Bernie de la Rionda and Mark Caliel defended their department Thursday against accusations they send too many convicts to death row. Melissa Ross also spoke to Jacksonville attorney April Greer about the use of the Hague Convention in local courts and we heard from Christopher Heacox, the director of Opening Nights Performing Arts at Florida State University about an upcoming performance by the 5 Browns.

Former Jacksonville City Council presidents Bill Bishop and Stephen Joost joined host Melissa Ross to discuss why they oppose Mayor Lenny Curry’s pension proposal. We also heard from tutor Michelle Kaiser about the importance of communication between a student’s parents and their teachers, and local charity Dignity U Wear has launched a new challenge to help clothe school children living in poverty.

Florida Politics and Folio Weekly writer A.G. Gancarski talked with Melissa Ross Tuesday about next week’s primary election. Tobacco Free Florida has a new program to help people quit smoking, WJCT-TV is helping teens become successful adults and it’s time for “Wine, Women and Shoes” to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.

St. Johns County Commissioner and Florida 4th District Congressional candidate Bill McClure appeared Monday with Melissa Ross on First Coast Connect ahead of next week’s primary election. We also spoke with transgender Jacksonville resident Denise Iondoli who is the subject of the latest video produced by local advocacy group “We Are Straight Allies.”

Our Friday Media Roundtable discusses this week’s political debates, there’s an upcoming fundraiser for Nemours Children’s Hospital and comedian Pablo Francisco stops by First Coast Connect.