First Coast Connect

Medicaid Expansion A new survey shows where Florida voters stand on the issue of expanding the Medicaid pool to the state’s low-income residents. The Texas Medical Center’s Health Policy Institute poll finds 68 percent of Florida voters are in favor of Medicaid expansion and 71 percent would vote for a candidate in favor of Medicaid expansion. We discuss the results with Dr. Arthur (Tim) Garson, director of the TMC Health Policy Institute.

State Attorney and Public Defender Races A new UNF poll of likely voters in Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit shows the potential for turnover in the State Attorney and Public Defender offices. Both Angela Corey and Matt Shirk are trailing their respective challengers in those races, Melissa Nelson and Charles Cofer. Mike Binder, director of UNF's Public Opinion Research Laboratory, joins us to discuss the results of the survey.

Chasing the Dream The deplorable conditions at the local low-income housing project Eureka Gardens captured national headlines when it came to light residents were living with dangerous mold, leaky gas pipes, and dilapidated stairs.

Media Roundtable We discuss the week's biggest news stories with our roundtable of local journalists: Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union columnist; Claire Goforth, Folio Weekly editor; Tim Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal editor; and WJCT News analyst John Burr. Topics include the controversy surrounding a recent Florida Times-Union profile of City Councilman Reginald Gaffney and his nonprofit Community Rehabilitation Center, a new poll showing Marco Rubio neck-and-neck with Democrat Patrick

Haroon Moghul The deadly attack on Turkey’s Ataturk International Airport claimed the lives of more than 40 people in Istanbul, just weeks after a similar attack killed 49 at a gay Orlando nightclub. But where the Orlando massacre spurred an outpouring of support from communities around the world, the response to three suicide bombers detonating devices in Istanbul seems muted. Although yet to be confirmed, Turkish officials say the self-proclaimed Islamic State or Daesh terror group is

North Florida Land Trust The North Florida Land Trust is launching an ambitious project to conserve more land in North Florida. The nonprofit is planning to create a 112,000 acre "Preservation Portfolio" of land they say is in critical need of preservation. This includes territory in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. The estimated cost of purchasing the acreage is $216 million. Jim McCarthy, executive director of the North Florida Land Trust, joins us to discuss the

LGBT Acceptance Survey A new survey from the national LGBT rights advocacy group GLAAD finds growing acceptance for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community across the country, even in the traditionally more conservative southern states. However, other indicators in the "Accelerating Acceptance" survey show that complacency may be setting in for some LGBT allies. We discuss the survey, media representation of LGBT citizens, and local efforts for LGBT rights with Dan Merkan, chair of

Chasing the Dream The deplorable conditions at the local low-income housing project Eureka Gardens captured national headlines when it came to light residents were living with dangerous mold, leaky gas pipes, and dilapidated stairs. But those conditions aren’t unique to that complex. Many local, low-income residents deal with these conditions every day. For poor people in Jacksonville, finding housing that’s both affordable and livable can be hard to come by. Finding shelter often means settling

Media Roundtable We discuss the week's biggest news stories with our roundtable of local journalists: Tessa Duvall, Florida Times-Union reporter; Fred Matthews, Examiner blogger; Claire Goforth, Folio Weekly editor; and Tim Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal editor. Topics include the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, Marco Rubio's announcement that he will run for reelection in the Senate, and more.

Paula Bartlett Paula Bartlett, Democratic candidate for Duval County Clerk of Courts, joins us to discuss her decision to challenge incumbent Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell. After the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last year, Fussell ended all courthouse weddings. Bartlett says that one of her top priorities is to reinstate those marriage ceremonies.