First Coast Connect

At least 34 children sent to the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna ended up on the state’s death row. So did 16 others from the equally troubled Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee. Between the two cohorts, they collectively murdered at least 114 people. A recent report by The Marshall Project uncovered the link and examines whether the abuse they endured may have played a role in their crimes. We talk to the lawyer who brought the original class action lawsuit to stop abuse at the two schools, along with a local death penalty attorney about our evolving understanding of the effect of childhood trauma and whether that knowledge might have changed outcomes of their capital cases.

Guests:

• Alan Chipperfield, director of capital division, Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Claudia Wright, former attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Prison Project; lead attorney in the “Bobby M” class action lawsuit brought against Dozier, Okeechobee and the Alyce McPherson School in Ocala.

Then, as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like floods and wildfires increase, the need for local volunteers to join aid efforts is more urgent than ever. The Shelter Hero campaign, an initiative launched by the American Red Cross, provides training to community members able to provide food, shelter and hope to those affected by disaster. The next Shelter Heroes training will be Aug. 15 at the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter Office.

Guests:

• Donna McNair, disaster workforce engagement manager, American Red Cross of North Florida.
• Mary Ann Giannini, community disaster program manager, American Red Cross of North Florida.

And, the signature local storytelling event and WJCT podcast Untold Stories wraps up its fourth season. Performers keep oral storytelling traditions alive by sharing personal narratives centered around the event’s theme, “Root.” The finale of Untold Stories’ fourth season will be July 31 at the Florida Theatre.

Guests:

• Barbara Colaciello, artistic director and host of Untold Stories.
• Mark Creegan, artist, songwriter and Untold Stories participant. 

Seven teachers removed for misconduct from a single arts magnet school in just the past 2½ years. A total of 13 who left under a cloud of suspicion and allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior. So what’s the problem at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts? We talk to the reporter behind a yearlong probe into the cascade of sexual misconduct allegations that plagued the school, and why neither the school’s leadership nor the district’s response was able to stem the tide.

Guest:

• Megan Mallicoat, education reporter at Jacksonville Today. 

Then, as Northeast Florida’s housing crisis intensifies, one housing nonprofit is expanding its reach. The newly rebranded Habijax (now First Coast Habitat for Humanity) welcomes a new leader and occupies a broader footprint, now serving Duval, Nassau and Baker counties. We sit down with the organization's chief to discuss how funding uncertainty affects the agency’s work and why community involvement is more critical than ever.

• Chris Folds, interim CEO, First Coast Habitat for Humanity.

And, Jax Podcasters United partners with WJCT Public Media at the inaugural Jax Podcast Camp on July 31. The half-day event is designed to help both aspiring and established podcasters connect, learn and leverage legacy media outlets, including public media, to expand their reach — and reach their goals. Attendees can expect hands-on workshops focused on podcast production, promotion and market analytics, along with a town hall style Q&A and a networking after-party.

• Badr Milligan, co-founder of Jax Podcasters United.
• Blythe Milligan, co-founder of Jax Podcasters United.
• Letisha Bereola, director of podcasting at WJCT Public Media.

From Republican support for Alligator Alcatraz to growing outrage over a viral traffic stop video, our Friday media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics:

• The community, sheriff and governor respond to growing outrage over a viral video, even as the motorist punched by a police officer announces plans to sue. 
• Florida Republicans favor Donald Trump, Alligator Alcatraz and eliminating property taxes, according to a new University of North Florida poll. 

To talk about all that and more, we’re joined by our panel of journalists:

• Will Brown, race and poverty reporter at Jacksonville Today.
• Frank Powers, former assignment manager at WJXT News4Jax.
• Tricia Booker, author and journalism professor at the University of North Florida.
• Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant. 

Then, at a time of increased need, we discuss ways you can support public media and maximize your donation with a dollar-for-dollar match. Please call (904) 353-9528 or visit wjct.org/sustain to support First Coast Connect and all the programming offered at WJCT Public Media.

• Stacey Bennett, talk shows producer, WJCT.
• David Luckin, station manager and Electro Lounge host, WJCT.

From a simple cheek swab to a potentially lifesaving donation. Local news anchor Anthony Austin joined the National Marrow Donor Program 17 years ago when covering a story about a girl in Texas with leukemia. In April, he got the call and agreed to donate to a stranger with the same illness. We ask him why he decided to get involved and what the process has entailed.

Guest:

• Anthony Austin, evening anchor at First Coast News.

Then, inviting Eastside natives back to the neighborhood. We talk to the new president and CEO of LIFT JAX about a milestone in their partnership with LISC Jacksonville. LISC's homeownership program, Project Boots, is part of what the nonprofit calls “within-trification” — an effort to help the historic OutEast area grow and prosper from the inside, without suffering the loss of community and generational wealth that often attends gentrification. LIFT JAX has provided down payment assistance in the past but has stepped into the role of developer on this latest project.

Guests:

• Ivy Henderson, Project Boots homeowner program participant.
• LIFT JAX President and CEO Travis Williams.

Plus, sharks in the St. Johns? We talk to Jacksonville University marine scientists about their recent discovery near the Buckman Bridge of a bull shark with an umbilical cord scar — a telltale sign of its birth and an indicator that the river may be a breeding ground for the species. It’s not necessarily a good sign. Bull shark populations are booming, in part due to climate change and the expansion of warmer, saltier marine environments.

Guests:

• Dr. Brian Franks, associate professor of biology at Jacksonville University.
• Vinny Migliore Jr., marine science graduate student at Jacksonville University.

How changing immigration policies are making it tougher for employers to comply with the law. We talk to a local economist and immigration expert about how companies are responding in an uncertain labor market. We will also discuss how immigration policies are affecting higher ed’s bottom line and why declining immigration might actually hurt the job market.

Guest:

• Madeline Zavodny, University of North Florida professor of economics and geography.

From managing domestic responsibilities to adapting to civilian life after military service, female veterans face unique challenges when entering the civilian workforce. A veteran shares her own experience joining the workforce and sheds light on how veteran-focused organizations like Northeast Florida Women Veterans support career transitions.

Guests:

• Amanda Conley, therapist and licensed social worker, Northeast Florida Women Veterans. 
• Issis Alvarez, program director for the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

Then, a trafficking recovery nonprofit celebrates a milestone. We discuss what’s on tap for Rethreaded’s 14th birthday celebration with the group’s founder. A party/fundraiser gets underway at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rethreaded’s HQ, 515 E 9th St., and includes art installations, food and a chance to get a first look at what the nonprofit calls "a secret entrepreneurial project" that can be purchased only at the Rethreaded store.

Guest:

• Kristen Keen, founder and CEO of Rethreaded.

And, Stage Aurora Theatrical Company presents Dinner with Booker T, a one-man show featuring 16 characters drawn from Booker T. Washington’s autobiography, Up From Slavery. The sometimes controversial writer and thinker is the center of this production, staged Sunday at WJCT Studios, 100 Festival Park Ave.

Guest:

• Darryl Reuben Hall, executive director of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company.

A viral video released Sunday shows a Jacksonville sheriff’s officer shattering a motorist’s window and hitting him in the face, before pulling him from the car and punching him again. On Monday, Sheriff TK Waters responded publicly, saying the police body cam tells a very different story. We ask the sheriff about the video, the resulting blowback and the investigation that still lies ahead.

Guest:

• Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.

Then, we talk to two former JSO officers about what the viral video shows — and doesn’t show — as well as why the police report doesn’t mention the physical assault and what kind of administrative punishment the officer might face. The motorist has retained prominent civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and Ben Crump. The sheriff says an internal investigation is underway.

Guests:

• Tom Hackney, former director, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
• Kim Varner, retired police detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

From crowd control efforts being planned for Nights of Lights to a loss of federal funding for resilience efforts, we catch up on the latest headlines out of St. Johns County. Among the stories making headlines in July, St. Augustine officials officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, the same definition the state of Florida has codified into law. And residents of Vilano’s North Beach neighborhood look at ways to move forward after congressman John Rutherford rescinds his support for a floodwall.

Guest:

• Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter with Jacksonville Today.

Then, an arts education program brings the Broadway experience to Jacksonville students. Don’t Miss A Beat’s visiting artist series pairs young performers with professional singers, actors and dancers for stage training. Their upcoming student production, Disney’s The Lion King Jr., will take place July 24 and 26 at the Ritz Theatre & Museum.

Guests:

• Ulysses Owens Jr., artistic director at Don’t Miss a Beat.
• Jay Ricca, actor playing Simba.
• Isaiah Mack, actor playing Scar. 
• Mckinley Taylor, lead dancer, lioness.

And, showcasing local talent through comedy. The LOL JAX Film Festival returns for its ninth year with a mission to spread joy and celebrate Jacksonville filmmakers, actors and comedians. The two-day event kicks off Aug. 2 at WJCT Studios and also features live music, food trucks and vendors.

Guest:

• Monique Madrid, director of the LOL JAX Film Festival.

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

• A Jacksonville-based consulting firm gets a $78 million contract at “Alligator Alcatraz” amid concerns about human rights violations and wasteful spending.  
• A Jacksonville City Council member is ousted from his sole committee as local lawmakers begin to weigh the mayor’s budget and possible property tax cuts.
• Jacksonville Beach residents say short-term rentals are driving up housing costs and driving families out of the community. 
• Entrance fee hikes reveal signs of financial strain at national parks, even as new anti DEI policies urge parkgoers to “snitch” on noncompliant signage.

Guests:

• Mark Woods, columnist at The Florida Times-Union.
• Jack Webb, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council president.
• Tiffany Salameh, consumer investigative reporter at WJXT News4Jax.
• Jake Stofan, reporter at Action News Jax.

Then, what began as a birthday party in 2012 has transformed into an annual community gathering that is both a dance party and a networking event.

Attendees are asked to sport their most fashionable T-shirts and socks. Fly Socks & Tees kicks off at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Emerald Station.

Guest:

• Mr. Al Pete, founder of The MPN Network and host of the Saturday night radio show The Neighborhood on WJCT 89.9 FM.

Calling her proposed budget not just “balanced,” but “urgent,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan exhorted the City Council to approve her plan and maintain municipal “momentum.” In the budget proposal unveiled Monday, Deegan is seeking about $50 million more than she asked for last fiscal year (a request the council reduced by nearly $140 million). As promised, it contains few surprises, focusing on many of the same things she campaigned on and emphasized in her first term:  public safety, health care, housing and infrastructure.

Guest:

• Local attorney and government expert Chris Hand.

And, whether you love perusing old Duval County school yearbooks, listening to audiobooks for free, or just checking out the scale model of the Great Fire of 1901, the Jacksonville library meets a broad range of extant needs. This week, the library needs you. Friends of the Library are invited to fill up on low-priced used books to support their favorite public institution. We explain how you can participate and what kind of records, DVDs and books of all kinds are available. The event runs Thursday through Saturday at the nonprofit Friends of the Library headquarters at 3435 University Blvd.

Guests:

• David Smith, president, Friends of Jacksonville Public Library.

The last several weeks produced a slew of stunning Supreme Court decisions affecting everything from education to mass firings and deportations. We ask two legal experts to help us drink from the firehose, breaking down decisions ranging from the court's refusal to allow enforcement of Florida's immigration law to rulings affecting LGBTQ health care and military service. We also discuss the rapid expansion of the court's emergency docket and the increasingly personal tone of majority decisions and minority dissents.

Guests:

• Bryan Gowdy, appellate attorney at Creed & Gowdy.
• Courtney Barclay, associate dean of academic and faculty affairs at Jacksonville University.

Then, as parts of the First Coast continue to see regular inundation from rainfall and others are steeling for peak hurricane season, flooding has become an unfortunate part of our local (and national) lexicon. Reducing the risk is the focus of many local experts, looking at everything from the vital role of wetlands and floodplains in absorbing stormwater, to the way stormwater systems react to compound flooding during severe weather. A local flooding expert delves into the science behind the rising waters.

Guest:

• Corinne Hermle, strategic planning basin coordinator for the St. Johns River Water Management District.

And, whether you witnessed their punk heyday three decades ago, followed their post-punk evolution in the aughts, or just caught one of their (semi)annual Christmas reunion shows at Jack Rabbits, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the lads from Inspection 12 at some point in your Jacksonville music lifetime. If not, here’s your chance: The band will perform a record release show for their new album, Are We There Yet?, on Saturday at The Albatross (formerly Underbelly) in Downtown Jacksonville.

Guests:

• Pete Mosely, guitarist and singer, Inspection 12.
• Jeremy Baker, bassist, Inspection 12.