First Coast Connect

In his sweeping new history of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Jacksonville native and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Kevin Sack explores the deep roots of resistance and racial justice that defined the congregation in Charleston, South Carolina, before and after the tragic mass shooting. His acclaimed new book, Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness, released in early June, was described as “a masterpiece." The New York Times Book Review calls it “a dense, rich, captivating narrative, featuring vivid prose, prodigious research and a palpable emotional engagement that is disciplined by a meticulous attention to the facts,” adding that Sack’s “excavation is an essential addition to existing histories and ought to be recognized as a singular journalistic performance.”

Guest:

• Kevin Sack, veteran journalist and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes. Sack spent 30 years on the staff of The New York Times, where he was a senior writer, and worked previously for the Los Angeles Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His work also has been featured in The New York Times Magazine.

Then, with only five years of formal training under his belt, piano virtuoso Mark Magyar is already making waves in the classical music world. From a Carnegie Hall performance to an upcoming competition in Vienna, the young pianist — also a self-taught pipe organist — is building an impressive résumé of recitals and accolades. We talk to the Douglas Anderson piano student about musical exploration, what drives his passion and the importance of classical music.

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

• Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoes a controversial immigration ordinance, and a divided council backs her decision.
• A man who sued the State Attorney’s Office over public records is ordered to pay tens of thousands in legal fees.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis eyes a Clay County National Guard facility as another immigrant detention site, even as construction commences on “Alligator Alcatraz.” 
• St. Johns County residents cry foul, filing suit against a neighborhood sludge spreader.

Guests:

• Mike Mendenhall, City Hall reporter and associate editor at Jacksonville Today.
• Dan Scanlan, reporter at WJCT.
• Robin Lumb, former Jacksonville City Council member.

Then, Alhambra Theatre’s upcoming stage production serves up “pure imagination.” The musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel of the same name and tells the story of a young boy who unexpectedly embarks on a transformational journey through a candy factory. Performances begin June 26 and run through Aug. 17.

Guests

• Jonathan Van Dyke, actor playing Willy Wonka. 
• Jake Ayres, actor playing Charlie.
• Shain Stroff, director.

With a hard-won state budget on the governor’s desk, what First Coast projects hang in the balance? We talk with local attorney and government expert Chris Hand about what’s gained and what could still be lost with the governor’s pen poised for line-item vetos.

Guest:

• Chris Hand, Jacksonville attorney, co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual.

Then, summer is the busiest season for animal shelters as intake soars and adoption rates plummet. In response, the Jacksonville Humane Society is teaming up with shelters across Florida for a statewide adoption initiative Saturday and Sunday. The Petco Love Florida Mega Pet Adoption Event will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and will feature over 500 kittens, puppies, cats and dogs in need of homes.

Guest:

• Lawrence Nicolas, CEO, Jacksonville Humane Society.

A well-known name in local politics, business and journalism tries his hand at fiction. We’ll sit down with Abel Harding ahead of the release of his debut novel, Last Time I’ll Ask, a tale of Jacksonville politics, interpersonal conflict and personal discovery. Harding will appear at a book signing and author chat at The BookMark in Neptune Beach at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Guest:

• Abel Harding, author of Last Time I’ll Ask.

Then, defying the boundaries of tradition, Robert Rauschenberg has been described as a “pioneer of postmodern art” obscuring the distinction between art and everyday life. His work is currently featured at MOCA, in celebration of his 100th birthday.

Guest:

• Ylva Rouse, senior curator at MOCA.

And, a Jacksonville student is working to make mental health care more accessible — both on college campuses and around the world. We talk with Nora Sun, winner of the Jed Foundation’s 2025 Student Voice of Mental Health Award, about her organization, Mercuri.world. Her startup uses online platforms to breach linguistic and financial divides, bringing mental health services to remote cultures around the world.

Guests:

• Nora Sun, CEO of Mercuri.world, recipient of the Jed Foundation’s 2025 Student Voice of Mental Health Award.
• Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, chief medical officer of the Jed Foundation.

Plus, it’s the beginning of the end — before a new beginning. Jacksonville's Museum of Science & History prepares to close its Southbank museum ahead of its eventual relocation to new digs across the river. As it begins to wind down operations, the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium will host a final live music night with indie space-rock locals Skyview. Our resident spaceman gives us a preview in his monthly interplanetary touchdown.

Guest:

• Eddie Whisler, planetarium director at the Museum of Science & History.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will formally vote in August on whether to sanction a black bear hunt this December. With an affirmative vote all but certain, we examine what the first hunt in a decade might look like, and how it will differ from a much-criticized 2015 hunt. We also discussed what role the state’s first-ever fatal bear attack in May may have played in building public support for staging another controversial hunt.

Guest: Adam Sugalski, executive director of OneProtest

Then, we talked about the challenges unhoused kids face and a St. Augustine program offering them a hand up. The organizers of the upcoming Keys of Hope gala say it will help finance the shelter, stability and outreach offered through Port in the Storm.

Guests:

• Joy Case, director of development, St. Augustine Society
• Kate Batzel, special events coordinator, St. Augustine Society

And, Sporting JAX offered a big reveal on today's show: two upcoming international friendlies against Wrexham A.F.C. and Hibernian F.C. The games set the table for the USL Superleague's inaugural season. In addition, Sporting JAX Foundation’s “I’m IN” soccer series offers rising 6-12th graders—regardless of experience or skill level—training with local instructors, including former UNF and JU head soccer Coach Mike Johnson. The weekly clinics, open to student athletes facing financial barriers, are held every Saturday through July 26.

Guests:

• Tony Allegretti, chief community officer, Sporting Club Jacksonville
• Mike Johnson, clinic director, Sporting JAX Foundation