Less than a year after furious residents defeated the DeSantis’ administration’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which would have allowed golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels in state parks, state officials were prepared to sign off on another stinker. With less than a week’s notice, news leaked about a proposed land swap in St. Johns County — supported by the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of State Lands — that would have traded 600 acres in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area for a patchwork of conservation lands across four counties. The backlash included President Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who called the proposal “outrageous.” The uproar prompted St. Augustine Republican Rep. Kim Kendall to draft legislation to prevent similar attempts in the future. We ask her about that and the upcoming legislative session, along with St. Johns County beat reporter Noah Hertz.

Guests:

• State Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine
• Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter at Jacksonville Today

Then, remembering the lives lost to homelessness. Each year, around the Winter Solstice, communities commemorate unhoused individuals who've died that year. Jacksonville’s service is held at the City Rescue Mission. According to Dawn Gilman of Changing Homelessness: “The annual memorial is a moment to reflect, grieve and to recommit ourselves to the work of creating a community where no one is left behind. Every name we read represents a life of inherent value, and we are steadfast in our mission to provide hope, stability and dignity to our neighbors experiencing homelessness." We talk to two organizers about the event and why remembering is most important for the least of us.

Guests:

• Ywana Allen, chief public affairs officer, Changing Homelessness
• Paul Stasi, executive director, City Rescue Mission

And, the annual How the Big Band Stole Christmas returns to the stage in Amelia Island for its 11th year. Featuring more than 30 dancers, singers and professional musicians, the lively event has become a holiday classic for those living in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. The six-show performance is presented by Crescendo Amelia & The Florida Music Academy for Amelia Community Theatre.

Guests:  

• Dennis Negrin, bandleader and trumpeter, Crescendo Amelia, and co-producer, How the Big Band Stole Christmas
• Theo Canty, featured vocalist, How the Big Band Stole Christmas