The assassination of a political firebrand has exposed — and reinforced — the power of the algorithm, as partisans and the apolitical alike are drawn into heated, often hateful debates. We talk to a local campus leader about how his group is working to bring civility to campus conversations. We also discuss how to do hard conversations right in an age of hyperpartisanship and zero-sum political thinking.

Guests:

• Gabriel James, Flagler College student, founder of Pathway America chapter at Flagler College.  
• Zuzanna Pankowski, strategic initiatives officer, Pathway America. 
• Michael Binder, political science professor at the University of North Florida.
• Elizabeth Andersen, CEO of OneJax.

Then, a 2023 report by the Florida Forest Service finds that trees are disappearing fast across the First Coast — and so are the benefits their canopies provide. In a discussion at WJCT Studios on Wednesday, “ADAPT: State of the Canopy” panelists will discuss the impacts that a depleted tree canopy has on the region and how to ensure the future of sufficient tree cover in Northeast Florida. If you want to see the tree canopy and planned projects where you live, you can search by neighborhood here.

Guests:

• Jessica Palombo, editor, Jacksonville Today.
• Lisa Grubba, executive director, Greenscape of Jacksonville.
• Jonathan Colborn, urban forestry manager, city of Jacksonville. 
• Joe Anderson, arborist and vegetative specialist at JEA.

And, a percussionist regarded as one of the world’s greatest conga players is coming to the First Coast. Grammy Award-winning percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, aka “Mañenguito,” is revered in musical circles for his hand-drumming technique, blending Latin jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms, and his professional CV includes sharing the stage with Dizzie Gilespie, Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, Mickey Hart, Paul Simon, Phish and Art Blakey. We sit down with Hidalgo ahead of his performance at The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Guest:

• Giovanni Hildago, Grammy Award-winning percussionist.