Researchers are using underwater microphones to help better understand the extensive array of animals living in oyster reefs.(James Morrison/WUNC / NPR)

Can the decline of Florida’s oyster habitat serve as inspiration for jazz composers? We talk to an anthropologist harnessing the threat of climate change and student creativity to teach through music. Working with student composers at the University of South Florida, the project mastermind “uses the universal language of music” to convey the catastrophic impact of oyster habitat loss, overharvesting and pollution on the state’s fragile oyster reefs.

Guest:

• Heather O’Leary, professor of anthropology at the University of South Florida. 

Then, more than two years after the federal government launched a 24/7 crisis hotline, we talk to the local operators of 988 about how the First Coast community has received the service and whether the need has changed in that time. We also discuss how United Way is meeting funding demands in an increasingly difficult world for nonprofit organizations.

Guests:

• Coretta Hill, chief operating officer for United Way of Northeast Florida.
• Jason Kimmins, 988 training and operations supervisor.

And, how did the Jags fare against the Panthers on Sunday? We’ll talk about their first showing of the 2025 season and what it portends. The first regular season game came after a dismal 4-13 record last year, but with fresh starts including new Head Coach Liam Coen, new General Manager James Gladstone and the much anticipated performance of two-way player Travis Hunter.

Guest:

• Alessandra Pontbriand, sportscaster at WJXT News4Jax.

Plus, celebrating Indian culture through song, dance and nine days of religious observance. Garba & Dandiya are the two signature dances of the nine-day Navrati celebration, which begins in October. But the party gets rolling a little early at the Prime Osborn Convention Center with Bhoomi Trivedi, aka the “Queen of Garba," a popular Bollywood singer and runner-up on the Indian Idol program. The night will include performances of traditional Garba, folk, Bollywood, Sufi and Gujarati sugam sangeet music on Saturday.

Guests:

• Vijay Patel, Jax Indian Events.
• Hemant Patel, committee member with Jax Indian Events.