The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens receives one of the largest gifts in its history, a $3.5 million posthumous donation from longtime supporter Betsy Lovett. Also, questions are raised in a Jacksonville road rage shooting as the family of a well-known local musician asks why no arrest has been made while police continue to investigate the case under Florida’s “stand your ground” law.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local activists protest JEA’s continued use of coal, delivering bags of coal to the utility’s downtown headquarters and urging a faster shift toward solar power. Plus, questions surround Florida’s black bear hunt as advocates seek public information on how many bears have been killed since the season began.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On This Week in Health, Letisha Bereola and Dr. Joe Sirven unpack three stories at the intersection of infection, immunity, and online trends.​

• New Evidence Long COVID Is an Immune Disease, Not a Lingering Virus
  Washington Post coverage of NIH‑funded research and Keystone symposia highlights mounting evidence that long COVID is driven by chronic low‑grade inflammation and ongoing immune disruption rather than hidden pockets of virus. Dr. Joe notes this helps validate patients’ experiences and may eventually guide anti‑inflammatory therapies, even as long COVID remains widely misunderstood and often dismissed.​
• South Carolina’s Measles Outbreak Signals a Wider National Problem
  Health officials in South Carolina report more than 120 measles cases and hundreds in quarantine, mostly among unvaccinated children and adults, with concerns holiday travel could spread the virus beyond the state. Dr. Joe stresses measles is one of the most contagious human viruses—one case can infect 12–17 others, and the virus can linger in the air for up to three days—making vaccination the only logical, scalable protection.
• TikTok’s Methylene Blue Trend Raises Serious Safety Concerns
  NPR reports that methylene blue—a lab dye and prescription drug—is being promoted on TikTok as a “brain‑boosting” supplement despite no solid evidence for cognitive benefits and serious safety risks. Dr. Joe explains that while methylene blue has a legitimate role treating rare conditions like methemoglobinemia, using it off‑label for mood or focus is risky and unnecessary; anyone struggling with symptoms should talk with a clinician rather than chasing viral hacks.​

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Morning Report, a long-running Jacksonville crime victims advocacy group announces plans to dissolve and reorganize. Plus, educators and parents raise concerns about a Florida rule that allows student data to be shared with "Schools of Hope", sparking questions about privacy and protections for vulnerable students.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Jacksonville City Council members are pushing for a greater role in decisions about closing under-enrolled public schools. We also look at City Hall leadership changes, as longtime political figure Mike Weinstein is appointed Jacksonville’s new chief administrative officer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legend tripping and haunted history come to the First Coast in this episode of First Coast Connect Spotlight, as social media–fueled fascination with the strange and supernatural meets Jacksonville’s own eerie past. Host Anne Schindler talks with Bill Delaney—author of Secret Jacksonville: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, co-founder of The Jaxson, and Jacksonville City Council liaison—about the legends, lore, and (mostly) true stories behind Northeast Florida’s hallowed and haunted sites, and why a new generation is seeking them out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Nocatee father prepares to climb Africa’s highest peak to raise money for families grieving the loss of a child, marking five years since his son’s death and honoring the support that helped his family heal. Plus, Raines High School celebrates a dramatic state football championship victory, sealing an unbeaten season with a last-second touchdown.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville Today associate editor Mike Mendenhall welcomes reporter Will Brown back to talk about his latest coverage of food insecurity and a new Baptist Health initiative aimed at feeding more Northeast Florida families. Will explains how a 250,000 dollar grant to Feeding Northeast Florida—enough for roughly 215,000 meals—fits into Baptist’s broader community health needs assessment and years of quiet work in local food deserts. Hear how his time at food drives during the federal shutdown, listening to both volunteers and people in line, helps him center dignity and humanity instead of just numbers in his reporting. Read Will’s full story and more coverage at jaxtoday.org.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The names of two Jacksonville firefighters who died from occupation-related cancers were added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, as colleagues, city leaders, and families gathered to honor their service. We’ll also look at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, which is rolling out lower fares and free service as part of a six-month pilot program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, we look at new questions surrounding Duval County Public Schools’ finances after a state lawmaker is asking leaders for proof of a budget crisis. We also report on a major leadership change at the Florida Theatre. Numa Saisselin has stepped down after 13 years.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.