First Coast Connect: Government expert Chris Hand

What does Virginia’s vote on Tuesday in favor of redistricting tell us about Florida’s prospects to reshape the midterms? We discuss the upcoming special session in Tallahassee with attorney and government expert Chris Hand. We also look at prospects for a state budget deal, the official start of Jacksonville’s 2027 mayoral campaign and the latest on the Hope Florida grand jury investigation, which officially remains under wraps. We also take your calls and questions. Guest: Chris Hand, local government expert, attorney and co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual Open secret A secret no more, the lives of a group of Flagler County resident writers are the focus of a new collaborative publication. We meet three of the 24 contributing authors behind The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives, and discuss how a nascent Facebook group evolved into their new “tell-all” book. The tongue-in-cheek title belies a real camaraderie built among coastal Florida transplants who aligned to share very different stories and life trajectories. Guests:   Judy Cherry, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives Rachelle Edrozo Paulk, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives Jessica Anderson Fagonde, contributor, The Secret Lives of Flagler County Wives Strides for Pride The move to greater LGBTQ equality and visibility gets a push at the 15th Annual Strides for Pride 5K. The fundraiser benefits the work of the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, or JASMYN, a local LGBTQIA+ youth organization focused on supporting teens and young adults aged 13-29. The organization celebrated three decades of youth advocacy in 2024, and while it has been in a period of leadership transition, the group hired new CEO Ashley Coleman in February. Guest: Issis Alvarez, JASMYN board chairSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.