WJCT News Now Plus

This week, Dr. Joe looks at how new infections, everyday habits, and lifelong learning all shape our health more than we might realize. As headlines swirl about a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, Dr. Joe explains why this rodent-linked virus is very different from COVID, how the Andes strain spreads, and why public health tools like quarantine and contact tracing keep overall risk low for the general public. Guidelines highlighted this week warn that two modern bathroom habits—low-fiber diets and scrolling on your phone while sitting on the toilet—are fueling hemorrhoids, which affect at least half of adults by age 50. Dr. Joe talks about when bleeding or discomfort should prompt a visit to the doctor, and why it is time to cap toilet time and put the phone down. New research on “covert consciousness” suggests some patients diagnosed as vegetative may still be processing commands and language, even when they show no obvious signs of awareness. Dr. Joe walks through what brain scans are revealing, how this complicates conversations about prognosis, and why families need both hope and clarity when a loved one is in a prolonged coma. An 80-year study from Rush University finds that lifelong cognitive enrichment—being read to as a child, visiting museums, reading and playing games later in life—can lower Alzheimer’s risk by about 38 percent. Dr. Joe explains how active, focused learning seems to protect brain health over decades, and why it is worth building these habits for both kids and adults. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent NBC News poll found that only 38% of Generation Z is looking forward to the future. Nearly half said if they had a choice, they’d travel into the past — a time before social media, cellphones and the sense that both political and planetary environments are increasingly uninhabitable. This vicarious nostalgia for a time they never experienced, known as anemoia, has become common among those under 30, as they face perilous economic and increasingly challenging social realities. We talk about how a generation that has earned the nickname “the anxious generation” sets a path when every step is uncertain. Guests: Taylor White, junior, Fleming Island High School Jalicia Lewis, community outreach and engagement lead, Jacksonville Climate Coalition Gabriel James, founder of Pathway America charter at Flagler College Free dental care Two weeks ago we told you about Florida’s emergency dentistry crisis. On Wednesday, we preview a two-day event designed to help as many as 1,800 locals in need of free dental care. Sponsored by the Florida Dental Association Foundation, the 11th Florida Mission of Mercy event will be Friday and Saturday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, along with a special Veterans’ First initiative on Thursday. (Veterans can pre-register by visiting www.flamom.org and clicking the red “Veterans’ Dental Event” button.) The event offers free cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, pediatric dentistry and root canals. The event is ticketed: After checking in on-site, patients are given a specific appointment time and asked to return for care. Appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is encouraged. Doors open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Guest: Dr. Tom Brown, dentist and co-chair of the 2026 Florida Mission of Mercy Emancipation Celebration  When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, it applied to Florida as well as nine other states that seceded from the Union. The policy was known to those living in Union-controlled areas, including St. Augustine and Jacksonville. But for parts of the state still governed by the Confederacy, the formal proclamation wasn’t announced until more than two years later, on May 20, 1865. And it would be another month before word reached the final formally enslaved areas of the nation in Texas — a day now celebrated as the federal holiday of Juneteenth. A local celebration of Emancipation Day was started in 1913 by humanitarian and philanthropist Eartha M.M. White and revived in 2021 by Jacksonville City Council member and Clara White Mission CEO Ju’Coby Pittman. This year’s event will be from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, and features live performances by STR8UP Band, Mal Jones, DJ Cook, Alisha Merine and Kiyurah Davis, as well as presentations by local historians, food vendors and a celebratory setting. Guests: Carla Mechele Jones, Vibrant Places Collective facilitator Yollie Copeland, founder and tour guide, Explore Jax Core See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is seeking millions in fines from the city of Jacksonville over security logs that tracked people carrying firearms into City Hall and the Yates Building. Also, Jacksonville officials are asking for public input on a proposed new special district on Jacksonville's Westside, which could fund local improvements through assessments on commercial properties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville leaders are pushing forward with a high-profile investigation into city-owned utility JEA, as a special City Council committee votes to pursue subpoenas for executives and key documents tied to allegations involving workplace culture, utility fees, and a planned billion-dollar power plant. Plus, a proposed incentive package for Winn-Dixie is expected to move to a full council vote after a deal was reached to keep a grocery store in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood open, easing concerns about a potential food desert.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Known as “the King of Ragtime Guitar,” Arthur “Blind” Blake claimed Jacksonville as home, but his blues songs traced a path across the country, from West Coast Blues to Georgia Bound. By the time of his death at age 38, he’d recorded an estimated 80 tracks for Paramount Records, starting in 1926. On the 100th anniversary of that musical milestone, his legacy continues as one of the most revered and distinctive guitarists of the era. Blake was known for a rhythmic guitar style defined by a “thumb roll” striking out bass notes while he picked alternate, complicated melodies with his index and middle fingers. His first solo record, Early Morning Blues, planted the flag for what would become known as Piedmont blues, with an uptempo guitar sound that mimicked a piano. We discuss how his local influence is remembered and listen to some of the songs Blake wrote about Jacksonville with two local historians. Guests: Adonnica Toler, museum director, Eartha M. M. White Historical Museum and Gardens Tim Gilmore, author, educator and historian at JaxPsychoGeo Truth vs. trolls Fighting misinformation online takes if not a village, then at least a small digital army. That’s the idea behind Climate Truth Tellers, an initiative of the Sierra Club that works to combat deceptive, alarmist or simply mistaken claims about climate change on social media. The strategy aims to both flood the zone with helpful, fact-based posts and to offer counter programming to the often dystopian drumbeat of online exchanges. We talk to the program’s regional manager about tactics to take on the trolls, and her recent appearance on the Climate Connections shortcast. Guest: Jennifer McCharen, regional digital manager, Sierra Club Encores and Evolution An upcoming production by Bold City Opera offers a chance to both reminisce about past performances and fund future ones. The nonprofit resident chamber opera company holds its inaugural fundraiser cabaret, showcasing signature performances from its first three years of immersive opera experiences. Founded in late 2022 by locally based soprano Christine Alfano and conductor Brandon Smith, BCO has hosted free outreach performances and is known for pushing traditional operatic boundaries. Encores and Evolution includes a two-act concert, as well as popular arias, duets and ensemble pieces featuring a mix of regional and local performers. The cabaret show begins at 7 p.m. May 16 in Taliaferro Hall at St. John’s Cathedral in Downtown Jacksonville. Guests: Brandon Smith, Bold City Opera executive artistic director, co-founder and pianist Christine Alfano, co-founder of Bold City Opera and featured cabaret vocalist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A weekend block party in Palatka turned chaotic after police say a driver plowed a truck into a crowd, injuring multiple people and damaging vehicles. Also, Tallahassee prepares for a special legislative session as Florida lawmakers return to work on the state budget after failing to pass one during the regular session for the second straight year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville Today associate editor Mike Mendenhall talks with reporter Dan Scanlan about why Jacksonville Transportation Authority suddenly hit pause on its public meetings over the future of the aging Skyway and its autonomous-vehicle successor. They break down which ideas got the most public support—from turning the elevated tracks into a High Line–style trail to replacing or retrofitting the trains—and how cost pressures, funding uncertainty, and skepticism about self-driving shuttles are reshaping JTA’s plans. Read Dan’s full story at jaxtoday.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will keep funding in her upcoming budget for Healthlink Jax, a telehealth program for uninsured residents, after a city review found no evidence supporting fraud allegations tied to provider Telescope Health. Plus, with Mother’s Day weekend here, we highlight a few local events happening around Jacksonville that you can take your mom to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A phrase that once signaled housing as a basic Maslow need has taken on a more sinister cast: The rent eats first. For an increasing number of households on the First Coast, the choice between groceries and soaring housing costs is all too real. A new book explores what happens when housing is viewed as an investment asset rather than a social necessity. An outgrowth of the University of North Florida’s Jax Rental Housing Project, the book drills down on how the local market became dominated by large institutional investors, private equity firms and corporate landlords, some holding thousands of units and creating a social crisis that goes beyond just financial concerns. We talk to the authors about how they built the research project and what they hope their work will accomplish. Guests:  David Jaffee, professor of sociology at the University of North Florida, director of the UNF Jax Rental Housing Project Katie Renzi, project manager, Jax Rental Housing Project Ride of a lifetime A journey of a thousand miles begins … in Jacksonville. Later this month, veterans embark on an adaptive cycling ride in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday. Some 80 athletes begin a two-week journey to the 9/11 memorial in New York City, with patriotic pitstops along the way, including Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, Arlington National Cemetery and the White House. The peloton will be divided into four groups of 20 for the relay ride, some on traditional bikes, others using hand cycles or recumbent bikes. We talk to the ride’s sponsor, Wounded Warrior Project, as well as a paralympic triathlete and participant, about the value of physical activity and group endeavors when it comes to overcoming service-related trauma. Guests: Meghan Wagner, director of physical health and wellness, Wounded Warrior Project Kelly Elmlinger, Army veteran and paralympic triathlete Learning with dyslexia After participating in a national roundtable discussion on students with dyslexia hosted by doctor and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, Jacksonville pediatrician and advocate Dr. Chanley Dudley joins us to discuss how the city is meeting the challenge of educating children equally and appropriately. Dudley also serves on the board for the city’s primary school for dyslexic kids, the DePaul School of Northeast Florida, which is undergoing a major expansion. We ask her about goals for the new campus and the launch of the Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center. Guest: Dr. Chanley Dudley, parent, pediatrician and board chair at the DePaul School of Northeast Florida & Florida Dyslexia Literacy Center Amber Oliveira, head of school, DePaul School of Northeast Florida See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Jacksonville high school students will see longer school days and new class schedules when the academic year begins in August, following approval from the Duval County School Board. Plus, after a memorial honoring the victims of the 2023 racist attack at a Jacksonville Dollar General was destroyed, a local corrections officer and her family stepped in to rebuild it. Hear how the community is continuing to honor the lives lost and support plans for a more permanent tribute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Dr. Joe looks at how federal policy, artificial intelligence, and even your pillow stack might change the way we treat brains, cancers, and eyes. President Trump has signed an executive order sending 50 million dollars into psychedelic treatments for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and telling regulators to fast‑track a “magic mushroom”–based drug. Dr. Joe highlights what early studies show for tough‑to‑treat cases—and why these drugs still pose heart risks and need to be paired with guided therapy rather than used alone. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have created an AI tool called REDMod that can flag early signs of pancreatic cancer on routine CT scans roughly 475 days before usual diagnosis. Dr. Joe explains why catching this cancer earlier could be lifesaving, and how tools like this might first be used for people at highest risk. A small study suggests that sleeping with stacked pillows can raise eye pressure in people with glaucoma by changing neck position and blood flow. Dr. Joe talks about what this could mean if you already have glaucoma, why most people don’t need to toss their pillows, and the regular eye pressure checks he wants everyone to keep on their radar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three years after an investigation by the Florida Trib led the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to fire its longtime jail medical provider, the company’s quality of care is still a matter of concern. In a new report, award-winning investigative reporter Nichole Manna digs into the 2023 death of Brian Tracey, which occurred on the day he was scheduled to be released from the St. Johns County jail, as his girlfriend waited for him outside. As part of a joint report with ProPublica, the story includes the perspective of four experts, including former jail commanders and physicians, who determined Tracey should have been hospitalized after symptoms that included fainting and difficulty breathing. We discuss the state of contracted, for-profit medical care in jails, and what it means for people who may arrive there in marginal health. Guest: Nichole Manna, investigative reporter at the Florida Trib Bonsai of relief If all you know about bonsai trees is what you learned from Mr. Miyagi, there is much to learn, grasshopper. We talk to a bonsai expert and a master gardener ahead of Riverside Avondale Preservation's annual home garden tour. We also get expert advice about how to manage your existing plants during the ongoing drought and related water restrictions. RAP's 6th Annual Garden Tour is a major community fundraiser, offering a peek into some of the region’s most painstakingly landscaped places, from the “Bromelia Boutique” on Oak Street to the chemical-free, Florida-friendly environs of “Nature’s Friend” on Pine Street. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and has become a pre-Mother’s Day tradition for many. Guests: Stephanie Means, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program coordinator at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Mike Groeschel, owner, SkyDog Family Bonsai Leaving a scar Florida State College at Jacksonville’s literary magazine, The Experience, will host a poetry night at Happy Medium Books Café on Wednesday to celebrate the release of Vol 58: Tales of a Scarred Land! The book showcases some of the work in the school’s 39th Art and Design Student Show and runs the gamut from photography to poetry, short stories and experimental work. The event includes a free copy of the compendium, along with student performances. Organizers encourage participants to indulge their creative side by wearing “fantasy-like” attire to complement the wide-ranging work of FSCJ students. Guest: Jenn Chase, humanities and English professor, Florida State College at Jacksonville Wild Amelia Nature Festival A 10-day festival across Amelia Island and Nassau County celebrates the region’s unique ecosystem with music, environmental displays, live animal exhibits, a kids market and a sand sculpture contest to help the community appreciate and learn how to better protect the area’s natural spaces. Scheduled to coincide with the annual opening of the beaches celebration, the 17th annual Wild Amelia Nature Eco/Expo Festival will be held from May 8–17 at Main Beach Park. The event is also a tribute to local environmentalists Jodi and Ray Hetchka, founders of the festival, owners of Kayak Amelia and longtime champions of the natural world. Guest: Lynda Bell, executive director, Keep Nassau BeautifulSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville City Council is moving forward with its investigation into JEA, despite calls from the Jacksonville Civic Council to end the probe while separate state and local investigations continue. Also, St. Johns County leaders are weighing how to approach potential artificial intelligence data center development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wildfires and burn bans are very much in the news now, as North Florida and South Georgia face “exceptional” droughts and a rainfall deficit of as much as 2 feet this year alone — the most extreme in 15 years. But while the state grapples with the effects of the current crisis, Florida's longer term challenges are often overlooked. The water scarcity crisis is not just a function of a warming planet or periodic drought. It’s driven by rapid population growth, overdevelopment and rising demands on the Floridan Aquifer, the region’s principal source of freshwater. We get the lay of the land from the statewide expert who leads the University of Florida’s H2OSAV (Water Savings, Analytics, and Verification) extension program, designed to measurably reduce water use across the state. Guest: Dr. Nick Taylor, state specialized extension agent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Center for Land Use Efficiency Pepper pot A new cookbook celebrates “the pepper of St. Augustine,” framed by the Minorcan cuisine that holds the fiery capsicum dear. Illustrated by visual artist Gayle Prevatt, the “Datil Taste Good” cookbook is itself peppered with familiar local names of the original Minorcan immigrants (Pacetti, Masters, Manucy) and features no fewer than five recipes for Minorcan clam chowder and two kinds of “Bottled Hell” datil sauce. We discuss how the pepper became synonymous with St. Augustine, its mysterious origin story and why it remains largely confined to its Northeast Florida home turf. Guests: Magen Altice, executive director, St. Augustine Historical Society Nicole Diehm, head librarian and curator, St. Augustine Historical Society Carry on For more than 30 years The National Association of Letter Carriers has hosted an annual food drive collecting nearly 2 billion pounds of goods for food banks across the United States. The Stamp Out Hunger campaign is the largest food drive in the nation, with postal workers in 10,000 cities participating. We talk to the branch leader of the local letter carriers union about the event and why the need becomes especially keen as school winds down for the summer. Residents who wish to donate can leave nonperishable food items in a bag by their mailbox on Saturday. Guest: Jim Thigpenn, president, North Florida Letter Carriers, Branch 53See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville’s Holiday Hill neighborhood after police say he approached officers while armed after allegedly kicking in doors to several apartments. Also, Florida’s new congressional map is now law after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the redistricting plan Monday. Hours later, voting rights groups filed a lawsuit challenging the map, arguing it violates the state constitution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a good week for the state GOP. Shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the door to widespread redistricting and gutted the legal basis for minority access districts, Florida legislators adopted a new congressional map that all but eliminates Democratic power, cutting blue-leaning districts in half, to just four of the state’s 28 House seats. We talk to state Republican Party Chair Evan Power and State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky about how the Supreme Court and state lawmakers have reshaped the political landscape and what it means for party power going forward. We also get political analysis from attorney and public policy expert Rick Mullaney about how both developments fit into Florida history and how they may shape its future. Guests: Florida Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland), incoming House Democratic leader-designate State Republican Party Chair Evan Power Rick Mullaney, executive director of the Haskell Public Policy Institute at Jacksonville University Psychedelics, tick season and longevity science In our monthly House Call with Dr. Joe Sirven, we discuss how political pressure is putting psychedelics on the fast track, a surging tick season (and attendant conspiracy theories) and a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship that has left three passengers dead.  Guest: Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of WJCT’s What’s Health Got To Do With It?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Johns County is launching a new effort to attract more businesses as local leaders look to grow industries like health care, aviation, and aerospace. Meanwhile, new state data shows Jacksonville-area businesses cut thousands of jobs over the past year, even as the regional unemployment rate dipped slightly in March.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacksonville Today associate editor Mike Mendenhall talks with reporters Noah Hertz and Megan Mallicoat about a growing clash between St. Johns County’s new superintendent and Florida’s education commissioner over the state’s expanded private school voucher program. They unpack how vouchers are reshaping public school budgets, why the commissioner publicly accused the superintendent of trying to “vote out” pro-voucher lawmakers, and how those state-level policies land in a deeply conservative county that’s also proud of its top-ranked public schools. Read Noah and Megan’s full coverage at jaxtoday.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New fines begin today in Duval County as school bus stop-arm cameras move from warnings to enforcement, with drivers facing $225 penalties for illegally passing stopped buses. Plus, much-needed rain is expected to move into Northeast Florida this weekend, bringing some relief from dry conditions but also the possibility of strong wind gusts and a low-end tornado threat as storms move through the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sporting Club Jacksonville women's team has one final home game after a remarkably successful inaugural season. The team clinched a spot at the playoffs in early April after dominating in their first year as an expansion team in the Gainsbridge Super League. And although they’ve suffered a couple losses in April, before that they held a seven-game winning streak and hadn’t allowed more than one goal in any game since Oct. 25. We talk to the team’s star defender, Georgia Brown, and the defender-turned-striker Paige Kenton, as well as the women’s head coach about their first season in the sun and how they’re preparing for the playoff challenge. Guests: Stacey Balaam, Sporting Club Jacksonville women's soccer head coach Georgia Brown, Sporting JAX defender Paige Kenton, Sporting JAX forward Outsider art A Jacksonville-based artist with a global, even universal vision, is the focus of a new exhibition at MOCA Jacksonville. Outside Looking In: The Paintings of Amer Kobaslija features works showcasing his life and travels, from his childhood in war-torn Bosnia to his series Florida Diaries to his portrayal of the devastation from the 2011 tsunami in Japan, One Hundred Views of Kesennuma. Throughout his work, Kobaslija offers colorful, even whimsical views of damaged and denuded landscapes, whether by natural forces or man-made devastation, including rampant development and climate change. The exhibit opens Thursday and runs through Sept. 20. Guests: Amer Kobaslija, visual artist, associate professor of studio art at the University of Central Florida Amber Sesnick, director of marketing, arts University of North Florida and MOCA Jacksonville Arts awards Celebrating the people and organizations pushing Jacksonville’s cultural and creative ecosystem forward is the focus of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s annual art awards. The 49th Annual awards ceremony is also the group’s largest fundraiser, with 92 cents of every dollar raised returned to local arts and culture. The event promises a “multilevel experience” with a theme of “Neon Noir” to celebrate those who light the way for the rest of the community. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Decca Live. Tickets are required. Guest: Diana Donovan, executive director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville Darren Dailey, president and artistic director, Jacksonville Children's Chorus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida lawmakers approved a major overhaul of the state’s congressional map during a special session, advancing a controversial redistricting plan backed by Governor Ron DeSantis that is expected to face legal challenges. Also, Jacksonville’s downtown continues its transformation, with major projects moving ahead. A new report highlights both the momentum downtown and the issues people still want addressed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Dr. Joe looks at what happens when promising science, pandemic-era fears, and everyday food choices collide with real-world health decisions. A small early-phase trial in people with glioblastoma suggests very high intravenous doses of vitamin B3 (niacin), added to standard care, may help “reawaken” tired immune cells and briefly slow tumor growth. Dr. Joe explains why this is an intriguing lab signal—but still an experimental hospital treatment, not a reason to start megadosing over-the-counter vitamins. A new report in the journal Transfusion finds more patients asking hospitals for blood only from unvaccinated donors since COVID shots rolled out, even though blood centers don’t track or label donations by vaccination status. Dr. Joe walks through how these requests can delay life-saving transfusions, why there is no evidence vaccinated blood is harmful, and how to think about risk when you actually need blood. A large neurology study following nearly 93,000 adults for about 11 years links eating more plant foods—especially whole grains, vegetables, and nuts—to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, while “junk” plant-based diets high in fries and refined grains were tied to higher risk. Dr. Joe talks about why quality matters more than the “plant-based” label and how to move toward a more brain-friendly, plant-forward pattern without going fully vegetarian or vegan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida has the highest rate of emergency room visits for kids seeking nontraumatic dental care, and the crisis is getting worse. As more families lose or scale back insurance coverage, and as state Medicaid officials “disenroll” families, preventative dental care gets out of reach for more children. It’s a problem that leaves medical staff frustrated and kids in pain, since emergency rooms are ill equipped to treat dental emergencies and often send patients home with little more than an ice pack and painkillers. We discuss what options are on the table and how the state’s new fluoride policies could affect the problem. Guest: Dr. Frank Catalanotto, founder of Floridians for Dental Access, former dean at the University of Florida College of Dentistry Stepping up After enduring what she describes as an early life defined by abuse, Desiree Jones turned her experience into a path forward for others. The founder of Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation is now a licensed therapist and offers mental health counseling, mentorship, skills training and housing stability assistance to disadvantaged individuals in the city’s urban core. The group was recently recognized in LISC Jacksonville’s Community Development Awards. We discuss what the award means for the foundation and how its work epitomizes the grassroots strategies promoted by LISC. Guests: Desiree Jones, founder and president, Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation Dr. Irvin DePedro Cohen, executive director of LISC Jacksonville To the moon and back April was a busy month for space exploration, as NASA’s Artemis II completed a successful 10-day voyage around the moon, becoming the first crewed flight of the space agency’s Orion spacecraft. It’s also a busy time for stargazers. Currently, the Leo Triplet, a constellation made up of three interacting galaxies, is overhead. We break down the science of how these galaxies produce so-called “rogue stars” and discuss what we’ve learned from the first crewed space flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17. Guest: Eddie Whisler, director of planetarium and outreach, Museum of Science & HistorySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida lawmakers are preparing to debate Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional maps, which could reshape the state’s political landscape and potentially give Republicans four additional seats in Congress. Also, Jacksonville is extending bar hours in the Brooklyn neighborhood, allowing some businesses to serve alcohol until 3 A.M.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Earth Day petition with more than 26,000 signatures was delivered to Chemours chemical company on the same day as its annual meeting of shareholders. It’s just one part of a multi-pronged effort by conservationists and students to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from the effects of nearby titanium mining. A similar plea was delivered to the maker of Oreo cookies and Sour Patch kids, treats that have used titanium dioxide as a product whitener. That letter urged Mondelez International to pledge not to ever use white pigment sourced from Okefenokee-area mines in its snack foods. We talk to two people behind the current campaign about progress to protect the country’s largest blackwater swamp and the challenges that remain. Guest: Josh Marks, environmental attorney, president of Georgians for the Okefenokee Mackenzi Hallmark, chair, Georgia Student Swamp Coalition Maximizing meadows Make your own meadow. A new step-by-step guide explores the environmental effects of transforming turfgrass lawnscapes into biodiverse habitats. The Florida Meadow Manual recognizes a growing desire by homeowners and landscapers for an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional, monoculture lawns. From plant selection and site preparation to long-term maintenance tips and design principals, the book provides instructions for, and the ecological rationale behind, creating even small, yard-sized meadows. We sit down with the book’s authors to discuss why Florida climate works for these particular landscapes and why meadows are a growing strategy for those seeking low-maintenance and affordable solutions. Guests: Gage Daniel J. LaPierre, post-doctoral research associate at University of Florida and co-author, The Florida Meadow Manual  Isabella Guttuso Browne, landscape designer and coordinator at UF Center for Landscape Conservation and co-author, The Florida Meadow Manual Artistic APtitude An exhibit of student artwork showcases “risk-taking, problem-solving and deep reflection,” according to organizers of Global Leadership Academy High School’s annual AP Art Portfolio Exhibition. Presented at Downtown Vision Inc., the show features 2- and 3D art and design pieces by the Advanced Placement students, demonstrating both technical ability and creative thinking. The exhibition’s opening reception is from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at DVI’s headquarters, 29 W. Duval St. Admission is free. Guests: Amanda Holloway, AP art instructor at Global Leadership Academy High School Tikabaya Thornton and Victoria “Vika” Kurochkin, featured student artists See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida lawmakers begin a special session to consider a new congressional map proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis, a plan that could reshape several districts in Central and South Florida and influence the balance of power in the U.S. House. Also, St. Johns schools superintendent responds to criticism from state officials after speaking out against school vouchers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: Extended drought, with a rainfall deficit of 25 inches, kindles conditions for widespread and dangerous wildfires.  The timing of a campaign video release creates political headaches for Mayor Donna Deegan. City officials put a nearly $4,000 price tag on a request for public records related to the JEA investigation.  Attorney General James Uthmeier investigates an AI chatbot’s role in last year’s mass shooting at FSU. Guests: Robert Brown, news director, WJXT News4Jax Frank Powers, former assignment manager at News4Jax Randy DeFoor, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council member Jake Stofan, state and local government reporter at Action News Jax Band aid A local high school is headed to Washington, D.C., after being invited to perform in the National Memorial Day Parade. The Sandalwood High School Band is still working to raise funds for the trip and is asking the community for help to make the opportunity a reality. The event is expected to feature 5,000 participants from all 50 states, including dozens of high school bands. We ask the band’s director what it means for students and the First Coast to be recognized on a national stage. Guests: Samantha Maltagliati, band director, Sandalwood High School Adelina Millian, saxophone, Sandalwood High School Band Sophia Peugnet, Sandalwood band president and drum major Jeremiah Gadson, Sandalwood band percussion captain Great fire gathering Ongoing wildfires across the First Coast and Southern Georgia are a stark reminder of the very real devastation caused by giant infernos — like the one that destroyed almost the entire city of Jacksonville in 1901. This year marks the 125th anniversary of that dark time, but the first of what’s anticipated to be annual events recalls not just the widespread destruction, but the citywide rebirth that followed. We talk to the head of the Jacksonville History Center about the inaugural Great Fire Gathering and how the fundraiser aims to help the group prepare for the future as it commemorates the past. Guest: Alan Bliss, CEO, Jacksonville History CenterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

A subpoena issued to JEA late last week indicates the State Attorney’s Office is expanding an investigation sparked by the Jacksonville City Council president's effort to appoint his boss to the utility’s board. At the same time, a former JEA staffer alleges CEO Vickie Cavey created a toxic workplace, and the public utility may have failed to collect millions in water fees from large commercial customers going back decades. We ask the mayor whether the mounting JEA-related controversies could prove politically consequential in coming elections. Mayor Deegan also addresses listener concerns from e-bike traffic safety concerns to neighborhood efforts to quell youth violence. Guest: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan Fletcher High filmmaker Since making her professional debut at Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre at age 7, Tatum Matthews has expanded her work to include film and television. Now 17 and a junior at Fletcher High School, Matthews has claimed starring roles in the CW’s The Waltons specials, played the lead in the sci-fi thriller The Artifice Girl, and was honored as a “rising star” by the city of Jacksonville’s Film & Television Office. For her latest project, an indie short called Would You Rather, she wears several hats: writing, directing and starring in the drama. The story explores the complexities of adolescence, friendship and trauma, with Jacksonville as its backdrop. The film premiered in 2025 at the Oscar-qualifying Calgary International Film Festival and is set to screen at the Beverly Hills International Film Festival on April 17. We ask Matthews about the filmmaking process, what inspired the film’s narrative and what it means to represent her home town at the international level. Guests: Tatum Matthews, writer, director and actor, Would You Rather Franklin Ritch, executive producer and editor, Would You Rather Britt McTammany, executive producer, cinematographer, Would You Rather James and the Giant Peach A modern spin on a Roald Dahl classic takes off later this week in St. Augustine. The Flagler College Theatre Department’s James and the Giant Peach features an all-female cast and a “truck-style” performance, in which costume and lighting changes as well as scene transitions are done in full view of the audience. We ask the director and star of the production about the enduring appeal of the childhood tale and the promise of happiness beyond a bleak present. The show runs through April 19 at Lewis Auditorium on the Flagler College campus. Guests: Kip Taisey, Flagler College musical theatre director and director of James and the Giant Peach Amberly Rodriguez, Flagler College student, actor playing James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A subpoena issued to JEA late last week indicates the State Attorney’s Office is expanding an investigation sparked by the Jacksonville City Council president's effort to appoint his boss to the utility’s board. At the same time, a former JEA staffer alleges CEO Vickie Cavey created a toxic workplace, and the public utility may have failed to collect millions in water fees from large commercial customers going back decades. We ask the mayor whether the mounting JEA-related controversies could prove politically consequential in coming elections. Mayor Deegan also addresses listener concerns from e-bike traffic safety concerns to neighborhood efforts to quell youth violence. Guest: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan Fletcher High filmmaker Since making her professional debut at Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre at age 7, Tatum Matthews has expanded her work to include film and television. Now 17 and a junior at Fletcher High School, Matthews has claimed starring roles in the CW’s The Waltons specials, played the lead in the sci-fi thriller The Artifice Girl, and was honored as a “rising star” by the city of Jacksonville’s Film & Television Office. For her latest project, an indie short called Would You Rather, she wears several hats: writing, directing and starring in the drama. The story explores the complexities of adolescence, friendship and trauma, with Jacksonville as its backdrop. The film premiered in 2025 at the Oscar-qualifying Calgary International Film Festival and is set to screen at the Beverly Hills International Film Festival on April 17. We ask Matthews about the filmmaking process, what inspired the film’s narrative and what it means to represent her home town at the international level. Guests: Tatum Matthews, writer, director and actor, Would You Rather Franklin Ritch, executive producer and editor, Would You Rather Britt McTammany, executive producer, cinematographer, Would You Rather James and the Giant Peach A modern spin on a Roald Dahl classic takes off later this week in St. Augustine. The Flagler College Theatre Department’s James and the Giant Peach features an all-female cast and a “truck-style” performance, in which costume and lighting changes as well as scene transitions are done in full view of the audience. We ask the director and star of the production about the enduring appeal of the childhood tale and the promise of happiness beyond a bleak present. The show runs through April 19 at Lewis Auditorium on the Flagler College campus. Guests: Kip Taisey, Flagler College musical theatre director and director of James and the Giant Peach Amberly Rodriguez, Flagler College student, actor playing James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cocaine bear, meet caffeine shark. In our monthly House Call with Dr. Joe Sirven, we discuss the effects of polluting pharmaceuticals and ordinary stimulants found in the world’s top marine predator. We also discuss new research into the effectiveness of morning chemotherapy regimens and why scientists think prolonged weightlessness might have something to do with why a NASA astronaut became temporarily mute in outer space. Dr. Joe also answers your health care questions on any topic. Guest: Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of WJCT’s What’s Health Got To Do With It? Stopping the cycle of child abuse The line between a crisis and child abuse or neglect is often vanishingly thin, and it is often drawn where there is family education, resources or just a moment of respite. For the past 30 years, the Exchange Club Family Center has offered free, supportive, in-home services for families who are at risk or just need a little help. The group will have its annual child abuse prevention and awards luncheon on April 16, hosted by abuse survivor and motivational speaker Derek Clark. Guest: Sue Watson, executive director, Exchange Club Family Center By My Neighbor Day WJCT’s annual community celebration, Be My Neighbor Day, brings together kids, grownups, friends and community partners for a free, fun-filled festival on April 11. The event features crafts for kids, beloved PBS characters like Daniel Tiger and a chance to meet the people behind the scenes at WJCT Public Media. The day is built around activities aimed at teaching kids how to find and be “helpers” in their own neighborhood and includes a face-painting station and food trucks. Entry into WJCT’s Studio A is timed, so registration is required. Guest: Circe LeNoble, director of grants management and community events, WJCT Public MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: Is the City Council muscling in on independent authorities? We discuss what’s happening at JEA and the airport. A bodycam showing police punching a restrained suspect draws fresh attention to use of force practices at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. A former JEA chief of staff explains what he defines as a “toxic workplace.” Special elections stun Republicans in two state legislative races. Guests: David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union Randy DeFoor, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council member Jake Stofan, state and local government reporter at Action News Jax Briana Brownlee, reporter at News4Jax Kim Varner, retired police detective, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Regina Wright, criminal defense attorney Farewell to Michelle Later, a fond farewell to a familiar voice. We sit down with our own Michelle Corum for an exit interview. Michelle joins us on one of her final days at WJCT Public Media. For listeners of 89.9 FM, she’s a voice you know well as the station’s longtime Morning Edition host. Michelle has worked in public broadcasting for decades as an announcer and reporter for public radio stations in Lawrence, Kansas, and Interlochen, Michigan, and has worked in Jacksonville since 2012. She also manages WJCT's Radio Reading Service for sight-impaired listeners. We sit down with her for a look back at her long career and wish her well in her retirement. Guest: Michelle Corum, WJCT News, longtime Morning Edition host on WJCT 89.9 FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: Florida sheriffs push back on mass deportation policies, saying there needs to be a path to citizenship for certain undocumented residents.  School prayer is under the microscope in Duval County as two groups object to the evangelical bent of invocations. The “60-day” legislative session ends, momentarily, but work on the budget, taxation and redistricting remains unfinished. Racist incidents at two Florida universities put conservative campus groups in the crosshairs. Duval County cancels a courthouse sculpture, despite having already spent $300,000 on the nonexistent artwork. Guests: Mike Mendenhall, associate editor and City Hall reporter at Jacksonville Today Anthony Austin, reporter and anchor, First Coast News Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant A.G. Gancarski, reporter at Florida Politics, columnist for Jacksonville Today Cemetery tour Upcoming tours of two local cemeteries bring history to life. For the second year, Old Arlington Inc. hosts its mobile “Spirits, Soldiers, and Settlers” tour. The weekend event benefits the community-based volunteer group and includes reenactors and stops at two cemeteries as part of a guided bus tour of the historic area. Tours leave from Blue Cypress Park Community Center and are offered twice on March 28 — from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. Guests: Kathy Walker, chair of the Old Arlington Inc. History & Cemetery Tour Lori Newton, director of Artist Connection Theatre See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: The utility that can’t elude controversy is now the source of dual investigations Local DEI measures face elimination under newly approved bill The City Council leadership race gears up with four gunning for the VP spot Guests: Sylvia Perry, editor of the Jacksonville Free Press  Jim Piggott, former City Hall reporter at News4Jax Will Brown, reporter, Jacksonville Today John Daigle, political consultant, former reporter 'Every Brilliant Thing' A local community theatre is staging a moving exploration of mental health, love and loss and celebrating the little things that make life worth living. The one-person show, Every Brilliant Thing, follows an unnamed narrator who, after their mother’s attempted suicide, begins to compile a list of “every brilliant thing” in the world. As the story progresses and the narrator ages, they find themselves searching for hope through the list, which includes ice cream and water fights, to staying up past your bedtime. Actors Lindsay Curry and Jillianne Tamillo rotate in the role through alternating performances. The play opens March 13 at Players By the Sea and runs through April 12. Guests: Jillianne Tamillo, actor, Every Brilliant Thing, staged at Players By the Sea Lindsay Curry, actor, Every Brilliant Thing, staged at Players By the Sea See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.