A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) concludes voter suppression tactics were widespread across the country during the midterm elections.
The nonpartisan policy institute said some of the most “severe” instances happened in Florida and Georgia.
Danielle Root, the voting rights manager at CAP, joined us with the details of the report, especially in regards to what it means in Florida.
CAP found people of color and low-income Americans were disproportionately targeted by what the institute says are discriminatory voter suppression measures.
Freed To Run
Local attorney Mike Freed started a fundraising event last year when he pledged to run 157 miles from the Florida Supreme Court to the Duval County Courthouse, single handedly raising nearly $70,000.
This year, Freed to Run is getting bigger and has an even more ambitious fundraising goal.
Freed joined us in Studio 5 with the details along with Michael Aubin, Hospital president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital; Jim Kowalski, President and CEO of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Dr. Jeff Goldhagen, from the Department of Pediatrics at UF College of Medicine Jacksonville.
In an unprecedented show of philanthropy, 17 Jacksonville point-to-point relay teams, representing a broad range of organizations will each run one of six marathons between December 2 and 7.
Additional information is available here.
Jacksonville Theatre Group Shows Aretha Franklin Some R E S P E C T
A one-night musical tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, will be held Friday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. at 8040 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32211.
Named after her hit song, “Respect,” the production will showcase Franklin’s biggest hits.
Featured performers Jamilia Holder and Kathleen Murphy Jackson from the Stage Aurora Theatrical Company joined us with a preview.
Additional information is available here.
Historic Springfield Holiday Tour Of Homes
Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood is decked out for the holidays with thousands expected to come out for the Historic Springfield Holiday Tour of Homes.
Kelly Rich from the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Association gave us a preview of the 32nd annual event on December 6 and 7.
Additional information is available here.
JJ Grey Ticket Giveaway
Our entertainment contributor Kerry Speckman, also known as The Spectator, gave us preview of upcoming entertainment that included a JJ Grey concert ticket giveaway. The sold out December 1 concert by the Jacksonville native will benefit the North Florida Land Trust and will be held at the Congaree and Penn Farm & Mills in Jacksonville.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
Photo used under Creative Commons license.
