Denetra Lee

On Friday’s program, we discussed President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the Jacksonville component of the Republican National Convention.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida this week, including:

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams stated on Monday that he doesn’t think it would be possible to equip the Republican National Convention with proper security. So, what does this mean for the event? 

On Friday’s program, we took a closer look at how schools across Florida are planning to reopen during the pandemic.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida this week, including:

As coronavirus cases continue to climb, many are concerned about the state’s plan to reopen schools,  including the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team, an advocacy group. They hosted a protest in advance of this morning's Duval School Board meeting.

This week, we took a closer look at the rising number of COVID-19 cases, how patients are being cared for, and what’s being done to try and help slow the spread of the virus in Florida.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida this week, including:

Newly elected Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri joined us to share his thoughts on the RNC, social justice in Duval, and more.

While students are enjoying summer break, local school districts are working on plans for the new school year, which is scheduled to begin in August, with a number of new coronavirus precautions in place. 

The City of Jacksonville announced on Monday that there will be a mandatory mask requirement for public and indoor locations, and environments that cannot practice social distancing. 

Due to a spike in new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations this week, many cities and counties in Florida are now requiring face coverings in public.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida this week, including:

A recent RABA Research poll commissioned by Republican Voters Against Trump found that 49% of those surveyed disapproved of Jacksonville hosting President Trump’s nomination speech, while only 39% supported it.

Coronavirus cases are surging in Florida, with more than 89,000 cases and 3,104 reported at the time of this story's publication. 

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable discussed some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida this week, including:

Now that the Supreme Court has made clear that companies cannot lay off or discriminate against workers based on their sexual orientation, we looked at what that will mean for Florida.

The nation's higest court made the surprise 6-3 ruling Monday, marking a major victory for the LGBTQ community. 

President Trump will now accept the Republican presidential nomination in Jacksonville in August.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable took a closer look at some of the top stories impacting Northeast Florida and beyond this week, including:

Florida Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), and Dr. Tra’Chella Johnson Foy, a past president of the Duval Medical Society, joined us to discuss the need for more coronavirus testing in vulnerable neighborhoods, and a number of other subjects – including the protests, unemployment, and the removal of a Confederate statue from Hemming Plaza early Tuesday morning.

People took to the streets across Florida this week - from Pensacola to Key West - marching against police violence and for racial justice.

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable examined some of the major stories impacting Northeast Florida and beyond this week, including:

As things quieted down after two days of sometimes violent clashes between local protestors and police, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry opted not to order a second curfew Monday night.

President Donald Trump is threatening to move the Republican National Convention out of Charlotte this summer unless North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper can assure "full attendance" will be allowed. Cooper has said North Carolina is guided by public health and nothing else. 

On Friday’s episode of First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, our Media Roundtable examined some of the major stories impacting Northeast Florida- and beyond - this week, including:

On Tuesday’s program, we discussed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to lift all restrictions on youth activities, including summer camps, immediately. Dr. Mark Hudak of UF Health Jacksonville and Jessica Morgan of Jacksonville Golf & Country Club and Jacksonville Mom, joined us for a closer look.

School districts are working on plans to welcome students and staff back into buildings this August. 

Florida gyms reopened this week, but with restrictions due to the pandemic. Black Hive Athletics owner Brent Parrish, shared the safety measures he is practicing and how his clients have been responding to them.

Some areas of Florida, such as Miami, are just beginning to reopen parts of their economy, while others, like Jacksonville, are planning to expand their reopening. Ron DeSantis announced Friday in Jacksonville that restaurants, stores, and museums can ramp up to operating at 50 percent capacity. Gyms can reopen Monday.