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Logo of First Coast Connect featuring stylized text and a graphic of blue and yellow waves, representing the coastal community of Northeast Florida.
First Coast Connect
Weekdays LIVE at 9 a.m.; Rebroadcast at 8 p.m.

First Coast Connect is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, arts, activities across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, along with spot news features and a weekly roundtable of local journalists.

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Latest Episodes
  • telehealth
    Bridging the health insurance gap
    We examine a city partnership that aims to reach the uninsured through telemedicine.
  • First Coast Week in Review
    From broadened state book bans to investment in conspiracy science, our media panel unpacks the biggest headlines of the week.
  • To avoid misinformation, ask some questions of what you're reading or seeing: Is it paid for by a company or politician or other biased source? Is there good evidence? And are the numbers presented in context?
    Rolling back media protections
    A state bill would make it easier to file defamation lawsuits against news outlets.
  • Cindy Jenkins with her daughter, Taylor Jenkins
    No more 'free kill'?
    Lawmakers consider reversing a medical negligence exemption for doctors of unmarried and childless patients.
  • Hair hazards
    New research shows synthetic hair products marketed to Black women contain high levels of cancer causing substances.
  • One parent and substitute math teacher, Brian Covey, says his kid’s school library has just about 25 titles per grade from the state-approved Florida B.E.S.T. list., a set of books that align with state reading standards.
    Duval braces for first book ban debate
    The conversation that has inflamed school board meetings around the state is finally on the local board’s agenda.
  • Anthony Austin, evening anchor at First Coast News; David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union; Dan Scanlan, reporter at WJCT News; Randy DeFoor, attorney and former Jacksonville City Councilmember.
    First Coast Week in Review
    From a city government efficiency effort to police officers under fire, our media panel unpacks the week’s headlines.
  • Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, holds a chainsaw as he arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday in Oxon Hill, Md.
    The human cost of DOGE
    The First Coast hasn’t been spared in the wave of federal layoffs. We talk about the legal, emotional and practical implications for local workers.
  • Legislation and legal aid
    Local advocates for the poor are monitoring the recent actions of Tallahassee lawmakers.
  • Ask the Mayor
    From the local DOGE proposal to a push to abolish Florida’s property taxes, Mayor Donna Deegan discusses the latest headlines—and answers your questions.
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