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First Coast Connect

5/31/2017: Geraghty-AHCA; FDOT I-10/I-95; FCS- Maple Buscuit; MOSH Dinosaurs

  Today on “First Coast Connect,” we discussed the Affordable Care Act with Florida Blue CEO Pat Geraghty (01:13). Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Odette Struys (28:17) discusses big changes coming to area highways. This month’s “First Coast Success” segment  features the owners of the Maple Street Biscuit Company, Scott Moore and Gus Evans (37:53). And Museum of Science and History curator Paul Bourcier (44:25) told us about a new dinosaur exhibit. 

Florida Blue CEO on Healthcare Overhaul

Republican congressional leaders in Washington this week are trying to tamp down expectations that the Senate will pass an overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is promising a vote on the issue, but not necessarily success. Moderate and conservative Republicans can’t come to terms on what an overhaul would look like, particularly on issues like Medicaid and how to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, a new report released by the Congressional Budget Office underscored a variety of problems moderates have with the bill. It would leave 23 million more people uninsured by 2026 compared to Obamacare and increase premiums for older, low-income Americans by as much as 850 percent.

Changes Coming to I-10 and I-95

This week is the public’s chance to come out and learn about a major transportation project in downtown Jacksonville affecting thousands of commuters. Numerous changes are planned, from a new I-95/ I-10 interchange to Fuller Warren Bridge upgrades. The open house will be held 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.m Thursday at FDOT’s Training Center, 2198 Edison Avenue in Jacksonville.  

First Coast Success- Maple Street Biscuit Company

They are local restaurateurs who are seeing sweet success with a unique concept. The Maple Street Biscuit Company is one of the most popular restaurant chains in Northeast Florida. The owners spoke with Karen Brune Mathis about how they got started.

“Dinosaurs in Motion” at MOSH

MOSH’s summer exhibit “Dinosaurs in Motion”uses 14 fully interactive, anatomically inspired, recycled life-sized metal dinosaur sculptures to engage and educate. It runs until September. Also, the museum will debut a film titled “Seeing: A Photon’s Journey” at 5 p.m. Friday. It describes how human vision works. Friday’s movie will be audio described for the visually impaired.    

Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax

Kevin Meerschaert has left WJCT for new pursuits. He was the producer of First Coast Connect until October of 2018.