Black firefighters who sued Jacksonville over a common skin problem have lost their case.
The firefighters went to court in 2020 arguing the fire department was wrongly burdening them by requiring them to be cleanshaven. They said it was a burden because they have a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae, or PFB. When people with PFB shave it can cause ingrown hairs, irritated skin and scarring.
The 30 local Black firefighters who sued asked to be allowed to wear close-trimmed beards on the job, but a federal judge said no.
Guest: Kimberly Allen, executive director of 904ward.
Jacksonville Film Festival
The 2023 Jacksonville Film Festival will take over the urban core this weekend, with three venues showing an exciting slate of independent films. One of those venues is WJCT Studios.
Guest: Tim Driscoll, artistic and programming director for the festival.
Would you survive on another planet?
Do you have what it takes to survive on another planet?
If you’re interested in exploring the answer to that question, you can do so at a new MOSH exhibit called “Planet Pioneers.”
Guest: Anthony Mortimer, vice president of education and exhibits at the Museum of Science & History.
‘What’s Good Wednesday’
- The St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University will host a free outdoor concert by the river from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at JU’s Riverfront Amphitheater.
- Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl Games and is replacing Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
- The Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project historic sailing vessel is stopping at cities on its way up the eastern seaboard and will be docked Downtown at Riverfront Plaza on Thursday.
- February’s First Wednesday Art Walk kicks off at 5 tonight.
- The Jacksonville Dance Theatre has two performances of "InBody" — an intimate studio concert of short, small cast works that highlight how dance uses movement as language — scheduled for this weekend.
- First Coast Blessings in a Backpack is bringing back the SOUPer Bowl after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Lumen Repertory Theatre of Greater Jacksonville — Northeast Florida’s only professional, equity-affiliated repertory theater company — has a launch party scheduled for Feb. 23 at Intuition Ale Works.
