By uniting law enforcement, veterinarians, animal services and state attorneys across several judicial circuits, North Florida’s new animal cruelty task force seeks to enhance investigations and strengthen prosecutions of animal abusers. We speak with two task force members about how this collaboration marks a significant step forward in combating animal cruelty.
Guests:
- Dr. Adam Stern, veterinary forensic pathologist at the University of Florida.
- Bryan Shorstein, executive director at State Attorney's Office, 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Then, a local filmmaker is shining a spotlight on Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods through a new documentary. Moncrief Springs explores the effect tourism can have in helping preserve Black neighborhoods and protecting Black history.
Guests:
- Dana Michelle, executive producer of Moncrief Springs.
- Trey Ford, co-founder Black Films Matter.
- Kyle Dorrell, cinematographer and owner of Jax Film Lab.
And, the University of North Florida receives a $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to launch an archivist-in-training program. This three-year initiative will provide 30 undergraduate students with hands-on experience in archival preservation while working to protect and document Jacksonville’s African American history. Students will help preserve important collections, including the papers of philanthropist Eartha M.M. White, records of early 20th century jazz in LaVilla, and oral histories from the Gullah Geechee communities. We speak with those leading the program about its effect on students and the preservation of local history.
Guests:
- Laura Heffernan, English professor at the University of North Florida.
- Susan Swiatosz, head of special collections and university archives at the University of North Florida library.
- Adonnica Toler, museum director at the Eartha MM White Museum.
