A former Navy officer, prosecutor and Northeast Florida lawmaker, Paul Renner believes he has the political bonafides to make a legitimate bid for governor in 2026. With one Trump-endorsed candidate in the race and another potential candidate already living in the governor’s mansion, Renner faces a steep uphill climb. But he also knows a little something about primary fights where close calls matter (having lost a 2014 primary by just two votes to the now politically invisible Jay Fant). We ask Renner what his path to victory looks like. He also takes your calls and questions at (904) 549-2973 and firstcoastconnect@wjct.org.
Guest:
- Paul Renner, former Florida speaker of the House, 2026 Florida gubernatorial candidate.
Then, an animator hailing from the First Coast tells a story of survival in six minutes. We ask Savannah College of Art and Design graduate student Emily Richmond about the inspiration behind her short film Inkwashed, a 3D cartoon catastrophe that was selected for a student showcase at the SCAD AnimationFest 2025 in September.
Guest:
- Emma Richmond, graduate student of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
And, it’s time for a fond fair-well. The Jacksonville Fair is about to begin its final run at the Downtown fairgrounds before its move to the city’s Westside. We ask organizers what’s planned at the Great Downtown Fair-Well, from the funnel cakes and fried Twinkies to the Tilt-A-Whirl, livestock exhibits and nostalgic nods to the event’s 70-year history. The fair has been held at the Downtown location since 1955 but is pulling up stakes for greener (and larger) pastures near Cecil Field, a long-planned move related to Sportsplex-area redevelopments. The fair runs Nov. 6-16 and provides discounted entry to students and service members.
Guest:
- Lisa Thomas, director of marketing and events, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair.
Plus, the nonprofit community theater 5 & Dime lifts the curtain on its 2026 season, which includes challenging and provocative shows like Alice by Heart. Created by the team behind the Broadway hit Spring Awakening, the show is described as “a bold reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, set in an air raid shelter during the London Blitz.” The 5 & Dime’s current show, Puffs, tells the story of Harry Potter’s now-adult classmates who are “old enough to question the ethics of sending children to fight evil.” Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, runs Nov. 7-15 at the peripatetic theater’s current home at The Florida Ballet on Atlantic Boulevard.
Guest:
- Denise M. Reagan, executive director of The 5 & Dime Theatre Co.